Al Hussein (original) (raw)


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Al Hussein


Part of R-11


Al Hussein
Al Hussein
Credit: US Congress

Iraqi modification of the R-17 that doubled the missile's range at the expense of more than halving the payload and accuracy.

Status: Retired 1991. First Launch: 1987-08-03. Last Launch: 1991-02-25. Number: 72 . Payload: 250 kg (550 lb). Thrust: 90.00 kN (20,232 lbf). Gross mass: 6,800 kg (14,900 lb). Height: 12.20 m (40.00 ft). Diameter: 0.85 m (2.80 ft). Span: 1.80 m (5.90 ft). Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).

In the Iran-Iraq War, the Iraqis needed a missile with the range to bombard Tehran in reply to Iranian attacks on Baghdad. The Al-Hussein was an Iraqi modification of Soviet-supplied R-17 Scud B tactical missiles. The oxidizer tank was lengthened by 0.85 m, and the fuel tank by 0.45 m. The warhead was reduced from 1000 kg to 500 kg (some sources say 250 kg). These changes increased the range from 280 to 600 km (some sources say 650 kg), although the accuracy decreased correspondingly, from 1.0 km CEP to 3.3 km. The modifications weakened the structure of the missile, causing it to disintegrate during re-entry. This later actually proved to be an advantage, since the fragments served as decoys - the American Patriot missile system could not differentiate the warhead from the missile fragments.

The missile was used against Tehran during the War of the Cities, and later against coalition forces in Saudi Arabia during the 1991 Gulf War. Of the 93 total missiles launched in 1991, 88 were Al-Husseins - 42 against Israel and 46 against Saudi Arabia, resulting in 28 deaths.

One variant of the Al Hussein, the Al Hijara (the stones) used a concrete warhead. At least one was fired against the Israeli nuclear complex at Dimona. VX nerve gas warheads were developed for the missile but never used.

Maximum range: 650 km (400 mi). Boost Propulsion: Storable liquid rocket. Initial Operational Capability: 1988.



Family: IRBM. Country: Iraq. Launch Sites: Scud Batteries. Stages: R-17 stage.



1987 August 3 - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1987 December 28 - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1988 February 29 - . Launch Site: Al Amarah. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1988 February 29 - . Launch Site: Al Amarah. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1988 February 29 - . Launch Site: Al Amarah. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1988 March 1 - . Launch Site: Al Amarah. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1988 March 1 - . Launch Site: Al Amarah. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1988 March 1 - . Launch Site: Al Amarah. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1989 July 27 - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1990 January 2 - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1990 January 2 - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1990 April 8 - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1990 June 27 - . Launch Site: Tall Afar. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1990 August 15 - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1990 December 1 - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-A. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1990 December 1 - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-A. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1990 December 1 - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-A. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 January 17 - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-W. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 January 19 - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-W. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 January 19 - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-W. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 January 19 - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-W. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 January 20 - . 18:43 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 January 20 - . 18:43 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 January 21 - . 08:29 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 January 21 - . 08:29 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 January 21 - . 09:42 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 January 21 - . 09:42 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 January 21 - . 09:42 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 January 21 - . 09:42 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 January 21 - . 19:18 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 January 22 - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-W. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 January 22 - . 00:41 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 January 22 - . 00:41 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 January 22 - . 00:41 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 January 22 - . 04:10 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 January 22 - . 04:10 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 January 22 - . 04:10 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 January 23 - . 19:54 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-W. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 January 23 - . 19:54 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 January 23 - . 19:54 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 January 23 - . 19:54 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 January 23 - . 19:54 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 January 25 - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-W. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 January 25 - . 19:23 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 January 25 - . 19:23 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 January 26 - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-W. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 January 26 - . 00:28 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 January 26 - . 19:46 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 January 28 - . 17:55 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 February 1 - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-W. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 February 1 - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-W. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 February 1 - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-W. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 February 2 - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-W. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 February 2 - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-W. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 February 2 - . 21:41 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 February 7 - . 22:54 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 February 11 - . 19:20 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 February 14 - . 08:45 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 February 14 - . 08:45 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 February 15 - . 23:01 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 February 21 - . 14:06 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 February 21 - . 14:06 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 February 21 - . 18:00 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 February 21 - . 23:31 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 February 23 - . 01:59 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 February 23 - . 01:59 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 February 24 - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-W. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 February 24 - . 01:32 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 February 24 - . 06:23 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 February 24 - . 09:17 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 February 25 - . 17:32 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.


1991 February 25 - . 22:26 GMT - . Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.



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