Iran's Indigenous Precision Guided Munitions

***This is an updated version of an earlier piece***
 

Iran's Indigenous Precision Guided Munitions

Zoobin (AGM-379)
The Zoobin (Arrow/Dart/Javelin) belongs to the first generation of Iranian PGMs that also includes the Qadr. The missile was first publicly seen in 2002 and since then a mockup has been a common site during various military parades in Tehran. (1)

Early versions of the Zoobin without the distinctive mid-body swept wings (Source Unknown)

The missile is built around the 750 lb (343 kg) M117 general purpose bomb which forms the middle section of the missile. Four large wings in a cruciform pattern are bolted to the warhead, attaching it to the rocket motor.

The solid-fuel rocket motor at the rear of the missile is designated the M116 which matches the pattern of US rocket motor designation (for instance, the HAWK SAM motor is the M112) but no known exact designation. (2) There are four small aerodynamic control surfaces, also in a cruciform pattern, mounted on the motor, which are connected to the guidance unit at the front of the missile via control lines running along the body.

Zoobin (M-ATF)

The guidance unit at the front of the missile contains a daylight TV seeker that bears a close resemblance to the seeker on the AGM-65A Maverick also used by the IRIAF.Besides the physical resemblance, the optical-seeker's connection to the AGM-65A is betrayed by it's 5-degree FOV which was enlarged on later AGM-65 models. (3) One difference found on the Zoobin however is that the section that houses the missile electronics is noticeably longer then on the AGM-65A though the exact implication for this is unknown at this point.

The choice of the AGM-65A seeker for a long-range, rocket-powered weapon like the Zoobin is a troubling choice because the seeker's sensitivity is such that it can only lock onto a target at around 5 km. (4) One way to get around this would be to use some sort of optical targeting pod to designate the target. It would also be presumptuous to assume that Iran hasn't modified the seeker to work at the longer ranges involved.

The operational status of this PGM is unknown. It is asserted by some that the missile entered service in the mid to late 1990s. (5) There is the possibility however that like many other IRIAF projects it was tested on several aircraft but then was abandoned. If it was deployed, it would be carried by the F-4

Specifications: AGM-679/20 (6)
Length: 3.18 m
Diameter: 40.6 cm
Wing Span: 1.23 m
Warhead Weight: 340 kg HE
Total Weight: 560 kg
Minimum Range: 20 km (7)


Qadr (GBU-67)
Belonging to the same generation as the Zoobin, the Qadr (Force) is an unpowered glide bomb. Like the Zoobin, it was developed during the Iran-Iraq war but was first seen publicly in 2002. (8) It likely traces it's lineage to the US's GBU-8 HOBOS which Iran imported in extremely small numbers in the waning days of the IIAF. (9)

Qadr (M-ATF)

Like the GBU-8, four strakes run the length of the Mk. 84 bomb broadening out near the rear of the bomb. The Qadr uses the same guidance payload as the Zoobin which is connected to the four control surfaces at the rear of the bomb via a conduit running alongside the outside of the missile. (see above for a detailed description of the seeker)

Qadr TV-Seeker (Source Unknown, possibly Jane's)

It can be carried by both the F-4E as well as the F-5E/F. (10) Like the Zoobin, the status of this project is unknown and it may or may not be deployed. It's possible that this project has been supplanted by the Qassed which is also a TV-guidance kit for the 2,000 lb Mk. 84.

Specifications: GBU-67/9A (11)
Length: 4.11 m
Diameter: 45.7 cm
Wing Span: 111.8 cm
Total Weight: 1,111 kg
Max Range: 20-60 km (12)
Guidance: TV

Qassed-1 (GBU-78)
The Qassed (Herald/Messenger)is one of the more recent developments in Iranian precision guided munitions; it was first mentioned in 2006 when then-DM Najjar discussed the development of a "2,000 lb smart bomb" that would be tested in the upcoming Blow of Zolfaqar wargames. (13) Apparently the testing went well because one year later the defense minister inaugurated the production line of the Qassed alongside production of additional small arms ammunition. (14) Because it is an optical-guidance kit for the Mk. 84 the Qassed may be the replacement for the Qadr/GBU-67. This isn't surprising given the Qassed's uncanny resemblance to the GBU-15(V)1B which itself was the successor to the GBU-8.

Qassed-1/GBU-78/A (Sejil.ir)

Qassed seeker (Fars News)

The Qassed is built around the Mk. 84 general-purpose bomb and features four large "long-chord" wings in a cruciform pattern connecting the Mk.84 to the control portion at the rear of the bomb which features aerodynamic control surfaces similar to the Qadr. Four strakes in the same configuration as the wings bridge the gap between the Mk.84 and the guidance section at the front of the bomb.

