Fateh-110


The Fateh-110, also known as NP-110 and Mushak, is an Iranian road-mobile single-stage solid-fueled surface-to-surface missile produced by Iran's Aerospace Industries Organization. The first generation of the Fateh-110 was flight tested in September 2002 and began mass production shortly thereafter. The initial range of the missile was 200 km and in September 2004 the second generation of the Fateh-110 increased the range to 250 km. The third generation of the missile, unveiled in 2010, increased the range to 300 km, and the fourth generation improved the accuracy.
The Fateh-110 was developed from Iran's Zelzal-2 unguided artillery rocket essentially through adding a guidance system. Later versions of the missile modify other aspects of the missile and improve range and payload. The Fateh-110 is also license-built in Syria as the M-600. The missile has been used in the Syrian Civil War by Iran and Syria. In addition to its confirmed use by these two countries, it is widely reported that the Fateh-110 has been exported to Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Development

After the Iran–Iraq War, Iran found out that it needed an accurate short-range missile, as its Zelzal and Naze'at rockets were unguided rockets and thus very inaccurate. Thus, 200 Chinese CSS-8 short-range missiles were bought in 1989. But those missiles did not satisfy Iranians because of their short range, relatively light warhead and bulky structure. So a project was assigned to Shahid Bagheri Industries to design and produce a guided short-range missile.
Development began in 1995 and Zelzal 2 was chosen for the basis of the missile. Reportedly Syria also joined the program and produced its version called M-600. In 2006 the US Department of the Treasury accused Great Wall Industry, a Chinese corporation and its partners for playing a lead role in the development of the Fateh missile system, as Iran had no previous experience with solid fuelled ballistic missiles. The first tests, which occurred in 2002, were successful, and the missile was put into production.

Variants

First generation

In 2002 the first generation of Fateh-110 began test flighting and entered service in 2002, it had a range of 200 km.

Second generation

In 2004, the second generation Fateh-110 was unveiled, with the range improved to 250 km. This version appears to be offered for export.

M-600

It seems, as of 2008, that the Syrian M-600 is based on the second generation Fateh-110. In 2010 the Israeli press claimed that Syria has given hundreds of M-600 missiles to Hezbollah.

Third generation

In 2010, the third generation Fateh-110 was tested by Iran. Iranian defense minister Ahmad Vahidi stated that accuracy, range, reaction time and storage capability in different parts of the country are increased. After that Iranian TV provided footage of the test and the impact. Some time later, it was delivered to IRGC. The range of the missile was stated as 300 km.

Anti-ship ballistic missile variants

In 2011, Iran unveiled the Khalij Fars anti-ship ballistic missile. It is clearly based on the Fateh-110 and shares the range of 300 km with the third version.
In 2017 Iran showed a test-fire of the Hormoz-2 missile, saying it destroyed a 6 m target from 250 km away. Iranian news described the Hormoz-2 as an anti-ship ballistic missile and an anti-radiation missile.

Fourth generation

On August 2012 Iran successfully test-fired the fourth generation Fateh-110.

Zolfaghar

The Zolfaghar is an Iranian tactical ballistic missile believed to be based in the Fateh-110 family and the first ballistic missile of any sort openly used by Iran in a foreign conflict. Unlike the other members of the Fateh-110 family, which are often described as quasi-ballistic missiles, the Zolfaghar flies a true ballistic trajectory. The missile's claimed range of 700 km is considered largely true based on the 2017 Deir ez-Zor missile strike; this apparently results from replacing the metal body of the Fateh-110 with composite, saving substantial weight. However, doubts have been raised about its reliability and accuracy, and Jane's assesses that the Zolfaghar's performance is poor.
The Zolfaghar are believed to use commercial GNSS systems to improve accuracy. Zolfaghar serial numbers may begin "ZB–".

Fateh Mobin

In 2018, Iran unveiled the Fateh Mobin guidance kit, an upgrade for Fateh-110 missiles. According to Iranian Defence Minister Amir Hatami, it can be retrofitted to members of the Fateh-110 family up to the Zolfaghar. The Fateh Mobin is believed to be an infrared imaging sensor for terminal guidance.

Operational history

Iran

As of 2017, Iran is assessed as having less than 100 launchers for all Fateh-110 variants.
It is believed that during the January 8, 2020 missile attack of the US military bases in Iraq, Iran used the Fateh-110 missile.

Syria

On 3 and 5 May 2013, Israel said it had hit a shipment of Fateh-110 in Syria that were "destined for Hezbollah". Israel said it would not tolerate "game changing weapons" falling into the hands of Hezbollah. On 18 May Israeli media claimed that the Syrian army had aimed a battery of Tishreen missiles, Syria's version of Iran's Fateh-110, at Tel Aviv according to reconnaissance satellites. These missiles are believed to see possible use as a deterrent against further Israeli airstrikes on Syrian targets.
According to two unnamed U.S. military officials, the Syrian Government fired at least two Fateh A-110 missiles in late December 2012. The firing of these missiles appeared to be an effort to more precisely target Syrian rebels.
In late November 2014, Iranian and Lebanese sources confirmed that Hezbollah had received Iranian Fateh-110 guided ballistic missiles and inducted them into their missile arsenal. With a range, Fateh-110 missiles fired from Lebanon could hit targets anywhere in Israel up to the northern Negev. Israel has regarded deliveries of such missiles as justification for preemptive response, as the previous year it attacked missile shipments, transport convoys, and storage sites in Syria and Lebanon to prevent these and other missile types from being acquired by Hezbollah.

Design

The missile body is very similar to that of the Zelzal 2. It has the same diameter of 610 mm and a length of 8.86 m.
The Fateh-110 has three sets 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. Of the three sets of fins on the missile, only the front ones are movable.

Transport

The Fateh-110 uses three different transporter-erector-launchers. The first one has a similar mechanism with SA-2 and is based on a Mercedes-Benz 6x6 truck. The second TEL is also used by newer versions of Zelzal rockets and again uses the Mercedes-Benz platform. The third one is an indigenous TEL called Zolfaghar that is able to carry two missiles instead of one.

Table

Operators

State-operators

Hezbollah-It is widely reported that Iran delivered hundreds of Fateh-110 missiles to Hezbollah in Lebanon.