THE GULF WAR: The Battle Front : Silkworm Missile
Two Iraqi Silkworm missiles were fired at allied warships Monday, believed to be the first use of the large anti-ship missiles in the Gulf War. One was knocked out by British missiles and the other fell into the sea. The Silkworm is the Chinese version of the 30-year-old Soviet Styx, a relatively crude radar-guided missile. However, it is considered a potent naval threat.
Launch: By ship or mobile launcher.
Range: 50 miles
Attack: Cruises at 100 feet above water, dropping to 50 feet for the attack.
Height: 23.9 feet
Weight: 5,060 lbs.
Diameter: 2.6 feet
Source: “The World’s Missile Systems,” 1988
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