The Missile Shower System[6] (Persian: سامانه تیربار موشکی) is an automated, rail-mounted multiple ballistic missile launcher designed to enable a rapid barrage of medium range ballistic missiles (MRBMs) to be launched from Iran's underground missile silos. Each system has the ability to carry and fire five Emad precision-guided missiles with a range of 1700 km and maneuverable warheads as shown in the unveiling-ceremony. The system has been built by the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and was unveiled on November 4, 2020.[7][8][9]]
| Missile Shower System | |
|---|---|
| Type | Ballistic missile launcher |
| Place of origin |  Iran[1][2][3][4][5] |
| Service history | |
| In service | Since 2020 |
| Used by | Islamic Republic of Iran |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Iran (IRGC) |
| Designed | 4 November 2020 (unveiling) |
| Manufacturer | IRGCAF |
| Produced | Since 2020 |
Overview
editEach system consists of a rail mounted wagon with the ability to vertically carry five missiles, the vertically-stowed missile "magazine" then brings the groups of missiles into their launch positions for rapid, consecutive launching from the underground silo.[10][11][12] This system is the first of its kind, and has no parallels anywhere else in the world in the missile arsenals of other countries.[13]
The Shower System offers several advantages compared to the conventional method of launching a single missile from a single silo at a time:
- In a total war scenario, especially fighting an enemy with air superiority (e.g. the U.S.), when underground silos can only launch missiles one at a time, they can only launch a few missiles before being detected and hit by a counter strike. The missile magazine system allows Iran to launch significantly more missiles before any likely retaliation.[11]
- It allows Iran to overwhelm enemy anti-ballistic missile defense systems with a rapid barrage of a large number of medium-range ballistic missiles.[10][11]
- Since the missiles on their individual platforms are ready to fire, there is no need to reload individual launchers using a crane or trans-loader, thus storing the missiles more efficiently and taking up less space at the site.[10][12]
A missile magazine-type base has been discovered to be under construction near Khorgo, Hormozgan Province.[14][15]
Unveiling
editThe Iranian "Missile Shower System" has been unveiled[8][9] on 4 November 2020 by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander Major General Hossein Salami. Salami said at the mentioned unveiling ceremony: "Our missile power guarantees the withdrawal of enemies (from the region)." He also added: our deterrent and defense capabilities provide Iran with great power which supports the country in demonstrating its political will and imposing it on the enemy if necessary.[13][16]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ The details of the operationalization of "ballistic missile fire" in the ground forces of the IRGC/Iranian artillery is ready to suppress the Patriot systems in the region
- ^ Emad was placed in the "missile fire" magazine of the IRGC/unveiling of a special launcher for Iranian long-range ballistics
- ^ "IRGC missile fire" was unveiled
- ^ Unveiling of the IRGC's new aerospace missile system/barrage firing of long-range ballistic missiles
- ^ The unveiling of a new advanced missile system by the IRGC
- ^ "Iranian press review: IRGC sends a message to Biden with new missile launcher".
- ^ IRGC unveils a new missile system bbc.com, Retrieved 6 November 2020
- ^ a b Iran unveils homemade ballistic missile launcher xinhuanet.com
- ^ a b Unveiling of the "Ballistic Missile Launcher" system aparat.com, Retrieved 6 November 2020
- ^ a b c Newdick, Thomas (4 November 2020). "Iran Now Has Mobile Ballistic Missile Launching "Magazines" For Its Underground Bases". The Drive. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
- ^ a b c Hambling, David. "Iran Shows Off Rapid-Fire Underground Missile Base That Could Be Game-Changing". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
- ^ a b "i24NEWS". www.i24news.tv. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
- ^ a b IRGC Unveils New Ballistic Missile System radiofarda.com, Retrieved 6 November 2020
- ^ Lieser, Ethen Kim (2021-03-18). "Satellite Images: Iran Constructs New Ballistic Missile Launch Positions". The National Interest. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
- ^ Lab, The Intel (2021-03-17). "Iran has built new ballistic missile launch positions, satellite images show". The Intel Lab. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
- ^ Iran unveils new missile launching system al-monitor.com, Retrieved 6 November 2020