Burkan-1

Burkan 1
TypeTactical SRBM
Place of originYemen or Iran
Service history
In serviceSeptember 2, 2016[1]
Used byHouthis in Yemen Hezbollah in Lebanon
Specifications
Mass7,300 kilograms (16,000 lb)[2]
Length12.5 metres (41 ft)[2]
Diameter0.88 metres (2.9 ft)[2]
Warhead500 kilograms (1,100 lb) conventional high-explosive[2]
Operational
range
800 kilometres (500 mi)[2]
Guidance
system
Inertial[3]

The Burkan-1 (Arabic 1 بركان) or Volcano-1[4] (also spelled as Burqan 1[5]) is a mobile short-range ballistic missile used by the Houthis in Yemen. It is related to the Scud missile family.[6]

Development

Houthi forces unveiled the Burkan-1 when it was fired on 2 September 2016.[1][2] According to Saudi Arabia, the missile and related Volcano H-2 are of Iranian origin, with USAF Lt. General Jeffrey L. Harrigian, Commander, Air Force's Central Command in Qatar, agreeing.[6][7]

Design

The Burkan-1 is a member of the Scud family.[6] Analysts identify it as being based on either the Scud-B[3] or Scud-D[4] missile. Its range is greater than the Soviet-made Scuds Yemen possessed as of 2015, suggesting that the missile is not of Yemeni origin.[2][8] Elements of the missile's design, including the inertial guidance system, fins, and control surfaces, are identical to those of the Qiam 1, leading several analysts and the U.S. State Department to believe that the missile is an Iranian-made Qiam 1.[4][9] The Burkan-1 carries a warhead weighing more than 1,100 pounds (500 kg).[2]

Operational history

The Burkan-1 was first fired on 2 September 2016, aimed at King Fahad Air Base in Taif, with Houthi sources claiming a successful hit but Saudi Arabia claiming there was no damage.[2][10] On 27 October 2016, another missile was fired, but destroyed in mid-air by a Saudi Patriot missile before reaching its target. According to the Saudi-led coalition the target was Mecca, but according to the Houthis the target was King Abdulaziz International Airport, near Jeddah.[11] On 28 July 2017, another missile was fired on a similar trajectory and intercepted in mid-air, leading to Saudi Arabia again claiming the target was Mecca and the Houthis claiming the target was King Fahad Air Base.[12]

See also

Comparable missiles

References

  1. ^ a b Yemenis unveil 'new' Burkan-1 ballistic missile. Binnie, Jeremy. September 7, 2016. IHS Jane's Defence Weekly. http://www.janes.com/article/63468/yemenis-unveil-new-burkan-1-ballistic-missile. Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20170731043623/http://www.janes.com/article/63468/yemenis-unveil-new-burkan-1-ballistic-missile. Accessed November 6, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Missile Force Launches New Missile on Saudi Territory". Almotamar.net. September 2, 2016. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  3. ^ a b Brügge, Norbert (November 10, 2017). "The Soviet "Scud" Missile Family". Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  4. ^ a b c Lewis, Jeffrey (October 27, 2016). "Yemen's Burkan-1 Missile". Arms Control Wonk. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  5. ^ Lister, T; Albadran, A; Al-Masmari, H; Sirgany, SE; Levenson, E (November 4, 2017). "Saudi Arabia intercepts ballistic missile over capital". CNN. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  6. ^ a b c Gambrell, Jon (November 10, 2017). "US Air Force official: Missile targeting Saudis was Iranian". AP. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  7. ^ "Saudis accuse Iran of 'direct aggression' over Yemen missile". BBC. November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  8. ^ Carlino, Ludovico (July 26, 2017). "Incremental improvements in Houthi militants' ballistic missile campaign increase risk to assets in central Saudi Arabia". Jane's IHS. Archived from the original on November 10, 2017. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  9. ^ "Press Release: Ambassador Haley on Weapons of Iranian Origin Used in Attack on Saudi Arabia". United States Mission to the United Nations. 7 November 2017. Archived from the original on 11 April 2019. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  10. ^ "Missiles fired from rebel-held Yemen land near US destroyer". Chicago Tribune. October 10, 2016. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  11. ^ "Yemen's Houthis launch missile toward Saudi holy city, coalition says". Reuters. October 27, 2016. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  12. ^ "Saudi coalition downs Yemeni rebel missile near Mecca". France24. July 31, 2017. Retrieved November 11, 2017.