What is this?

[Argyll]

We found this the other day, nobody has come across this before.....

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/3600/img251810vz.th.jpg (http://img223.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img251810vz.jpg)

[Violet Fashion by Mindy]

To fat to be a mortar. Lacks fins for a bomb.

I'd say some type of artillery shell maybe.

[digrar]

How big is it mate?

[Belial]

tried looking on ORDATA or any other explosive ordinance identification database ?

[flanker7]

My guess would be that it's the warhead section of a missile :|

[Argyll]

How big is it mate?

About 24 Inches long, 18 inches in diameter, inside it says something about an SS12, but that's not an SS12 warhead......I thought it might be the gyro housing, none of the EODT guys have ever come across anything like this before.!

[digrar]

Well if someone needs to poke it with a stick, get Fordy or one of the other blokes to do it mate. Couldn't have you getting your hair messed up. p-)

[snark.si]

its a part of casstette bomb or part of a truck

[AussieJohnDoe]

http://www.army-technology.com/projects/polyphem/

The imager looks like it could be housed in it, presuming the top (right side in image) is clear.

[Argyll]

This has been lying there for 20 years plus, so it's not something new, it's got the EOD techs baffled.....

Snark.......do you mean a cassette bomb?.....man this thing is massive, way too big to fit inside a cassette

[flanker7]

http://www.gd-ots.com/sitepages/NewFiles/patwarhead.jpg

These are warheads for the Patriot missile. Most Blast-Fragmetation warheads look roughfly the same. I don't know if Iraq had the old french SS-12 missiles but it is possible.


EDIT:

http://www.netmarine.net/bat/porteavi/monde/france.gifSS12 / AS 12http://www.netmarine.net/armes/missiles/mis06.jpg
Missile SS 12Constructeur : EADS (http://www.eads.net/eads/fr/index.htm) / Aérospatiale Matra MissilesPaysPorteurPaysPorteurCamerounPatrouilleur type PR48 TogoPatrouilleur ...GrècePatrouilleur type Asheville/TolmiTunisiePatrouilleur type PR48 BizerteCaractéristiquesLongueur : 2.3 mDiamètre : 18.5 cmVitesse moy : Mach 0.9Portée : 15 kmTemps de vol : 60 secondesPoids total : 103 kg (surface/surface) Charge militaire : 28.38 kg (TNT/RDX)Observations : Missile anti-navire subsonique à courte portée. Dérivé des SS10, SS11 et AS11 étudiés après la seconde guerre mondiale, les SS12/AS12 sont entrés an production à partir de 1961 (SS12 M en 1966), la première version a équipée La Combattante (http://www.netmarine.net/f/bat/combatan/index.htm). La version AS12 est portée par hélicoptère. Elle équipe, ou a équipé, de nombreuses Marines. Pendant la guerre des Malouines, le 25 avril 1982, 3 missiles AS12 tirés à partir d'hélicoptères Wasp HAS1 ont sérieusement touché le sous-marin argentin Santa Fe.

[Argyll]

The patriot warhead looks similar to these..........thanks

[-CROAT-SOLDIER-]

Isreal ordered some missile's from France in the 1960's and I was looking some stuff up so this might help?

Israel continues to produce its "Jericho" series of ballistic missiles. The two-stage solid fuel Jericho can deliver a nuclear warhead to any point in the Middle East and probably beyond. Israel is also pursuing a military satellite program and trying to construct a defensive shield against the missiles of its neighbors.

Recent developments

On April 6, 2000 Israel test-fired an unarmed nuclear-capable Jericho-1 missile westward into the Mediterranean Sea. The missile flew more than 300 kilometers before splashing down near a U.S. Navy cruiser that was not forewarned of the test. The Jericho-1 is a two-stage, solid propellant missile capable of carrying a 450 to 650 kilogram payload up to 500 kilometers - as far as Cairo or Damascus. Israel ordered a number of the missiles from France in the 1960s and shortly thereafter began to develop them on its own.

Israel began its more ambitious Jericho-2 program in the 1970s. The Jericho-2 can deliver a 750-1,000 kilogram payload far enough to reach Tripoli, Baghdad, Tehran and even points in Russia. The missile has been in production for roughly a decade, so it is safe to assume that at least dozens are armed with nuclear warheads.

