Last modified on August 27, 2024, at 04:48

Iskander

The Iskander (SS-26 in NATO nomenclature) is a Russian mobile short-range ballistic missile system.

  • Dimensions: Each Iskander missile has a length of 7.3m, a body diameter of 0.92m and a weight of 3,800 kg. In contrast, a 3.96-meter-long ATACMS missile has a body diameter of 0.61m and weighs up to 1,670 kg. The Iskander missile’s warhead weight is 480 kg against the 224­ kg warhead of the ATACMS.
  • Range: The Iskander and ATACMS missiles have a maximum range of 500 kilometers (310 miles) and 300 kilometers (186 miles), respectively.
  • Payload: The ATACMS missile can carry various types of warheads, including unitary high-explosive warheads or sub-munitions. The Iskander missile is also capable of carrying different types of warheads, such as conventional high-explosive ones, cluster munitions, or even nuclear warheads.
  • Mobility: The ATACMS missile is typically launched from an M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) or an M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). To launch an Iskander missile, Russian forces use a mobile transporter-erector-launcher (TEL) vehicle, which provides high mobility and quick deployment capabilities.
  • Guidance System: The ATACMS missile uses a combination of inertial navigation system (INS) and GPS guidance for accurate targeting. The Iskander missile employs an advanced guidance system, including inertial navigation, GLONASS (Russian satellite navigation system), and potentially other guidance technology.

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