Iran’s “Abu Mahdi” AI-guided cruise missiles. Photo, Iranian defense ministry..
JULY 28, 2023 . The Iranian naval forces claimed to have received a new long-range cruise missile assisted by artificial intelligence (AI).
According to a report by Tasnim News Agency, the “Abu Mahdi” missile delivered to the Iranian Navy and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Navy has a range of more than 1,000 kilometers (621 miles).
Its trajectory definition and command-and-control systems have reportedly been equipped with AI, allowing it to easily evade radar and alter its course midair.
The high-tech weapon reportedly features a powerful warhead capable of hitting warships, frigates, and destroyers from various directions.
With the help of AI, the Abu Mahdi can fly at low altitudes and penetrate enemy air defenses.
“The homegrown naval cruise missile would expand Iran’s naval defense coverage zone by several times and allow the Navy units to broaden their operational range,” the IRGS-linked outlet wrote.
Skepticism.
According to the news agency, the AI-guided missile has both active and passive radar homing systems, which make it suitable for electronic warfare.
The weapon can also turn into a “specter” that rains on targets without being detected.
However, the reputed features of the missile were greeted with skepticism by military experts.
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TEHRAN. HULY 25th. 2023. On Tuesday, a new long-range strategic cruise missile named after Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was given to Iranian naval forces.
Senior military brass attended a ceremony when the “Abu Mahdi” cruise missiles were handed over to the naval forces of the Army and the IRGC.
With a range of over 1,000 kilometers, the homegrown naval cruise missile would expand Iran’s naval defense coverage zone by several times and allow the naval units to broaden their operational range.
The Abu Mahdi missile stands out for its pinpoint accuracy, devastating force, ability to avoid marine terrain, and ability to penetrate an opponent’s air defense systems.
The missile, known as the first long-range naval cruise missile with artificial intelligence (AI) in its trajectory definition and command-and-control systems, can streak at low altitudes for radar-evading maneuvers and change its direction and height in flight.
The massive warhead on the Abu Mahdi missile can destroy different vessels, frigates, and destroyers by striking the target from multiple angles.
The new missile, which is equipped with a strong integrated navigation system and a potent motor, could be launched from any point deep within Iranian territory to strike mobile naval targets.
The Abu Mahdi launch system is capable of preparing and launching many missiles quickly on a variety of trajectories and from a variety of fixed and mobile launchers.
‘New missile makes enemy aircraft carrier jets ineffective.’
The new long-range naval cruise missile will render the enemy’s aircraft carriers essentially useless by requiring them to remain at least 2,000 kilometers away from the country’s shores, the commander of the IRGC Navy said.
In the same event, Rear Admiral Ali Reza Tangsiri stated that deterring the enemy from approaching Iranian coastlines is a key aspect of the new missile.
“We can fire the Abu Mahdi missile from deep inside the country. The missile has a dual seeker and performs successfully against the enemy’s electronic warfare,” Tangsiri explained.
He averred that if an Iranian military vessel travels 1,000 kilometers from the country’s coasts and launches the Abu Mahdi missile, the enemy’s aircraft carrier will have to retreat at least 1,000 kilometers to avoid the long-range cruise missile, rendering the aircraft carriers’ fighter jets useless.
The new missile, according to the general, may be launched from a vessel or a coastal launch pad, seek numerous targets, and attack the target from several angles.
“Since the missile has a very low service ceiling and a very long range, it could be hardly tracked,” Rear Admiral Tangsiri remarked.