Israel's space program

Israel's space industry suffered a blow in January 1998 with the failed deployment of the country's second military surveillance satellite, the Ofek-4. The Ofek-4 was slated to replace the aging Ofek-3 which was launched in April 1995. The Ofek-3 has reportedly already exceeded its anticipated life-span by more than two years. A second attempt to launch an Ofek-4 - planned for late 2000 - may be postponed due to budget cuts in the Ministry of Defense.

With the launch of the Ofek-1 in September 1988, Israel became the eighth country to launch its own satellite. The 156 kilogram experimental Ofek-1 burned up in January 1989, three months later than expected. Its replacement, the Ofek-2, was launched on April 3, 1990. The 160 kilogram Ofek-2 was reported to be the same size as its predecessor but was said to offer the possibility of two-way communication. (The Ofek-1 could only broadcast information.) All Ofek satellites have been launched westward, against the earth's rotation, by three-stage, solid-propellant Shavit rockets in order to eliminate the possibility that debris from the rocket or satellite would fall over Israel's Arab neighbors. By launching the Ofek satellites against the earth's rotation, Israel has demonstrated that it has the rocket power to deliver a nuclear payload well beyond the Middle East. The Shavit launcher and Jericho-2 missiles use the same rocket motors.

In March 2000, Israel and the Russian Space Agency signed an agreement calling for the launch of eight Earth Resources Observation Satellites (EROS), whose technology is based on the Ofek series, from the Svobodnyy cosmodrome in eastern Russia.

Israel is also interested in promoting the Shavit as a commercial space launcher. In May 1998, Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) announced an agreement with the Coleman Research Corporation of Florida to develop a small expendable launch vehicle, based on Shavit technology. The deal was contingent upon overcoming two obstacles in order to satisfy U.S. government requirements. The first was a U.S. law requiring that missiles launched from U.S. territory be comprised of over 50% U.S. parts, and the second was that no launch system derived from a military launcher could be used for U.S. commercial purposes. IAI claimed to have satisfied the requirements.

Missiles for defense

Israel's Arrow program is a joint U.S.-Israel effort to develop a system for destroying missiles launched from Syria, Iran and Iraq by intercepting them before they enter Israeli airspace.

In March 2000 the Israeli Air Force (IAF) took command of the first Arrow missile battery, deployed south of Tel Aviv, although the battery will continue to undergo development and testing. A second battery may be deployed north of Tel Aviv near Hadera. After Iran's test of the Shahab-3 missile in July 1998, Israel began to seek funding for a third battery estimated to cost $169 million, $45 million of which the United States has reportedly agreed to provide.

The program has made significant strides since the first test flight of the Arrow-2 in July 1995. An August 1996 test was designed to evaluate the Arrow-2's guidance and control system and its ability to receive in-flight updates from the fire control center. In September 1998 the Arrow's three components - the missile, radar and fire-control systems - were tested together for the first time. In its latest test on September 14, 2000, an Arrow missile shot down a rocket simulating a Scud, and after seven successful tests out of a total of eight, the Arrow's developers declared the system ready for use.

Since the program began in 1988, the United States has reportedly spent more than $700 million to develop the Arrow, at least $500 million more than official Israeli Ministry of Defense estimates. Total program costs through 2010 are estimated at $2 billion, 55% of which will be paid by Israel. Israeli entities working on the Arrow include the MLM Division of Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. (IAI), Elta Electronics Ltd., Rafael, Israeli Military Industries (IMI), Tamam, Ramta, and Tadiran Electronics Ltd. The missile includes components produced by Lockheed Martin and Raytheon of the United States.

Israel is also working on a system designed to destroy incoming short-range rockets with a concentrated laser beam. The Tactical High-Energy Laser (THEL) is still in the developmental stage and its effectiveness and future remain unclear.

In its first live-fire test in June 2000, the system shot down a single Russian-made Katyusha rocket. Two months later, the system shot down two Katyushas simultaneously. More tests are likely to continue in 2001.

The system, being developed in the United States by the TRW Corporation, the U.S. Army, and Rafael, Tadiran and Elta in Israel, is designed to detect an incoming rocket, track the rocket's path, and hold a concentrated laser beam on the rocket's warhead until the heat generated by the laser causes the warhead to detonate. According to the U.S. General Accounting Office, the United States is contributing $106.8 million toward the program and Israel is contributing $24.7 million.

