Iran test new Missile

Iran Test-Fires Air Defense System "Successfully"
TEHRAN (FNA)- Top Iranian air defense commanders announced that the country has "successfully " test-fired a new home-made air defense system, called Mersad.




Commander of Khatam-ol-Anbia Air Base Brigadier General Farzad Esmayeeli said that Mersad air defense system and Shahin missiles - fired by Mersad systems - have been successfully test-fired and supplied to the country's air defense unit.

The ground-to-air Shahin missile is able to hit enemy jet fighters and helicopters at supersonic speed. The Mersad system is equipped with sophisticated radar signal processing technology, an advanced launcher, and electronic targeting and guidance systems.

Esmayeeli also said that Iran's radar network has been optimized and is currently in a "very suitable" condition.

In April, 2011, Iran successfully test-fired two mid-range Hawk missiles named 'Shahin' capable of tracing and targeting aggressive aircraft at low and medium altitudes.

The two Shahin missiles were launched from the home-made Mersad air defense system.

The Mersad air defense shield is a completely indigenized system developed by the Iranian experts and technicians to promote the country's combat power. The system was deployed in all Army air-defense units on Sunday to boost the country's air-defense power.

The Mersad system equipped with Shahin missiles is capable of tracing and targeting any enemy aircrafts at 70 to 150km altitude and is considered as a mid-altitude system among the country's missile defense shields.