- Ghauri-II
Infobox Weapon
is_missile=yes
name=Ghauri-II/Hatf-VA
caption=
origin=
type=Medium-Range Ballistic Missile MRBM
used_by=
manufacturer=Kahuta Research Laboratories (KRL )
unit_cost=Unknown
propellant=
production_date=
service=(Tests) 04/14/1999
engine=single stage liquid propellant engine
engine_power=
weight=17,800 kg
length=18.00 m
height=
diameter=1.35 m
wingspan=Unknown
speed=mach 2.0
vehicle_range=2,300 km
ceiling=
altitude=350 km (Apogee)
filling=150 to 350 kT Nuclear
guidance=Inertial
detonation=NA
launch_platform=transporter erector launcher (TEL)Description
The Ghauri-II is a medium-range
ballistic missile MRBM . It is a longer ranged variant of the Ghauri-I missile. It was developed by increasing the length of the motor assembly and using improved propellants.Development
The Ghauri-II missile is designed as a strategic weapon. The range on the Ghauri-II is sufficient for it to strike targets deep within India.Recently, it was suggested that the developing nations missile program warheads would be tumbling about their center of gravity during re-entry, which would then make it difficult to identify. This was because they were not being spun-up along their longitudinal axis prior to re-entry through the atmosphere.The Ghauri-I/II both apparently spin up the single booster stage and warhead combination starting at about 10 seconds before the termination of the powered flight at 110 seconds. At this point after 110 seconds of powered flight the warhead is then separated from the booster stage to fly on a re-entry trajectory that remains stable to its target. With the addition of GPS targeting the warhead accuracy is greatly enhanced [ [http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/pakistan/missile/hatf-5.htm Ghauri [Hatf-5 - Pakistan Missile Special Weapons Delivery Systems ] ]
Like most Pakistani missile systems,
transporter erector launcher (TEL) vehicles. A modified tank is also known to have been used for a TEL vehicle. These vehicles hide the Ghauri-II from attack and allow for rapid transport and deployment.The Ghauri-II missile has a range of 2,300 km (1,429 miles). It is 18.0 m in length, has a diameter of 1.35 m and a launch weight of 17,800 kg. Its payload is a single separating warhead weighing 950 kg, or as low as 750 kg for use at its maximum range. This is used to carry a 250 kg load of a 150 to 350 kT yield nuclear, chemical, HE or submunition warhead. The missile uses a single-stage liquid propellant engine.
The Ghauri-I started development at the Khan Research Laboratories in 1993, with the first flight test occurring in 1998. The first flight test of the Ghauri-II took place in 1999. Flight testing for both missiles continued into 2004. As for the status of the Ghauri-II missile, it is currently in service and under production.
Other missiles currently in the service of Pakistan are Hatf-I (BRBM),
Abdali-I (BRBM),Ghaznavi (SRBM ), Ghauri-I (MRBM ),Ghauri-III (IRBM ) (under development), Shaheen-I (MRBM ), Shaheen-II (IRBM ), Babur (cruise missile ) andRa'ad (cruise missile ).Note: Not every missile has nuclear payload.
References
External links
* [http://www.defence.pk Pakistan Defence]
* [http://www.fas.org Federation of American Scientists]
* [http://www.pakdef.info The Pakistani Military Consortium]
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