Fath 360
| Fath-360 | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Fath 360 missiles mounted on a 6x6 truck. | |
| Type | Tactical ballistic missile |
| Place of origin |  Iran |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Iran Russia Syria |
| Production history | |
| No. built | Unknown |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 787 kg (1,735 lb) (total weight)[1] 150 kg (330 lb) (warhead)[1] |
| Length | 5,175 mm (203.7 in) (Missile)[1] |
| Diameter | 368 mm (14.5 in)[1] |
| Effective firing range | 30–120 km (19–75 mi) |
| Warhead | High-explosive |
| Warhead weight | 150 kg (330 lb) |
| Maximum speed | Mach 3 (At Launch)[1]
Mach 4 (On Impact)[1] |
Guidance system | GNSS, INS |
| Accuracy | Less than 30 m (98 ft)[2] |
Fath-360 (Persian: فتح-۳۶۰), also known as BM-120, is an Iranian short-range satellite-guided tactical ballistic missile announced on the Islamic Republic of Iran Army Day, April 18, 2022. They are built by the Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO).[3]
History
[edit]On August 10, 2024, Reuters claimed that Russian soldiers were visiting Iran to train on the Fath 360, following up on a previous contract allegedly signed on December 13th between the two countries.[4] It was reported that Russia received the missiles on September 4, 2024.[5]
Design
[edit]
It is believed that Fath 360 is a shorter version of Fateh family of SRBMs.[6] Its light weight and small dimensions allow several of these missiles to be put on a truck-based launcher.
With 30 to 120 km (19 to 75 mi) of range, each can carry a 150 kg (330 lb) warhead and be launched with the speed of Mach 3 (1020 m/s). Then they connect to satellites for rapid homing and hit their targets with the speed of Mach 4 (1361 m/s).[7]
Missile
[edit]The Fath 360 was first shown under the name of Fath in a military exhibition on August 21, 2020. As a family of Fateh SRBMs, it is almost half the size of a Fateh-110. But it has the same configuration of fins. Four at the end of it near the exhaust, four other triangular shaped fins just above them and four small ones in front of missile near the nosecone.
Launcher
[edit]The missile is launched through a round launch container on a truck-based TEL. The Fath-360 launcher comes with two, three, four or six-round launch containers each carrying one missile. with these characteristics it can act like a GMLRS.
Guidance
[edit]Fath 360 uses GNSS guidance and is believed to be using GLONASS satellite navigation system as its guidance.[1] The missile is also believed to be using INS as a secondary guidance system. [1]
Operators
[edit]Operational history
[edit]Fath-360 was first test fired during the Eghtedar 1401 military drills at Nasrabad, Isfahan.[12]
Reports also say that Fath-360 has been used to attack the positions of KDPI in Northern Iraq on September 28, 2022.[13]See 2022 Koya bombings.
On April 11, 2023, the Iranian army received several Fath-360 systems in a ceremony.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h "Iran's new Fath 360 looks and acts like a HIMARS". 16 September 2022.
- ^ "پیامهای مهم عملیاتی شدن «فتح» در نزسا و نزاجا/ پای «تیربار موشکهای بالستیک» به نیروی زمینی ارتش باز شد +عکس". 10 September 2022.
- ^ "Iran to deliver hundreds of ballistic missiles to Russia soon, intel sources say".
- ^ Deutsch, Anthony; Balmforth, Tom; Landay, Jonathan (10 August 2024). "Exclusive: Iran to deliver hundreds of ballistic missiles to Russia soon, intel sources say". Reuters. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
- ^ "Russia Just Got 200 Ballistic Missiles from Iran. It's an Escalation of the War in Ukraine—And It Might Backfire on Russia". Forbes.
- ^ "Fath-360 and Ababil from iran for russia: What Are These Missiles and What Are the Main Differences from the Fateh-110?". Defense Express.
- ^ "آنچه در رزمایش اقتدار 1401 گذشت/ از شلیک موشک فتح 360 برای اولین بار تا عملیات شبانه بالگردها". Fars News Agency. 9 September 2022.
- ^ a b "Iran's Army Adds More Than 1000 New Combat Equipment". Caspian News. 12 April 2023.
- ^ "Intel Sources: Iran to Deliver Hundreds of Ballistic Missiles to Russia Soon".
- ^ Administrator. "Iran to Supply Fath 360 Ballistic Missiles to Russia for Use in Ukraine Conflict". www.armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- ^ Elijah J. Magnier (14 September 2024). ""Syria serves as Hezbollah's primary logistical corridor and a crucial centre for producing various missiles, including the medium-range Fateh 360, the long-range Fateh 110, advanced Scud missiles with an integrated modern GPS, and Burkan missiles."". X. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
- ^ "HIMARS Hysteria! Iran Claims Testing Indigenous Fath 360 Missiles That is 'Very Similar' to US Army's MLRS". 20 September 2022.
- ^ "Iran strikes Kurdish opposition groups with 'missiles, suicide drones". 28 September 2022.