Iran`s Shihab-3 fails test launch

By Martin Sieff Feb 14, 2006, 19:40 GMT

An Iranian test launch of a Shihab-3 intercontinental ballistic missile Jan. 17 ended in failure, FlightInternational.com reported Tuesday.
However, Western sources told the British-based magazine and Web site that Iran was still making significant progress towards its target of developing an operational capability to strike targets in mainland Europe.
The sources did not specify the nature of the failure.
The Shihab-3 has a basic range of 780 miles, but reducing its re-entry vehicle and warhead weight from 1,650 pounds to 880 pounds could increase this to around 1,200 miles; sufficient to place it within range of countries like Greece. The single-stage Shihab-3 is 55-feet long and has a 15 ton launch weight.

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