Despite the recent successes, questions about THEL's effectiveness remain. A March 1999 GAO report stated that THEL faced significant technological challenges, including problems with the valves that control the flow of chemicals through the laser and with the low-power laser itself. In addition, Israeli officials have reportedly expressed doubt over THEL's effectiveness in defending the country against Katyusha rockets. Israel intelligence and military officials reportedly suspect that Hezbollah forces in southern Lebanon have deployed a new version of the Katyusha with a range between 80 and 100 km - four times the range of the standard Katyusha that THEL is designed is destroy.

For additional information on Israel's missiles, see "Israel: Arrow Anti-Tactical Ballistic Missile System and Ofek Satellite Program Suffer Setbacks," Volume 4, Issue 2 (March-April 1998), "Israel: U.S. Turns Down Shavit Rocket," Volume 2, Issue 3, (May-June 1996), "Israel: How Far Can Its Missiles Fly?" Volume 1, Number 5 (June 1995) of the Risk Report.

http://www.wisconsinproject.org/countries/israel/missile2000.htm

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

1953-1979
This annotated chronology is based on the data sources that follow each entry. Public sources often provide conflicting information on classified military programs. In some cases we are unable to resolve these discrepancies, in others we have deliberately refrained from doing so to highlight the potential influence of false or misleading information as it appeared over time. In many cases, we are unable to independently verify claims. Hence in reviewing this chronology, readers should take into account the credibility of the sources employed here.
Inclusion in this chronology does not necessarily indicate that a particular development is of direct or indirect proliferation significance. Some entries provide international or domestic context for technological development and national policymaking. Moreover, some entries may refer to developments with positive consequences for nonproliferation.

1953
Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), the future developer of the Shavit rocket, is established.
—Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control, "Israeli Missile Milestones," Risk Report (6) 2, November/December 2000, <http://www.wisconsinproject.org/>.

1954-1967
Israel begins development of guided missiles. During this period, France and Israel collaborate closely on missile development, but the cooperation program ends due to problems with guidance systems. The program is subsequently relocated to Israel.
—W. Seth Carus, "Israeli Ballistic Missile Developments," Testimony before the Commission to Assess the Ballistic Missile Threat to the United States, 15 July 1998, http://www.fas.org/irp/threat/missile/rumfeld/pt2_carus2.htm.

1958
Israel's military research and development establishment, RAFAEL, tests a land-attack missile called the Luz. The missile is envisioned in surface-to-surface, air-to-surface, and ship-to-ship versions. The surface-launched version has a range of about 27km. The Artillery Corps eventually fields one battery of the missiles, although it apparently is not well-received by army leadership. The ship-launched version enters formal development, but the program is abandoned and replaced by the system that comes to be known as the Gabriel, which is developed by Israel Aircraft Industries with Israel Military Industries producing the rocket motors. RAFAEL has problems with the rocket motors, and never resolves problems with guidance and control.
—W. Seth Carus, "Israeli Ballistic Missile Developments," Testimony before the Commission to Assess the Ballistic Missile Threat to the United States, 15 July 1998, <http://www.fas.org/irp/threat/missile/rumfeld/pt2_carus2.htm>.

7 September 1962
Israel commissions the Jericho-I ballistic missile from the French firm Dassault Aviation. The request is for a surface-to-surface ballistic missile system capable of delivering a 750kg warhead with a range of 235-500km, with a CEP (circular error probability) of less than 1km. Israel's request also specifies a system that could launch between four and eight missiles per hour in all weather from either a fixed or mobile launcher. The request specifies a preparation time of two hours, and a success rate of 90 percent.

The Jericho-I eventually becomes a two-stage ballistic missile 13.4m long and 0.8m in diameter weighing 6.7 metric tons with four clipped-tip delta stabilizing fins at the base of the second stage and a separating warhead assembly. The first stage has a length of 4.05m and a weight of 1,950kg, and the second stage has a length of 5.0m and a weight of 4,100kg. The payload assembly is 4.35m in length with a weight of 650kg. The solid-propellant motors are later made by the Rocket Systems Division of Israel Military Industries.

Boost-phase guidance uses an inertial package incorporating a computerized auto-pilot with an unprecedented accuracy of 1/1000 of a degree. Burn-out occurs at an altitude of 150km, and the warhead separates 1ms later, re-entering at a speed of Mach 8. The Jericho-1 design is revolutionary in that it is the first French missile to use an on-board computer. This experience is useful in enabling Dassault to integrate similar technology in all subsequent French missiles, including the S-3, M-20, M-4, and the Ariane program.

