Iran tests laser-guided bomb during war games

International Herald Tribune:

Iran said Tuesday that it successfully tested laser-guided bombs during recent large-scale military exercises throughout the country, the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported.

"New laser bombs have been tested during the ... maneuvers," the agency quoted Gen. Ghader Rahimzadeh, an air force commander, as saying. The report did not elaborate on the bomb's specifications. READ MORE

A laser-guided bomb is a precision-guided weapon that uses semi-active laser homing to strike a designated target with greater accuracy than a free-fall bomb. It is one of the most common and widespread weapons used by a large number of the world's air forces.

During the maneuvers that began August 19, Iran also has tested a new air defense system and fired short range surface-to-surface and submarine-to-surface missiles.

Since 1992, Iran has produced its own tanks, armored personnel carriers, missiles and a fighter plane, the government has said. It announced in early 2005 that it had begun production of torpedoes.