In northern Iraq, security forces seized an anti-aircraft missile, known by the designation "358", and an improvised launcher for it from local militias.
#IRGC has armed #PMU militias with one of its most dangerous weapons. The anti-aircraft loitering drone called Model 358. Iraqi security forces found one of them near the Harir air base in #Iraq 's #Kurdistan . It can be used against #USArmy helicopters. pic.twitter.com/G5Uaqebycg
— Babak Taghvaee - Μπάπακ Τακβαίε - بابک تقوایی (@BabakTaghvaee) October 21, 2021
These weapons, presumably of Iranian manufacture, were found near the Al-Harir air base, which is used by US military personnel for their own purposes.
Similar means were previously used exclusively in Yemen by supporters of the Ansar Allah movement (Houthis). This year alone, it was reported that several combat drones belonging to Saudi Arabia were intercepted.
So, in March, a Chinese-made CH-4B UAV carrying out strike missions over Marib province was shot down. Then in May, two Wing Loong II UAVs, also purchased from China, were destroyed over the provinces of Saada and Al-Jawf in a short time, and in June, again over the province of Marib, an American reconnaissance Scan Eagle was hit.
Military experts highly appreciate the "358", which, in fact, is a barrage of ammunition with a fairly long flight duration. The length of the device is about 2.74 meters. The launch from a relatively simple launcher is carried out using a solid-fuel accelerator. After its separation, a jet engine running on aviation kerosene is launched in the air.
The target is captured using the available homing head. The victims of such flying ammunition can be not only drones of various purposes operating at an altitude of up to 12,000 meters, but also combat and transport helicopters, as well as aircraft.
It was reported that, if necessary, the 358 missile could be used to cause damage to ground objects.
Alexey Moiseev