The Jericho-1 (originally designated MD-620) is developed in secrecy by Dassault in cooperation with the French Ministerial Armaments Committee (DMA), but without financial support from the French government. Israeli Minister of Defense Shimon Peres directs the project, and communicates directly with Marcel Dassault.

Jean Rouault and Philippe Amblard manage the project at Dassault. Leading French firms contribute to the effort, including EMD on computers, Nord-Aviation on propulsion, Puderie de-St-Medard on propellants, Sagem on guidance components, TRT on radio telemetry, Aerazur and Hispano-Suiza on the transporter-erector launcher (TEL). The missiles are built in Dassault factories in Argenteuil and St-Cloud, with final assembly carried out by 100 French technicians and an Israeli team between May 1964 and May 1969.
—"Dassault Lifts the Lid On The Jericho Missile Story (Dassault Lève Le Voile Sur Le Missile Jericho)," Air & Cosmos/Aviation International, 6 December 1996, p. 36.

26 April 1963
The contract for "Operation Jericho" is signed between Israel and Dassault in Tel Aviv.
—"Dassault Lifts The Lid On The Jericho Missile Story (Dassault Lève Le Voile Sur Le Missile Jericho)," Air & Cosmos/Aviation International, 6 December 1996, p. 36.

23 December 1963
Israel conducts an unsuccessful test-firing of the first two stages of the Jericho-I missile at an unnamed French site. [Note: This contradicts other reports which date the first test of the Jericho-I to 1965 with some dating as late as 1967.]
—Avner Cohen, Israel and the Bomb, (New York: Columbia University Press, 1988), pp. 116, 282.

1965-1968
The Jericho-I is flight-tested 16 times. Ten of the flights are rated as successful. The launches take place at a French naval base on the Ile du Levant.
—Jane's Strategic Weapon Systems 36, "Offensive Weapons, Israel, Jericho I/2 (YA-1/YA-3)," 24 July 2001, <http://online.janes.com>; Encyclopedia Astronautica, <http://www.astronautix.com/sites/ileevant.htm>.

1 February 1965
The first test of a Jericho-I first stage takes place. [Note: It is unclear whether this is a flight test or a test of the missile engine.]
—"Dassault Lève Le Voile Sur Le Missile Jericho," Air & Cosmos/Aviation International, 6 December 1996, p. 36.

16 March 1966
Test flight of Jericho-I missile at Ile du Levant, an offshore island in the Mediterranean near Toulon.
—Encyclopedia Astronautica, "Jericho Chronology," <http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/jericho.htm>.

30 September 1968
Israel conducts a test-flight of a Jericho-I missile at Ile du Levant.
—Encyclopedia Astronautica, "Jericho Chronology," <http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/jericho.htm>.

March 1966
Israel conducts a successful test-firing of the Jericho-I missile.
—Avner Cohen, Israel and the Bomb, (New York: Columbia University Press, 1988), p. 116.

October 1971
The New York Times reports that Israel is producing a nuclear capable ballistic missile known as the Jericho-I, at a rate of three to six missiles per month. The missiles have a "300-mile range" with a 1,000-1,500lb payload. The cost is estimated to be between $1 million to $1.5 million per missile. The Times reports that US analysts are not certain whether Israel has nuclear warheads but suggest that the Jericho is too expensive to be used to deliver conventional, high-explosive warhead. At this point, US analysts believe that Israel has nuclear weapons components that could be quickly assembled for use in a crisis with Jericho missiles or jet-fighters despite Israeli pledge not to be first country to introduce nuclear weapons into the Middle East. Some US officials are concerned that if Egypt and the Soviet Union are convinced that Israel has deployed nuclear tipped missiles capable of striking strategic Egyptian positions, the Soviets may feel impelled to deploy comparable missiles in Egypt. Such missiles would likely be operated by Soviet forces. Jericho is viewed as attempt by Israel to deter Egypt and the Soviet Union from contemplating an all-out effort to bomb Israeli cities and destroy the country
—Seth W. Carus, "Israeli Ballistic Missile Developments," Testimony before the Commission to Assess the Ballistic Missile Threat to the United States, 15 July 1998, <http://www.fas.org/irp/threat/missile/rumfeld/pt2_carus2.htm>; New York Times, 5 October 1971.

