Iran goes high-speed

Iran (or as our wonderfully famed Walid Jumblatt loves saying: Persia) has not only declared, but also tested, a new missile, a.k.a. the Fajr-3 missile (quite an appropriate name in Farsi) and a high-speed torpedo, a.k.a Hoot.

Some may argue that this is a stupid move on the part of Iran, given that it is part of a volatile game with the United States, and others may cheer Iran on and claim that it has every right to develop weapons needed for self-defense.

Putting that aside, I just want to note that the technology needed to develop the Fajr has allowed it to overcome frustrating physical constraints (frustrating for the military, that is). This has made it several times faster than normal torpedoes, and around as fast as a Russian made torpedo (developped in 1995, a.k.a. Shkval). If it is anything like the Shkval, then this torpedo basically soars through the waters in a gas bubble, thus reducing drag. Simplistically speaking of course. Although there is the chance that Iran developped this independently, there is a large probability that Russia nudged over a few technological tricks. Let the games begin.

posted by Lazarus, 10:56 PM