Iran was the first export customer of Chinese C-802 missiles. The contract was signed in 1995 but was cancelled due to U.S. pressure after 60 missiles had been delivered. After that, Iran started a program to reverse engineer the C-802.[2]
It is unknown when the programme was finished, but in 2000 and early 2001, Iran tested an upgraded C-802 missile during Unity-79 wargames. Officials said that the range of the missile is increased from 30 to 130 kilometres (19 to 81 mi).[3]
In January 2004, Iran announced that it has started manufacturing the DM-3B mono pulse radar for the Noor missile.[5] According to Iranian officials, DM-3B is a millimeter-wave active radar used in the last stage of missile flight to find the target and home-in the missile on it.[6] Because of its frequency, it is very hard to jam the radar, which is located inside the nosecone.[7]
In 2006, it was announced that the missile's range has been increased further to 170 km (110 mi).[8][9]
In 2011, another variant called Qader was unveiled by Iran with a range of 200 km (120 mi) and the ability to attack coastal targets. A video of the missile hitting its coastal target was published by the Iranian media.[10][11][12]
In early 2012, during Velayete-90 wargames, a Noor missile was tested with improvements in electronic systems, a more jam-resistant radar and better target acquisition algorithms. A Qader missile was also tested in the wargame.[13]
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