Iran's Magical Weapons

For the last several days we've been treated to bragging from Iran as they announced one "new" weapon after another, many with magical properties. Yesterday it was the magical flying boat:

Iran said Tuesday it had tested what it called a "super-modern flying boat" capable of evading radar. State TV showed a brief clip of the boat's launch.

"Due to its advanced design, no radar at sea or in the air can detect it. It can lift out of the water," the television said. It said the boat was "all Iranian-made and can launch missiles with precise targeting while moving."

On Monday Iran said it tested a second new radar-avoiding missile during war games in the Persian Gulf that the military says are aimed at preparing the country's defenses against the United States.

The new surface-to-sea missile is equipped with remote-control and searching systems, the state-run television reported Tuesday.

The idea that this flying boat cannot be spotted on radar is silly. Maybe Iranian radar can't see it, but we have lots of tools like AWAC aircraft and satellites which are designed to look down and spot moving objects. The photo of the flying boat indicates that this particular weapon wouldn't be hard to spot.

The fancy torpedo which was displayed the other day is actually an old Russian design, that while fast, has a very limited range and is very innaccurate. In order to be a real threat the Iranian boat would have to get much closer to our forces than they would likely allow.

Iran has a history of making wild exaggerations about their weapons, and I suspect there will be more miracles unveiled in coming days. Their audience must be the gullible Iranian people, because the world's military superpowers aren't impressed.

UPDATE: Another magical missile.