1971-1978
Israel constructs 50 Jericho-I missiles. [Note: Previously the first 14 were constructed in and delivered from France.]
—Jane's Strategic Weapon Systems 36, "Offensive Weapons, Israel, Jericho I/2 (YA-1/YA-3)," 24 July 2001, <http://online.janes.com>.

6 October 1973
Syria and Egypt launch a surprise attach against Israel in what becomes known as the Yom Kippur/Ramadan War. [Note: Israelis and many Westerners generally refer to the war as the Yom Kippur War while Arabs refer to it as the Ramadan war.]

Late 1973
Following the October 1973 War, in which South Africa provided Israel with an emergency supply of Mirage fighter parts, Israel upgrades the status of its mission in South Africa to an embassy.
—US Central Intelligence Agency, National Foreign Assessment Center, Africa Report, Supplement, 8 June 1981, secret report partially declassified and released 7 May 1996, <http://foia.ucia.gov>, p. 2.

Late 1973
Following the October 1973 War, Israel approaches the United States in an unsuccessful attempt to obtain the Pershing-I missile. [Note: The attempt may indicate that the Jericho-I missile, which has identical range as the Pershing, is not operational or experiencing technical problems, although some sources indicate that it entered service in 1973 and was deployed with nuclear warheads during the war. Other sources imply that the request for the Pershing was mainly to acquire technology to help improve the guidance system and accuracy of the Jericho-I.]
—CNS interview with missile engineer familiar with technical dimensions of South African missile program who wishes to remain anonymous.

1974
Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres and South African President John Vorster hold a secret meeting in Geneva. The two reportedly sign an agreement for strategic cooperation between the two countries. The agreement is a mutual defense pact according to which "the two countries would assist each other in wartime by supplying spare parts and ammunition from emergency stocks. Each country agreed that its territory would be used to store all types of weapons for the other country." According to Dierter Gerhardt, a senior commander in the South African navy who for many years spied for the Soviet Union, under a later clause in the agreement called "Chalet," Israel agreed to arm eight Jericho-II missiles with "special warheads" for South Africa.
—"Treasons of Conscience," Weekly Mail & Guardian, 11 August 2000, <http://www.sn.apc.org/wmail>.

1975
The US Army prepares Lance surface-to-surface missiles for possible shipment to Israel. The Lance missile has previously been deployed by the US Army in Europe armed with tactical nuclear warheads. Israel is expected eventually to receive about 300 of the missiles. Some US congressional leaders and senior Defense Department officials believe that Israel wants the Lance missile for use as a delivery vehicle for its tactical nuclear warheads. Technical problems and range limitations with the "Jericho/MD-620" missile cause US Defense Department officials to monitor closely Israeli requests for weapons technology to determine whether they could be related to improving the Jericho missile.
—Aviation Week and Space Technology, "Israel to Receive Lance Missiles, F-15s," 15 September 1975, p. 16.

1977
Israel begins development of the Jericho-II missile, possibly with funding from Iran. The Israeli designation is reported to be YA-3.
—Jane's Strategic Weapon Systems 36, "Offensive Weapons, Israel, Jericho I/2 (YA-1/YA-3)," 24 July 2001, <http://online.janes.com>.

[-CROAT-SOLDIER-]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

1980-1989

This annotated chronology is based on the data sources that follow each entry. Public sources often provide conflicting information on classified military programs. In some cases we are unable to resolve these discrepancies, in others we have deliberately refrained from doing so to highlight the potential influence of false or misleading information as it appeared over time. In many cases, we are unable to independently verify claims. Hence in reviewing this chronology, readers should take into account the credibility of the sources employed here.

Inclusion in this chronology does not necessarily indicate that a particular development is of direct or indirect proliferation significance. Some entries provide international or domestic context for technological development and national policymaking. Moreover, some entries may refer to developments with positive consequences for nonproliferation.


5 December 1980
Israel, South Africa, and Taiwan are reported to have reached an agreement to collaborate in the joint production of strategic cruise missiles and small unmanned jets capable of delivering nuclear warheads. US Intelligence sources are aware of the nuclear collaboration and report that South Africa and Taiwan are attempting to keep their cruise missile plans secret. Information on the joint collaboration remains restricted to the national security community.
—"3 Nations to Begin Cruise Missile Project," Washington Post, 5 December 1980.

