al-Abbas
TypeShort-range ballistic missile
Place of originIraq
Service history
In serviceAbandoned[1][2][3]
Specifications
Length14.51 m[2]
Diameter0.89 m[2]
Payload capacity140[1][2]-450[3] kg, Chemical and Biological capable[3]
PropellantLiquid propelled[2]
Operational
range
800[1][2]-950[3] km
Guidance
system
Inertial guidance
Accuracy5000 m CEP[2]
Launch
platform
MAZ-7310
References

The al-Abbas missile was an Iraqi Short-range, Surface-to-surface Ballistic missile that was a longer range version of the al-Hussein missile designed to reach most of the Middle East[1][2][3] including the Strait of Hormuz.[1] It too was a Scud missile derivative.[1][3]

History

The Scud missiles obtained by Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War did not prove helpful as the range of the missiles were only 300 km (190 mi) and could not reach the Iranian capital Tehran.[1] The Iraqis would then develop the Al-Hussein missile and later on make the al-Abbas missile which would have an even longer range.[1][2][3] In April 1988 the missile was successfully tested,[1][3] reports suggest that the Iraqis achieved its high range of 800 km (500 mi) by increasing fuel capacity, lengthening the size of fuel tanks, cannibalizing oxidizer and propellant tanks from other Scuds and decreasing the regular Scud Payload from 800 to 140 kg (1,760 to 310 lb).[1] The Iraqis however did not use it later on due to poor missile guidance and flight instability.[2] It is still unknown whether this missile reached operational status and was stockpiled or not.[1]

Characteristics

The al-Abbas missile was designed to have a range of 950 km (590 mi)[3] however sources suggest that it could only fly up to 800 km (500 mi).[1][2] It had a diameter of 0.88 m (2 ft 11 in) just like the Scud missile however its length was 14.50 m (47.6 ft) opposed to 11.5 m (38 ft) of the previous scud missile.[1] The Iraqis had reduced the payload of the scud missile to about 140–450 kg (310–990 lb), sources suggest that it was chemical/biological warhead capable.[3] The al-Abbas missile itself was only accurate within a range of 500 m (1,600 ft)[3] and it had a CEP of 5,000 m (16,000 ft).[2] The missile was said to be unstable because it would tumble about its centre of gravity on reentry,[1] it also had poor guidance.[2]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "al-Abbas - Iraq Special Weapons". Federation of American Scientists. Archived from the original on 19 August 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Iraq". Nuclear Threat Initiatives. Archived from the original on 31 October 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Iraq's Missile Program Profile". Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control. Archived from the original on 25 January 2018.
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