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I think the idea is that it wasn't a complete clean room Yemeni design, but rather an altered Iranian design, which in turn copied from a Soviet missile: https:
by rdtsc 7y ago
I think the idea is that it wasn't a complete clean room Yemeni design, but rather an altered Iranian design, which in turn copied from a Soviet missile: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kh-55 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kh-55
The engine was switched from a more efficient turbofan to a turbojet TJ100. But switching to a piston and propeller engine might have been to much of a change and would have require a complete redesign.
- caf 7y agoThe article is concluding that the Quds-1 is not an altered Soumar (which is the missile based on the KH-55) - the list of differences up to and including the significantly smaller diameter and different engine make that unlikely. Rather it is mentioned that TJ100-alike engines are used in Iran's drone program (as distinct from cruise missiles), and this raises the possibility that the Quds-1 is a derivative of one of those.
- rdtsc 7y agoBut the general design class is the same, it even confused the Saudis it was the same rocket. I guess I was trying to say is if it was designed from scratch with a piston engine it would look very different. But because there were already similar designs and models they had access to, it made sense to stick with that same general class of rockets.
- Stevvo 7y agoThe same company that produces the TJ100 also produces the TP100; it's pretty much the same engine but a turboprop instead of a jet, it's the only viable propeller powered alternative I can see as piston engines are simply too heavy. You get a lot let thrust with a lot more weight on something like a Rotax 912, commonly used in drones.