1982
South Africa and Israel cooperate on development of the Skorpioen ship-to-ship-missile, based on the Israeli Gabriel Mk 2 missile. The Mk 2 is reportedly 3.42m long with a airframe diameter of 0.34m and a weight of 522kg at launch. Before launch the missile guidance system is programmed with the target data obtained from its search radar. It is then fired and guided by "two gyro autopilots" and assumes an initial cruise altitude of about 100m. At a range of 7.5km from the launcher the onboard autopilot commands the missile to descend to 20m altitude using a radio altimeter to maintain height. At a predetermined distance from the target, the semi-active radar is switched on, the target is acquired, and the missile descends to one of its three possible preset attack altitudes for the final approach. The actual set altitude varies between 1 and 3m and depends upon the sea state encountered at the time. Propulsion is by a solid-propellant boost and sustainer motor. The effective missile range is reported to be 35km, with a cruise speed of mach 0.7. The Semi-Armor-Piercing (SAP) warhead weighs 180kg and contains around 75kg of conventional high explosive (HE).
—Signe Landgren, Embargo Disimplemented: South Africa's Military Industry (New York: Oxford University Press, 1989), pp. 108-109; Jane's Strategic Weapon Systems 36, "Offensive Weapons, Israel, Gabriel," 24 July 2001, <online.janes.com>.

1983
The Israeli Space Agency is founded in Tel Aviv.
—Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control, "Israeli Missile Milestones," Risk Report (6) 2, November/December 2000, <http://www.wisconsinproject.org/>.

1986
Israel conducts the first test-firings of the Jericho-II missile, which, at this time, is believed to be a longer-range and more accurate version of the Jericho-I. [Note: It is unclear whether the designs are actually related.]
—Jane's Strategic Weapon Systems 36, "Offensive Weapons, Israel, Jericho I/2 (YA-1/YA-3)," 24 July 2001, <http://online.janes.com>.

Late 1980s
South Africa begins cooperation with Israel on several missile projects, including a South African version of Israel's Jericho-II ballistic missile.
—Jane's Strategic Weapons Systems 34, "Offensive Weapons, Israel: Jericho I/2 (YA1/YA3)," 19 September 2000, <http://online.janes.com>.

May 1986
Israel and the United States sign a memorandum of understanding on joint development of the Arrow anti-tactical ballistic missile (ATBM) system.
—Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control, "Israeli Missile Milestones," Risk Report (6) 2, November/December 2000, <http://www.wisconsinproject.org/>.

May 1987
Israel tests an improved version of the Jericho-II missile. During a test-flight, the missile travels more than 800km. It is the first test of the extended range Jericho to be monitored by US intelligence officials.
—"Israel: How Far Can Its Missiles Fly?" Risk Report (1) 5, June 1995, Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control, <http://www.wisconsinproject.org/>; "Israel Reported to Test New, Longer-Range Missile," New York Times, 22 July 1987, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe>.

September 1988
Israel conducts a second flight-test of the modified Jericho-II missile.
—"Israel: How Far Can Its Missiles Fly?" Risk Report (1) 5, June 1995, Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control, <http://www.wisconsinproject.org/>.

19 September 1988
Israel's first launch of the Shavit space launch vehicle (SLV) places the Ofeq-1 satellite into orbit. Using the orbital parameters of the satellite launched, the US Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory concludes that the Shavit SLV could be reconfigured as a ballistic missile capable of delivering a 500kg warhead to a range of 7,500km. Shavit is a three-stage, solid-propellant launcher designed to carry 250kg payloads into low earth orbit. It has an overall length of 18m, a body diameter of 1.35m, and is reported to weigh 23,000kg at launch. Stage 1 is 6.5m long, and has a body diameter of 1.35m. It contains a TAAS Israel Industries Ltd. motor with an unspecified amount of HTPB solid propellant with a reported burn time of one minute. Attitude control is maintained by four air vanes and four jet vanes, which are jettisoned after the vertical launch phase. Stage 2 is 5.3 meters long and has a body diameter of 1.35 meters. Its motor is similar to stage 1, but with expansion ratio increased for altitude performance. The stage 2 motor also has a burn time of one minute. Attitude control in pitch and yaw is maintained by four liquid-injection thrust vector control (LITVC) modules. Stage 3 is 2.1m long with a body diameter of 1.3m and weighs 2,000kg, of which 1,800kg is propellant. The apogee kick motor is a RAFAEL AUS-51 "Marble" that has a burn time of 92 seconds. [Note: AUS stands for Advanced Upper Stage.] Attitude control is by spin stabilization accomplished with RAFAEL ST-200N thrusters. Israel Military Industries produces the first and second stage motors, while RAFAEL is responsible for the third stage motor. The demonstrated payload capacity is 160kg into an elliptical orbit of 207km by 1,587km with a highly retrograde inclination of 143.2 degrees.
—UN Department of Disarmament Affairs, South Africa's Nuclear Tipped Ballistic Missile Capability (New York: United Nations, 1991), p. 22; Jane's Strategic Weapons Systems 33, "Offensive Weapons (Unclassified Projects) – Satellite Launch Vehicles, Israel," 14 February 2000, <http://online.janes.com>; Seth W. Carus, "Israeli Ballistic Missile Developments," Testimony before the Commission to Assess the Ballistic Missile Threat to the United States, 15 July 1998, <http://www.fas.org/irp/threat/missile/rumfeld/pt2_carus2.htm>; Leonard Spector with Jacqueline Smith, Nuclear Ambitions (Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1990), p. 162; Federation of American Scientists, "Israel and Space Transportation, Shavit," [undated], <http://www.fas.org/spp/guide/israel/launch/index.html>.

