The Diamond 3 missile is the Iranian version of the Israeli Spike and is believed to be the missile equipped with a camera that can accurately strike targets in Israeli settlements in recent days. So, what do we know about it?
Missiles from the Diamond family (Iranian-made through reverse engineering of the Israeli Spike system) can be launched from ground bases, drones, or helicopters, with a range varying from 4 to 10 kilometers (depending on the generation of the missile: Diamond-1, Diamond-2, and Diamond-3). This missile also uses high-explosive anti-tank warheads and two-stage thermal heads, with the diamond warhead located directly behind the guided camera at the tip of the missile. This allows for the recording of the missile's launch trajectory from its base until reaching the target.
One feature of this system is its "fire-and-forget" capability, meaning that after firing, the user does not need to guide the missile towards the target, ensuring high accuracy in hitting its intended target. Additionally, operating this system requires only one person, increasing maneuverability and the ability to strike the weakest points in the armor of vehicles and tanks, leading to their destruction.
Here are some features for each generation:
**Diamond-1 Missile:**
Used against armored targets, fortifications, and personnel using an image seeker and fiber optics. Its range varies from a minimum of 200 meters to a maximum of 4 kilometers, and it is guided electro-optically and thermally. The missile length is 1100 mm, diameter is 130 mm, weight is 11.5 kg, and the total weight of the system (missile + launcher) is 15 kg. The type of warhead is two-stage with the ability to penetrate 600 mm of armor. It has capabilities such as changing the target after firing, destroying targets out of sight, and the ability to cancel (destroy the missile by the operator) while sending video directly to the operator.
**Diamond-2 Missile:**
This missile is the newer generation of Diamond 1 with a range of 8 kilometers (if launched from an aerial platform, the maximum range extends to 25 km). This missile is designed and produced to increase the operational combat power to deal with targets located deep in enemy territory and not in the direct line of fire, and it can penetrate 1000 mm of armor. The Diamond-2 can be launched from ground bases, drones, and helicopters.
**Diamond-3 Missile:**
This is the latest version and is distinguished by being larger than the other two versions. The warhead of this missile is of the high-explosive or thermal two-stage type, utilizing infrared guidance and an electro-optical seeker, having the ability to penetrate 1000 mm of armor, targeting goals at a distance of 10 km. If the fiber optics are removed and a wireless transmitter is used to guide this missile launched from aircraft, its range is expected to reach around 16 km.
