RAAD (anti-tank missile)

RAAD
Type	Anti-tank missile
Place of origin	Iran
Service history
In service	1997 - Present
Used by	Iran Hezbollah
Wars	2006 Lebanon War
Production history
Designer	KBM[1]
Manufacturer	Parchin Missile Industries, Defense Industries Organization[2]
Produced	1995
Number built	1,500 missiles[3] 2,250 by 2004[4]
Variants	See Variants
Specifications
Weight	11.78 kg (Missile) 23 kg (Guidance System)
Length	982 mm
Effective firing range	400 - 3000 m[5]
Speed	120 m/s
Guidance system	MCLOS

The RAAD (Persian: رعد, meaning "thunder"‎‎) family of missiles is manufactured in Iran and based on the Soviet 9K11 Malyutka anti-tank guided missile with a range of a few kilometres. It is not to be confused with Iran's Ra'ad anti ship missile and Pakistan's Ra'ad cruise missile.^[6]

From 1996 to 2004, a total of 2,250 RAAD missiles were produced in Iran.^[4]

History

It was said that plans to start production of the RAAD started in 1994 when Chinese and North Korean assistance was enlisted in producing missiles to boost its domestic weapons industry^[7] followed by actual production in 1995^[4] with the actual weapon being unveiled by Defense Industries Organization on April 30, 1997.^[8] Due to shortage of Western-made anti-tank weapons, it forced Iran to seek out alternate anti-tank weapons that included the purchase of the 9K11 Malyutka.^[9]

In 1998, it was reported that Iran had begun producing an improved version of the Russian AT-3B . The new missile was called the Improved Raad or I-Raad with improvements that include a new front airframe fitted with a tandem high explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead.^[2]

Israel had captured some quantities of the RAAD on the Karine A in January 2002.^[10]

Combat use

Hezbollah said they used variants of the RAAD in the 2006 Lebanon War.^[11] Iran was said to have supplied Hezbollah with the RAAD.^[12]

Variants

I-RAAD

For Improved RAAD, it includes an upgraded tandem warhead that would defeat ERA.^[6] A video camera-based SACLOS guidance system is also implemented,^[2] mounted on a tripod.^[9]

I-RAAD-T

Improvements include a new tandem warhead system and a new frame.^[5][13] All RAAD and I-RAAD missiles can be changed to the I-RAAD-T version by possibly changing the warhead and missile frame.^[5][13]

Equipment

The RAAD has almost the same gear as the 9K11 Malyutka, from the battery to the guidance unit with a simulator that can be used to train two operators on using the RAAD.^[2][14]

Operators

•  Iran
• Hezbollah

See also

• Iran's missile forces
• Hezbollah rocket force

References

1. Based on the producer of the 9K11 Malyutka
2. "Parchin". 2008-10-15. Retrieved 2009-01-12.
3. Ракетная промышленность, Военная промышленность Ирана (in Russian). War Online. 2002-12-19. Retrieved 2009-01-12.
4. "Transfers and licensed production of major conventional weapons: Imports sorted by recipient. Deals with deliveries or orders made 1994-2004" (PDF). Retrieved 2009-02-21.
5. I-RAAD-T brochure
6. Iran Builds Cruise Missile. Retrieved on May 12, 2008.
7. "Missile Chronology, 1994". Nuclear Threat Initiative. May 2006. Archived from the original on July 4, 2008. Retrieved 2009-01-12.
8. "Missile Chronology, 1997". Nuclear Threat Initiative. February 2006. Archived from the original on February 27, 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-12.
9. "AIO Raad Anti-Tank Guided Weapon (Iran), Vehicle-mounted anti-tank guided weapons". Jane's Information Group. 2008-07-02. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
10. Kirill & Oleg Granovsky (2002-07-20). "Weapons Found on 'Karine-A' and 'Santorini'". Retrieved 2009-02-20.
11. Riad Kahwaji (2006-08-20). "Arab States Eye Better Spec Ops, Missiles". Ocnus.Net. Retrieved 2009-01-12.
12. "Iran Replenishes Hizbullah’s Arms Inventory, Jane’s Defence Weekly". 2007-01-03. Retrieved 2009-02-21.
13. "AT-3 SAGGER Anti-Tank Guided Missile". Retrieved 2009-01-19.
14. "RAAD series anti-tank weapon systems (Iran), Anti-tank weapons". Jane's Information Group. 2008-12-31. Archived from the original on February 27, 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-20.