...and seeker picture

The guidance section appears to be the same as that found on the Qadr and Zoobin, that is, taken from the AGM-65A. While Iran may have made unknown modifications to it, the glass dome cover indicates that it still retains daylight-only capability rather then infrared which would require a dome cover made of exotic materials. 

Compared with the Qadr and Zooban, we can say with a much greater degree of certainty that the Qassed is actually being produced and deployed. During the testing of the weapon we saw it being deployed from the F-4E which was able to carry two of the weapons, one on each inner wing pylon. While the F-4E might have a greater overall capacity then this, this configuration is likely to be the practical limit in any given scenario.

Qassed being deployed from an F-4E

Qassed-2
A development of the Qassed-1, the Qassed-2 was first referenced in Spring 2010 when Air Force commander Shahsafi announced plans to test the improved missile. While no concrete details were given, and no pictures have yet been seen, the missile was advertised as featuring " longer range, more accuracy and enjoys more explosive power than its previous version."(15) Unfortunately these types of claims are commonplace in just about every new weapons announcement from rifles to ballistic missiles so they should not be taken as providing any unique insight onto the weapons performance.

Qassed-3
The Qassed-3 represents the next major evolution of the Qassed platform; it was first seen during the Sacred Defence Week 2010 parade and then later referenced by the Deputy Commander of the IRIAF, General Aziz Nasirzadeh when he described it as being in the testing phase as of February 2011. (16) It is very similar to the US's AGM-130 which itself was a development of the GBU-15.

Qassed 3 (M-ATF)

The most important change from the original Qassed is the addition of a strap-on solid rocket booster to extend the range of the system. This feature is of course what differentiates the AGM-130 from the GBU-15. Unfortunately, the exact designation of the Qassed-3 remains unknown.

The next most significant change is that it may not be built around the Mk.84 warhead like the Qassed-1. While the difference is minor, the shaping of the bomb may indicate that at least one version of the Qassed-3 may use a penetrator rather then a general purpose bomb in the same way the AGM-130A uses the Mk.84 and the AGM-130C uses the BLU-109. This is visible in the slightly narrower body of the Qassed-3 and the way the slightly-oval warhead tapers into parallel lines before the point where it happens on the Qassed-1.  However, at this stage, the evidence is still far from definitive and further research must be done.

The seeker at the front of the warhead appears to be the same as on the other versions - a daylight TV camera derived from the AGM-65A. Unlike the others however which we can say may have been modified or supplemented in some way it would be impossible for this missile to function without some form of supplementary guidance. It's extreme range (for comparison, the AGM-130 has a range of around 65 km) means that some type of inertial navigation system would have to be used before the TV seeker could be engaged. A data-link would also enable the WSO to fly the missile before selecting a final target with the TV seeker. (17)

Assuming the missile was still being tested as of early 2011, it will still be some time before this weapon is fielded with Iran's fleet of F-4s.

Sattar-1
The Sattar-1 (Star) is the first in Iran's family of indigenously developed laser-guided bombs and missiles. Oddly enough, it was not developed from the first laser-guided weapons that Iran ever received, the GBU-10. Instead it traces its history to the French AS-30L which Iran would have received in the several plane-loads full of spares and weapons that fled Iraq to escape the onslaught of US airpower in 1991.It is seen very rarely with the designation "Asre-67".

Sattar-1 (M-ATF)

Physically the missile is vaguely reminiscent of the AGM-65 crossed with the AIM-54. At the front of the missile is a semi-active laser homing (SALH) seeker derived from the AS-30L. (18) Behind the missile guidance section are four large cropped-delta wings also reminiscent of the AS-30L. Finally, at the tail-end of the missile is the solid-fuel rocket engine and four control surfaces mounted in the same cruciform pattern as the wings.

The model most often displayed to the public does not appear to be the final version of the missile. The Sattar-1C has a slightly different appearance though it's unclear in exactly what way the missile has been changed. (19)

Sattar-"1C" (Source Unknown)

The missile was reported to have entered production in 1999 and can be carried by both the F-4 and F-5. (20)


Specifications: Sattar-1 (21)
Length: 2.5 m
Diameter: 30 cm
Weight: 210 kg
Warhead: 55 kg HE
Range: 20 km


Sattar-2
Possible design prototype for the Sattar-3. Only external difference between it and the Sattar-3 is a slightly shorter rocket engine.

Sattar-2 (Source Unknown)

Sattar-3
The most frequently seen of the entire Sattar family, this missile is often seen on parades and static display. It is occasionally labelled with the designation "Asre-67". It is unclear the significance of this; one explanation would be that one is Iran's conventional designation and that the other is for development or external sale. Or then again, perhaps it's only to meant to confuse.

Asre-67, aka Sattar-3 (Sejil.ir)

Unlike the Sattar-1, the wings on the Sattar-3 have been shortened considerably and moved to the rear of the missile, though the still retain the cropped-delta configuration. The control surfaces have been shifted from the rear to the front of the missile. The missiles rocket engine, meanwhile, has been lengthened.