1989
The Israeli Jericho-II enters service. The Jericho-II reportedly has two solid-propellant stages, a length of 14m, a body diameter of 1.56m, and a launch weight of 26,000kg. The motors are manufactured by Israel Military Industries, who make the solid-propellant motors for the Shavit SLV and later the Arrow ABM system. The first stage motor burns for 52 seconds and the second stage for 85 seconds, with boost burn completed at around 105km altitude. An alternative launch weight of 21,935kg is also been reported, with a first stage weight of 10,970kg and a second stage weight of 9,965kg. The payload capability is reported to be around 1,000kg, permitting either nuclear or conventional high explosive (HE) warheads. The warhead separates after the boost phase of flight. The missile has inertial guidance and the re-entry vehicle may also have a radar image correlation system for terminal guidance. Jericho-II is reported to be located in underground caves and silos, but it is believed that the missile is also road mobile with a wheeled transporter-erector launcher (TEL), or launch capability from railroad flat trucks. The missile is reported to have a maximum range of 1,500km, but could have a range of around 3,500km with a 1,000kg payload. The TEL vehicle used to launch Jericho-II is believed to be 16m long and supported by three vehicles for command and communications, site survey, and weather. [Note: The SRBM South Africa tests in July 1989 is widely believed to be a version of the Jericho-II.]
—Jane's Strategic Weapon Systems 36, "Offensive Weapons, Israel, Jericho I/2 (YA-1/YA-3)," 24 July 2001, <http://online.janes.com>.

5 July 1989
South Africa's Armscor announces that it has successfully tested a booster rocket from the Overberg test range outside Cape Town. Although South African sources describe the launch as a booster rocket, outside analysts suggest that it may have been a test flight of an IRBM. A US Defense Intelligence Agency Special Assessment calls the missile a "probable SRBM." US intelligence sources report that the rocket plume of the missile bears a striking resemblance to Israel's Jericho missile. The DIA report notes that if Israel and South Africa are collaborating, a high-level if not senior-level Israeli delegation was probably present for the test. The missile flies 1,620 kilometers southeast toward Prince Edward Island.
—"South African Missile Test," Jane's Defence Weekly, 15 July 1989, p. 59; Michael R. Gordon, "U.S. Sees Israeli Help in Pretoria's Missile Work," New York Times, 27 October 1989, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe>; US Defense Intelligence Agency, "Special Assessment, South Africa: Missile Activity," 5 July 1989, declassified and partially released, in South Africa and the United States: The Declassified History, ed. Kenneth Mokoena (New York: New Press, 1993), pp. 167-168; William E. Burrows and Robert Windrem, Critical Mass: The Dangerous for Superpowers in a Fragmented World, (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1994), pp. 446-448; John Pike, "Overberg Test Range OTB Arniston South Africa," 29 May 2000, <http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/rasa/facility/overberg.htm>.

14 September 1989
Israel conducts a third test of the improved Jericho-II. The missile flies nearly 1,300km, putting southern Russia and Iran in range.
—"Israel: How Far Can Its Missiles Fly?" Risk Report (1) 5, June 1995, Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control, <http://www.wisconsinproject.org/>.

This is all I could find, this could help you out? Hopefully it dose I just want to help that's all.

