RE: Task from OICC, No Task Number, Document Update (U), Dated 0900 Aug 90
Filename:500bkg.90
[ b.2. ][ (b)(6) ].
RE: Task from OICC, No Task Number, Document Update (U), Dated
0900 Aug 90
Update of Publication [ b.2. ] Mar 90
Chemical Delivery by Missiles
Iraq is not known to have any missile warheads with
chemical fills. However, Iraq has the technical ability to
produce such warheads, and may already have done so. At
present, Iraq has the following Short Range Ballistic
Missiles (SRBMs):
Missile Max Range Demonstrated Range Payload Warhead
Al Hussayn 600 km 600 km 350 kg 550 kg
Al Abbas 900 km 600 km 600 kg 400 kg
SCUD-B 300 km 300 km 1000 Kg 800 Kg
Chemical Delivery by Aerial Bombs
Iraq adopted the use of aerial bombs to deliver chemicals early
in the war with Iran. Aerial bombs are relatively easy to fill
and produce. There is an option to purchase empty bombs
intended for incendiary use. Iraq [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4)
] white phosphorus bombs and filled them with agents produced
at Samarra.
Early employment of chemical aerial bombs was not optimized.
Poor bombing accuracy and improper fusing made many of these
munitions ineffective against the poorly protected Iranian
forces. Iran's recovery of unexploded Iraqi aerial bombs from
battlefields in the 1984-1986 period led provided the positive
proof of Iraqi use.
Iraq has employed both nerve and blister agents by aerial bomb.
The first use of nerve agent by Iraq occurred in March 1984.
Iraq has 100 kg and 250 kg chemical aerial bombs. Available
chemical fills are sulfur mustard, nerve agents tabun, GF and
sarin. Bombs are usually filled with more persistent agents
(mustard, tabun and GF) when striking deep targets. The
nonpersistent nerve agent sarin is used for close air support
of ground operations.
as the following aircraft which could carry chemical bombs:
Aircraft Combat Radius (nm) Bomb Load
MiG-23
Flogger [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ]
F,H
MiG-23
Flogger E
MiG-23
Flogger G
MiG-29
Fulcrum
MiG-25
Foxbat B/D
Fl EO
SU-24
Fencer D
SU-24
Fencer D
Su-25
Frogfoot
A/B
SU-25
Frogfoot
A/B
Su-17
Fitter L
Su-17
Fitter L
Su-17
Fitter D,
H, J, K
Su-17
Fitter D,
H, J, K
Su-17
[ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ]
. It is not known with certainty if Iraq has all the sizes of
the bombs filled with chemicals. Iraq has shown that it can
adapt purchased weapons for chemical delivery, and that
chemical weapons can be produced and filled by the Samarra
chemical weapons facility near Baghdad. Therefore, the use of
500 and 1000 kg aerial bombs with chemical fills cannot be
ruled out.
Artillery Ammunition
Iraq began a greater emphasis on artillery delivery of
chemicals late in the war with Iran. Chemical ammunition is
available for virtually all calibers of artillery weapons in
the Iraqi inventory. The 155 mm Austrian guns in the Iraqi
inventory were the preferred means of disseminating chemicals.
Sarin, a nonpersistent nerve agent, is the chemical agent of
choice for artillery delivery. Sarin stays in the target area
for periods of 10 to 30 minutes under typical desert
conditions; this residence time could be further reduced when
winds are strong. When forces are advancing rapidly, sarin
provides a quick-acting means to kill enemy personnel in the
target area without inhibiting friendly options for maneuver.
Iraq has modified its multiple rocket launcher (MRL)
ammunition to accept greater payloads. The warheads of the MRL
ammunition have been changed to accept up to three plastic
containers filled with chemical agents. This allows the Iraqis
to combine different chemical agents in the same munition, a
procedure that makes decontamination and reconnaissance much
more difficult. MRL's are a good choice as an area saturation
device that is responsive to the commander's requirements.
Other Ammunition
Iraq has developed a chemical fill for 90 mm air to surface
helicopter rockets. Evidence of these weapons, with mustard
fills, was discovered [ (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4) ] during
the war.
[ (b)(7)(D) ]
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