The SALH seeker now features a gimbaled head that closely resembles the Paveway-2 family and the KAB-1500L, and may even be influenced by them. (22) The missile is most commonly displayed alongside the "TLS-99" laser-targeting pod which is thought to be derived from the French ATLIS-II, which makes logical sense if Iran recieved them alongside the AS-30L. (23) It is rumored that the missile has also been tested with an optical seeker. While no confirmation can be given of this it's not all that unusual to make a single missile with multiple types of seekers (the KAB-1500 is one example of this). (24) Judging from other bombs in the class, the CEP of the Sattar-3 would probably be under 10 m.

TLS-99 laser designator (M-ATF)

The operational status of this missile is unknown.


Specifications: Sattar-3
Weight: "500 lb" (25) 
Range: 30 km (26)


Sattar-??
First displayed during Sacred Defense Week 2010, this mystery Sattar resembles the KAB-250L as well as, to a lesser degree, the GBU-12.

Latest version of the Sattar (Far right) (M-ATF)

Unlike the earlier Sattar series, this model appears to be a bomb-kit for the Mk.82 similar to the Paveway bombs rather then the purpose-made Soviet/Russian LGBs. The guidance section at the front of the bomb/missile is substantially narrower then that found on either the Sattar-1 or Sattar-3. Four trapazoidal fins are mounted on what is possibly a rocket motor (an assumption stemming from the fact that all earlier Sattars are missiles rather then glide bombs).

Kite
The "Kite" is a stand-off sub-munitions dispenser similar in function to the German BK-90.

Both versions of the Kite (M-ATF)

There are two known versions of the dispenser, one with 172 bomblets, and one with 184. Both fire combined AP/AT munitions.

Stand-off capability is provided by four glide wings and a rocket engine. Rather then using a terminal seeker like the other PGMs, the Kite relies on GPS-INS to bring it over it's target. (27)

The Kite can be carried by both the F-4 and the F-5 (28)

Kites mounted on an F-4

Specifications: Kite (29)
Range: 15 km


End Notes and Works Cited:
(1) Jane's Information Group. http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Air-Launched-Weapons/Zoobin-AGM-379-20-and-Yasser-Iran.html
(2) History of the Missiles of Iran - 4. Saff Magazine. No. 357. p.46
(3) ibd Saff Magazine. Readers fluent in Persian are encouraged to review this passage as my understanding of Persian is rudimentary at best and Google Translate leaves much to be desired, thus the comparison to the A-model may or may not be misplaced.
(4) F-16 Net. http://www.f-16.net/f-16_armament_article4.html (Note: readers are encouraged to visit this site for a description of how the launch process works for the AGM-65 which would also describe the process for a weapon like the Zoobin)
(5) Iranian PGMs. ACIG Forum. September 17th 2007.
(6) ibd Saff Magazine
(7) Although it is listed as the "minimum range", it's most likely that this refers to the maximum range.
(8) Jane's Information Group. http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Air-Launched-Weapons/Qadr-Iran.html
(9) Iran-Iraq War in the Air 1980-1988. Tom Cooper and Farzad Bishop. Schiffer Military History. 2000. P. 29
(10) ibd Saff Magazine
(11) ibd Saff Magazine
(12) The reported range of 20-60 km is rather unusual since it is an un-powered glide bomb. While an extremely high altitude release could extend the range, 60 km is still rather exceptional given that the GBU-15 (roughly in the same class as the GBU-67) has a range of 15 km when deployed from high altitude.
(13) Iran Builds 2,000-pound Guided Bomb: Minister. Mehr News. September 6th 2006. http://www.mehrnews.com/en/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsID=377194
(14) Fars News Photo Gallery. http://www.farsnews.com/imgrep.php?nn=8606040499
(15) Iran Says New Guided Bomb Ready for Test. PressTV. March 1st 2010. http://edition.presstv.ir/detail/119775.html
(16) Iran's Air Force Upgrades Home-Made Smart Bomb. Fars News. February 3rd 2011. http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8911140588
(17) Boeing (Rockwell) AGM-130. Designation Systems. 2004. http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-130.html (Note: readers are encouraged to visit this site for a description of how the launch process works for the AGM-130 which sheds some light on the various ways the Qassed-3 may differ from it's predecessors)
(18) ibd Saff Magazine
(19) ibd ACIG Forums
(20) ibd Saff Magazine
(21) ibd Saff Magazine
(22) ibd Saff Magazine
(23) ibd ACIG Forums
(24) ibd Saff Magazine
(25) Placards on parade label the Sattar-3 as a 500-lb class bomb. Of course, like all 250, 500, 1000 and 2,000 lb bombs, these designations are approximate and their weight can vary by the low tens-of-kg.
(26) ibd Saff Magazine
(27) ibd Saff Magazine