[Whitcomb]

Isreal ordered some missile's from France in the 1960's and I was looking some stuff up so this might help?

Israel continues to produce its "Jericho" series of ballistic missiles. The two-stage solid fuel Jericho can deliver a nuclear warhead to any point in the Middle East and probably beyond. Israel is also pursuing a military satellite program and trying to construct a defensive shield against the missiles of its neighbors.

Recent developments

On April 6, 2000 Israel test-fired an unarmed nuclear-capable Jericho-1 missile westward into the Mediterranean Sea. The missile flew more than 300 kilometers before splashing down near a U.S. Navy cruiser that was not forewarned of the test. The Jericho-1 is a two-stage, solid propellant missile capable of carrying a 450 to 650 kilogram payload up to 500 kilometers - as far as Cairo or Damascus. Israel ordered a number of the missiles from France in the 1960s and shortly thereafter began to develop them on its own.



yup, that stinks

[Sabre]

We found this the other day, nobody has come across this before.....

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/3600/img251810vz.th.jpg (http://img223.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img251810vz.jpg)
Aha! I knew it would come out eventually...

For years they have been testing the ballistics with supposed 'toys' like this:

http://www.johnlewis.com/jl_assets/product/230212600.jpg

Only now is it revealed that the true purpose of these products was to test the delivery mechanisms for their parallel projects...

...thanks, Argyll, for exposing NERF's weaponised football programme!




Seriously though, I doubt it's made of foam so don't go poking it.

[-CROAT-SOLDIER-]

Aha! I knew it would come out eventually...

For years they have been testing the ballistics with supposed 'toys' like this:

http://www.johnlewis.com/jl_assets/product/230212600.jpg

Only now is it revealed that the true purpose of these products was to test the delivery mechanisms for their parallel projects...

...thanks, Argyll, for exposing NERF's weaponised football programme!




Seriously though, I doubt it's made of foam so don't go poking it.

LMAO!!! Hahahahaha yeah I have one of those too the numbers on it don't count the spins, It's a timer;)

[Lt-Col A. Tack]

Next question, is it impervious to 7.62 ball ammo?

Maybe somebody in the Russian arms industry could give us the answer?
Given the volume of "merchandise" Saddam purchased.

[SuicideSteve]

Aha! I knew it would come out eventually...

For years they have been testing the ballistics with supposed 'toys' like this:

http://www.johnlewis.com/jl_assets/product/230212600.jpg

Only now is it revealed that the true purpose of these products was to test the delivery mechanisms for their parallel projects...

...thanks, Argyll, for exposing NERF's weaponised football programme!




Seriously though, I doubt it's made of foam so don't go poking it.

Didnt they use that in the movie 3 kings with Ice Cube?

[VETdude382]

i think someone took some **** from a scrap yard and made it. look at those shoddy screws sticking out. it only makes sense that it is part of something much bigger if it is explosive

[Kaplanr]

Isreal ordered some missile's from France in the 1960's and I was looking some stuff up so this might help?

Israel continues to produce its "Jericho" series of ballistic missiles . . .

And your point?

[-CROAT-SOLDIER-]

And your point?
Well maybe just maybe Israel tryed launching this "Missile" into Iraq? I don't know but either do you so don't be acting so smart Im just making some suggestions that is all, I said I hope this helps, but I highly doubt it. So I would like to hear something from you, that just might be this "Thing". And by this information maybe someone could get a lead from what country "launched" this missile and what country made/designed it. It is said this "war head" is 20 years old atleast? I forget how long ago it exactly was who ever stated that but the Israels purchased these missles from France which look quite similiar to the picture posted by Argyll which could mean it's from Israel maybe;)?

[Creeper]

I was beginning to be imressed by the techie skills of the 'quiet' readers within this forum, Then "Sabre" opened up with the "Toys R Us" gizmo ! LOL.

Good job all the way around-including Sabre.

[Sabre]

Hey, the only thing I know about bombs is to keep the f*** away from them! I'd never consider being an EOD bod.

Best of luck Argyll, I don't envy you having to deal with all those UXOs.

[Former Gold Falcon]

Argyll

While respecting opsec, just how often has the EOD guys you have worked with come across such oddities, WTF's and items that should not be there in the first place?


T.

[Argyll]

By all accounts not very often........I seriously thought we'd have come across some Chemical Rounds in our AOR, but we haven't, plenty of WP but nothing more sinister.....