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From: bcstec!shuksan!major@uunet.UU.NET (Mike Schmitt)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: Iraqi Frog missiles
Message-ID: <1991Feb5.041354.4777@cbnews.att.com>
Date: 5 Feb 91 04:13:54 GMT
References: <1991Feb4.053754.16226@cbnews.att.com>
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From: bcstec!shuksan!major@uunet.UU.NET (Mike Schmitt)

> From: Arther Ferrill <ferrill@milton.u.washington.edu>
> What is the Frog? I understand that it can be fired from surface
> launchers and from the air, and that it has a range of 43 miles. What
> kind of warhead does it carry? How is it guided to its target? How
> accurate is it?

  "FROG" (Free Rocket Over Ground) are a "family" of unguided, spin
  stabilized tactical rockets.  In Soviet "rocket" terminology a distinction
  is made between "tactical" rockets (FROG), "operational" rockets (SCUD),
  and "strategic" rockets (ICBM).

  FROG -1, -2, -3, -4 were carried on the PT-76 tracked chassis.  The latest
  version, FROG-7, is carried on a ZIL-135 8-wheel prime mover.  Another
  ZIL-135 FROG Transport follows with 3 more missiles.

  FROG-7 (circa 1965) is a divisional artillery weapon: 
     Length:    30 feet 
     Diameter:  24 inches
     Weight:    3 tons
     Fuel:      Single stage, solid propellant
     Range:     min 15 Km - max 65 Km
     Guidance:  Free (4 stabilizing fins) 
     Payload:   HE(about 990 lbs), Chemical, Nuclear capable. 
     Crew:      6

  
  In the Soviet divisional artillery regiment there is one FROG Battalion
  with 4 launchers ("TEL" Tractor-Erector-Loader) and 4 resupply vehicles.
  The FROG Battalion deploys as a complete unit and the TELs move by
  leapfrog.  The battery is capable of firing within 20 minutes of 
  receiving target data - reload time is under 30 minutes. 

  FROG-7 is probably not very accurate, with a probable error of between
  350m and 750m depending on the range.  During the Yom Kippur War, 20
  FROG-7 rockets were fired by the Syrians at an airfield 55 Km away.
  The rockets fell within an 8km X 5Km circle - all missing the airfield.

  I would guess that the Iraqi forces have plenty of FROG-7s - as many if
  not more than the SCUDs.  However, somebody posted the Order of Battle
  for an Iraqi armored division - and I didn't see the FROG Battalion 
  listed with the artillery brigade (????).

  mike schmitt