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Tentative Model
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Fins Characteristic
Analyst Note
This image shows the ‘manoeuvrable re-entry vehicle’ (MaRV; a detachable, steerable payload section) of an Iranian ballistic missile loaded with submunitions. It appears there are three different models of submunition loaded into the MaRV (black, blue, and red). The black and blue submunitions are most likely anti-personnel designs, whilst the red submunitions (indicated by a red box) are likely designed with penetrating or shaped-charge warheads to target vehicles or structures. Some submunitions may utilise time-delay fuzing, allowing for random detonations over several hours or days to hamper clearance efforts, denying use of the afflicted area. Reports have shown Iran has used ballistic missiles with mixed submunition loads, and suggest that this type of warhead can scatter its payload up to a radius of 8 km. (ARES)
External Research
CNN
““Iranian designers have probably turned to a high-altitude dispersal approach in part to minimize the chance of a successful ground-based interception,” said N.R. Jenzen-Jones, a munitions expert and the director of Armament Research Services, adding that the munitions are small and falling at high speeds. “Whilst there are Russian and Chinese munitions that employ a similar approach, Iranian examples appear to disperse a relatively small number of submunitions over a much wider target area – resulting in a less militarily efficient design.””