Except there is no way it was carrying a 300KG warhead based on the released Saudi Arabia CCTV footage. The explosion looks relatively weak.
Makes me wonder if warhead size was reduced to allow for greater distance and if the engine (export version?) Houthis are using is not as powerful.
Though wasn’t the distance traveled less than 250KM?
Something doesn’t add up there.
I did a scaling analysis to come to those numbers.
One feature of scaling calculation is that it expects the same technology level as the original scale (Kh-55).
So 700km range @ 200-300kg payload is for a missile built at the tech. level of the Kh-55.
If it is worse due to lower capability, lower cost goal or import limitations then the numbers shrink down.
The key point here is however the possibilities this engine and Irans CM technology offers today and it what cost.
Tomahawk/Kh-55 deliver 400-450kg payload to 2500km and weight around 1300kg.
Both use complex and expensive turbofans.
The Qods/Ya-Ali-2 delivers a 200-300kg payload to 700km, weight 1/3 (airframe materials) and uses a very simple, inexpensive turbojet.
Given that many of Irans threats are within that range, it looks sufficiently economic to compete with Fateh series of BMs.
Even better: With high technology-level of Kh-55, Iran could develop a 1200km Israel-range version that still delivers a 200kg warhead. That's what scale calculations tell.
Many times I did question here the economic value a CM arsenal would make for Iran in light of its efficient BM arsenal. But with this technology approach and level of avionic miniaturization (beyond Kh-55 level).
Just one aspect to put things into perspective: The heart of the missile, its engine, is a single stage design while the Kh-55 needs a 9-stage turbofan...
One direct implication is that the Nasir AshM is not just a miniaturized Noor in terms of range, but rather a Qadr or Qadir with probably 180-250km range. Amazing performance for such a small and cheap AshM.