IRGC equipped with long-range AI-empowered cruise missile

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News Website
25 Jul 2023 14:44

The Abu Mahdi cruise missiles incorporate AI tech in the software governing its flight path and command and control systems.

A batch of Abu Mahdi cruise missiles showcased by the Iranian military, June 25, 2023 (Iranian Media)

In an official ceremony held on Tuesday morning, that was attended by high-ranking military officials, Iran showcased the AI-equipped long-range cruise missile

Developed by military experts at the Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO), the missile is named in homage to the former deputy head of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units, Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis who was assassinated alongside Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, in a US drone strike in early January 2020.

Abu Mahdi as the first long-range naval cruise missile whose trajectory definition and command-and-control systems have been equipped with artificial intelligence, the missile can streak at low altitudes for radar-evading maneuvers and alter its course and height in midair. pic.twitter.com/7LNJefYIpI
— Iran Observer (@IranObserver0) July 25, 2023

The Abu Mahdi cruise missile exhibits a range of over one thousand kilometers, making it capable of striking designated targets with precision.

Its versatility allows it to be launched from various platforms, including sea, land, and air, providing the Iranian armed forces with a larger margin of operational flexibility.

A ceremony was held to mark the joining of Abu Mahdi anti ship missiles into service with the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (NEDAJA) & IRGC-N (NEDSA)

With a range of 1000km, it is the longest range AShM in Iranian service & can engage vessels far beyond the Persian gulf pic.twitter.com/tPAvn2cAhJ
— Iran Defense|نیروهای مسلح جمهوری اسلامی ایران (@IranDefense) July 25, 2023

One of the standout features of the Abu Mahdi missile lies in its integration of artificial intelligence in the software governing its flight path and command and control systems.

A report by the Jerusalem Post back in May warned that Iran's unveiling of the Khorramshahr-4 long-range ballistic missile adds to the "plethora of options when it comes to fielding weapons that can threaten Israel, the US."

In its report, the Israeli newspaper said that Iran has been "developing missiles since the 1980s, and today the country continues to increase the range and precision of its missiles," as the latest version of Khorramshahr-4 — a high precision self-guided missile that boasts a range of 2000km when armed with a payload of 1500kg — has alerted "Israel" and Western governments.

In its lengthy report, the Jerusalem Post voiced out Israeli worries regarding the various missiles and weapons systems that Iran holds in its arsenal as well as continued work on "missiles that can launch satellites and it is working on cruise missiles and precision-guided munitions," which Iran produces locally through its defense and aerospace institutions.

The Israeli media outlet pointed to a report from the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies that examined Iran's missile arsenal including medium-ranged "Emad, Ghadr-1, Khorromashahr, Sejil, and Shahab 3 as well as short-range ballistic missiles Zolfaghar, Tondar-69, Shahab-2, Shahab-1, Qiam-1, Fateh-110 and Fateh-313."

When compared to other models the new Khorramashahr-4 missiles hold the longest range as the Emad and Ghadr models hold a range of 1700 km and 1950 km respectively while other satellite-carrying missiles were able to record a range of 500 km in vertical ascension.