Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BAGHDAD3199
2007-09-24 01:30:00
SECRET
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
ADVANCED MISSILES USED AGAINST U.S. AIRCRAFT
how-toVZCZCXRO1981 OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHGB #3199 2670130 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 240130Z SEP 07 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3524 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
S E C R E T BAGHDAD 003199
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/2017
TAGS: MARR MOPS MCAP PGOV PTER PINS PNAT IZ
SUBJECT: ADVANCED MISSILES USED AGAINST U.S. AIRCRAFT
Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
S E C R E T BAGHDAD 003199
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/2017
TAGS: MARR MOPS MCAP PGOV PTER PINS PNAT IZ
SUBJECT: ADVANCED MISSILES USED AGAINST U.S. AIRCRAFT
Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S) According to DIA and the U.S. Army Aircraft Shoot Down
Assessment Team, insurgents recently targeted U.S. military
helicopters in Iraq with advanced missiles that have some
capability to defeat current U.S. countermeasures. The
missiles are likely of Iranian origin. While military
intelligence analysts report that this missile presents an
increased danger to U.S. helicopters operating in Iraq, they
assess it is probably not widely distributed in the country.
2. (S) This analysis is based on two known attacks in Iraq.
On July 31, a missile hit an AH-64D Apache helicopter,
forcing an emergency landing. On September 8, a UH-60 Black
Hawk received a missile-warning alert and performed evasive
maneuvers; the missile passed the aircraft and detonated.
Technical analysis suggests the missile missed because of a
motor malfunction. Forensic analysis of the recovered debris
from both missiles links them to the Iranian-produced
MISAGH-1 man-portable air defense system, which Army analysts
say is a copy of the Chinese QW-1 VANGUARD that was modeled
after the U.S. STINGER BASIC.
3. (S) This report was compiled from MNF-I intelligence
briefings provided to post on September 19.
CROCKER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/2017
TAGS: MARR MOPS MCAP PGOV PTER PINS PNAT IZ
SUBJECT: ADVANCED MISSILES USED AGAINST U.S. AIRCRAFT
Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S) According to DIA and the U.S. Army Aircraft Shoot Down
Assessment Team, insurgents recently targeted U.S. military
helicopters in Iraq with advanced missiles that have some
capability to defeat current U.S. countermeasures. The
missiles are likely of Iranian origin. While military
intelligence analysts report that this missile presents an
increased danger to U.S. helicopters operating in Iraq, they
assess it is probably not widely distributed in the country.
2. (S) This analysis is based on two known attacks in Iraq.
On July 31, a missile hit an AH-64D Apache helicopter,
forcing an emergency landing. On September 8, a UH-60 Black
Hawk received a missile-warning alert and performed evasive
maneuvers; the missile passed the aircraft and detonated.
Technical analysis suggests the missile missed because of a
motor malfunction. Forensic analysis of the recovered debris
from both missiles links them to the Iranian-produced
MISAGH-1 man-portable air defense system, which Army analysts
say is a copy of the Chinese QW-1 VANGUARD that was modeled
after the U.S. STINGER BASIC.
3. (S) This report was compiled from MNF-I intelligence
briefings provided to post on September 19.
CROCKER