Iran tests new smart bombs

Tehran's mass air force drill peaks as IRIAF tests fighter jets' new anti-missile systems, guided smart bombs said to have range of 40km

Ynetnews |Published: 09.14.11 , 14:46

Iran's fleet of fighter jets has been equipped with new anti-missile capability, allowing them to "detect and intercept all incoming missiles," the state-run Fars news agency reported on Wednesday.

The announcement, made by the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF), came in the midst of one of the biggest aerial exercises even held in Iran.

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The 10-day maneuvers, dubbed "Fadaeeyan-e Harim-e Vellayat III" ("those sacrificing themselves for the homeland 3"), are currently being held in country's northwestern region.

The new system's capability was demonstrated during the third phase of the exercise. The system is considered a breakthrough in design for the Iranian weapons and defense industry.

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The exercise also saw the IRIAF test other advanced weapons systems, including various air-to-surface and air-to-air missiles, as well as what has been called "super-heavy smart bombs,"

Air Force Commander Brig-Gen Hossein Chitforoush confirmed that an Iranian F-4 bomber had fired Qassed smart bombs, successfully hitting its targets, Fars reported

The 2000-pound smart bombs are said to posses a range of 40km, as well as smart guidance system.

Chitforoush also confirmed the successful test fire air-to-surface and air-to-air missiles. The Iranian made Saeqeh fighter jets also enjoys a successful test-run.

Iran's aerial exercise encompasses its entire fleet of fighter jets, bombers, cargo and transportation planes, including F-4, F-5, Sukhoi SU-24 bombers, Mig-29 jets and C-130 planes, as well as their own Saeqeh fighter jets.

The drill was announced shortly after Iran's Revolutionary Guard held a 10-day missile training exercise for ground troops. As part of the war games, Iran test fired its various ballistic missiles.