|
Trending Topics
|
Source: http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2009/05/21/iran_fires_missile_tests_us/
Iran Fires Missile, Tests U.S.
[Boston Globe] Farah Stockman - Charles Vick, a senior technical analyst at GlobalSecurity.org, said: "What it says is, 'Yeah, Mr. Obama, we will talk with you, but we are not changing our direction.'" "One way of looking at it is, they are trying to dictate to the world and make everybody kowtow to them." The Sejil 2 is a significant advancement because it uses a solid propellant technology that takes only about 30 minutes to launch, rather than a liquid propellant system that takes several hours, making it more mobile and harder to defend against, Vick said. "With the liquid system you could go in and knock it over before it is launched. The solid propellant system is a whole different game." Vick said Iran is also in the process of developing longer-range missiles with a range of 2,500 miles, putting most of Europe within reach. Iran is also trying to develop a space booster that can be used either to launch peaceful satellites or to make intercontinental missiles, he said, adding, "It is of the right size category to reach the U.S., if it does in fact become a reality."