Iran develops technology to manufacture supersonic cruise missiles: Report
Military experts and technicians at the Iranian Defense Ministry have reportedly developed the technology to domestically design and manufacture a sophisticated cruise missile capable of traveling at high supersonic speeds.
The homegrown missile has been introduced as a new generation of Iranian cruise missiles and is currently in the testing stage, Tehran-based Tasnim News Agency reported Wednesday.
The report added that the missile will open a new chapter in Iran’s defense technologies, as it is extremely difficult to intercept a cruise missile flying at supersonic speeds.
Until now, Iranian cruise missiles relied on a rocket-assisted takeoff (RATO) engine in order to be launched and a homegrown turbojet engine, dubbed Tolou’ (Sunrise), for the second stage.
The employment of ramjet engines in naval cruise missiles and the development of supersonic cruise missiles are of paramount importance, as they will greatly enhance Iran’s response power in case of any military confrontation and prevent the invading forces from taking timely retaliatory measures.
A ramjet, or athodyd, is a variant of an air-breathing jet engine that does not include a rotary compressor; rather, it uses the forward motion of the engine to take in air for combustion that produces jet thrust.
Dena destroyer to be equipped with vertical launch missiles
Meanwhile, the domestically-manufactured Mowj class Dena destroyer is going to be furnished with state-of-the-art vertically-launched missiles in the near future.
Given the long-haul missions of destroyers, the impossibility of shore support in many cases and the variety of aerial threats, including fighter jets, drones and missiles, it is absolutely necessary to equip military vessels with air defense systems enjoying pinpoint accuracy, Tasnim said.
Iranian military experts and engineers have in recent years made remarkable breakthroughs in manufacturing a broad range of indigenous equipment, making the armed forces self-sufficient.
Officials have also repeatedly asserted that the country will not hesitate to strengthen its military capabilities, including its missile power, which are entirely meant for defense, and that Iran’s defense capabilities will be never subject to negotiations.
