Kowsar
Kowsar (C-701 copy)
TypeAnti-ship missile
Service history
In service2006
Production history
ManufacturerIran
Specifications
Mass100 kg
Length2.507 m
Diameter0.18 m
Wingspan0.587 m (unfolded); 0.450 m (folded)
Warhead29 kg time-delayed semi-armour-piercing high-explosive
EngineSolid rocket engine
Operational
range
15-20 km
Flight altitude15-20 m (flight)
Maximum speed Mach 0.8
Guidance
system
TV-homing, Infra-red, millimetre radar
Launch
platform
Ground-based vehicles and Zolfaghar class fast attack craft

Kowsar (Persian: کوثر) is a medium-range, land-based anti-ship missile made by Iran. It can defeat electronic jamming systems and "cannot be thrown off course", according to Iranian officials.[1]

The Kowsar designation apparently (Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance 2006) is used to refer to two different missiles: Iranian-produced versions of the PRC C-701 and the TL-10A.

Combat history

Some news reports indicate that this was the missile used on July 14, 2006 in the 2006 Lebanon War when Hezbollah fired two at Israeli warships.[2][3] One of the missiles hit the corvette INS Hanit, causing heavy damage and the deaths of four Israeli servicemen.[4] The other missile hit an Egyptian merchant ship causing heavy damage; it is reported that all the crew survived.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ IRGC test-fires super-modern flying boat Archived 2012-09-06 at archive.today
  2. ^ "Hizballah Brings out Iranian Silkworm to Hit Israel Navy Corvette (Iranian-made C-802)". Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  3. ^ Thomson Reuters Foundation. "Israel turning to Turkey to block Hizbollah arms, Reuters, Aug 17, 2006". Retrieved 13 November 2014. ((cite web)): |author= has generic name (help)
  4. ^ "IDF finds bodies of missing sailors aboard damaged Navy ship". Haaretz.com. 16 July 2006. Archived from the original on 18 July 2006. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  5. ^ Egypt confirms ship hit off Lebanon, crew safe[dead link]
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