Sejil-1/2/3
TypePrecision-guided hypersonic Strategic MRBM
Service history
In serviceIn service as of 2014
Used byIran
Production history
ManufacturerIran
Specifications
Mass22.5 tonnes[1]
Length18.2 m[1]
Diameter1.25 m[1]
Warhead weight500-1,500 kg[2]
PropellantSolid fuel
Operational
range
2,000[3]-2,500 km[1][4] (Hybrid mode 4500 km)
Maximum speed Mach 14 (4,300 m/s)
Guidance
system
Inertial - GPS
Accuracy20 m CEP
Launch
platform
Mobile launcher[5]

Sejil, or Sejjil, (Persian: سجیل, a Quranic word meaning "baked clay", see Surat al-Fil) is a family of Iranian solid-fueled medium range ballistic missiles. The Sejil are replacements for the Shahab liquid-fueled ballistic missiles. According to US Pentagon sources, the missile profile of the Sejil closely matches those of the Ashura, Ghadr-110 and the Samen.[5] The Sejil-2 was seen in the Great Prophet 15 war games conducted by Iran on 15 January 2021.[6]

Design

According to Jane's Information Group, details of the design other than the number of stages and that it uses solid fuel have not been released. Uzi Rubin, former director of Israel's Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, indicated that, "Unlike other Iranian missiles, the Sajil bears no resemblance to any North Korean, Russian, Chinese or Pakistani (missile technology). It demonstrates a significant leap in Iran's missile capabilities." Rubin went on to state that the Sejil-1 " ... places Iran in the realm of multiple-stage missiles, which means that they are on the way to having intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capabilities ..."[7]

The missile utilizes composite solid fuel and unlike the Shahab-3 medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM), which is launched only vertically, the Sejil could be launched at a variable angle.[8] As a weapon, Sejil presents much more challenge to Iran's potential enemies, as solid-fuel missiles can be launched with much less notice than liquid-fueled missiles, making them more difficult to strike prior to launch.[9]

Political commentator Kiyan Nader Mokhtari elaborated more about the features of the new missile. "The engine and various fuels have been tested and the platform is now highly reliable. The latest tests to be carried out are mainly to do with the variety of warheads that it has to carry," he said. "Some of the warheads obviously have been designed to be able to evade anti-ballistic missile defenses of the enemy in actual battle conditions," he added.

Iran claims that if launched from the city of Natanz, it could reach Tel Aviv in less than seven minutes.[10]

Variants

  • Sejil-1: The Sejil is a two-stage, solid-propellant, surface-to-surface missile (SSM) produced by Iran with a reported 2,400 km (1,500 mi) range. A successful test launch took place on 13 November 2008.[11] Its range, if confirmed, would allow it to strike targets as far away as Israel and southeastern Europe, though Iran asserts that it is intended for purely defensive purposes.
  • Sejil-2: Sejil-2 is an upgraded version of the Sejil.[1] The Sejil-2 two-stage solid-fuel missile has a 2,000 km range and was first test-fired on 20 May 2009.[12] The Sejil-2 surface-to-surface medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) was first tested eight months prior to the actual test launch, which took place in the central Iranian province of Semnan. Improvements include better navigation system, better targeting system, more payload, longer range, faster lift-off, longer storage time, quicker launch and lower detection possibility.[13] On December 16, 2009, an upgraded version of Sejil-2 was test fired.[14]
  • Sejil-3: An unconfirmed report stated the a Sejil-3 may be in development. The Sejil-3 would reportedly have three stages, a maximum range of 4,000 km, and a launch weight of 38,000 kg.[2] The Sejil-3 is intended to be the first IRBM of the Sejil series.It is based on the design of the Sejil-2, but with an improved engine and guidance system and better survivability. The Sejil-3 is more maneuverable than its predecessor, making it harder for ABM systems to intercept. The final phase of testing is due to commence in early 2016, with entry into service by 2017.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Theodore Postol (31 May 2009). The Sejil Ballistic Missile (PDF) (Report). Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
  2. 1 2 "Sejjil | Missile Threat | CSIS Missile Defense Project". Missile Threat.
  3. ↑ BALLISTIC AND CRUISE MISSILE THREAT nasic.af.mil
  4. ↑ Sajjil/Ghadr-110 globalsecurity.org
  5. 1 2 "Iran Tests Second Solid-Fuelled Sejil Missile, Capable of 2,900 km". Defense Update. 2009-05-20. Archived from the original on 2009-05-23. Retrieved 2009-05-21.
  6. ↑ "پهپاد انتحاری؛ تدبیر سپاه برای عبور از سپرهای دفاع موشکی/ رد بالستیک‌های ایران در اقیانوس هند| گزارش تسنیم از رزمایش پیامبر اعظم15- اخبار نظامی | دفاعی | امنیتی - اخبار سیاسی تسنیم | Tasnim". خبرگزاری تسنیم | Tasnim (in Persian). Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  7. ↑ "New missile marks 'significant leap' for Iran capabilities". Jane's Defence Weekly. 2008-11-14. Retrieved 2010-04-17.
  8. ↑ "Sejil Technology Surpasses Shahab-3". FarsNews. 2008-11-18. Archived from the original on 2013-01-23. Retrieved 2012-05-23.
  9. ↑ "Iran, U.S.: Missile Claims and BMD in Europe (pay site)". STRATFOR. 2008-11-12. Archived from the original on 2012-02-13. Retrieved 2010-02-09.
  10. ↑ Israel accelerating Arrow-4, sensor development due to Iranian hypersonic threat. Breaking Defense. 15 November 2022.
  11. ↑ "Iran tests new long-range missile". BBC. 2008-11-12. Retrieved 2008-11-12.
  12. ↑ "Iran tests new surface-to-surface missile". CNN. 2009-05-20. Retrieved 2009-05-20.
  13. ↑ "Iran Successfully Tests Sejil-2 Missile". YouTube. 2009-05-21. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
  14. ↑ "Iran tests long-range missile, raises ire of West". AP. 2009-12-16. Archived from the original on 2019-02-10. Retrieved 2009-12-16.
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