Ra'ad

Infobox Weapon
is_missile=yes
name="Ra'ad" Cruise Missile/Hatf VIII


caption=
origin=
type=Air Launched cruise missile
used_by=
manufacturer=Air Weapons Complex
unit_cost=Unknown
production_date=
service=Unknown
engine=turbo-fan and a solid-fuel booster
weight=Unknown
length=unknown
diameter=unknown
wingspan=unknown
speed=High Sub-Sonic
vehicle_range=350 km or 220 mi
ceiling=
altitude=
filling=Conventional and Nuclear
guidance=TERCOM, GPS, DSMAC,
detonation=
launch_platform=Test conducted from Mirage III ROSE-I

Ra'ad (Urdu: رعد ) (Ra'ad means Thunder in Arabic) is a Pakistani Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM). Presently in its testing stages, the missile is slated to enter service with the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). Though initially launched from a Mirage III ROSE-I fighter, other PAF combat platforms - such as the JF-17 and FC-20 - will likely be equipped with the missile when it enters service. The Ra'ad presently has a range of 350 km.

Ra'ad gives Pakistan the capability to successfully attack fixed enemy installations (radar posts, command nodes and stationary surface to air missiles) beyond visual range. The accuracy of the missile is reported to be comparable to Pakistan's Babur cruise missile, which is labeled as having "pinpoint accuracy" by official Pakistani sources.

Ra'ad is designed with stealth features. The missile has a very low detection probability due to its stealthy design and materials used in its construction. Ra'ad can carry all type of warheads, including nuclear, but it is unlikely to be used for nuclear delivery as Pakistan already has the longer range Babur cruise as well as various ballistic missiles for that role. Ra'ad will most likely be used for precision air strikes on enemy command centers, radars, surface to air missiles, ballistic missile launchers, stationary warships etc.

Test Fire

On 8th May 2008 Pakistan military reported that it had successfully test fired HATF-VIII Ra'ad missile .

History

Pakistan's first cruise missile, Babur was tested in 2005. While that missile was said to have had an air launch capability, according to Pakistani sources Ra'ad appears to be an entirely new missile, as is evident by the different name and a new official designation of Hatf VIII, as opposed to the Babur's Hatf VII. . The missile was tested for the first time on 25th August 2007. An official press-release by the military, at the time of the test declared that the missile gave Pakistan Air Force a "strategic standoff capability on land and at sea". [ [http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/A5254F86-A885-4719-A760-9140F17D5837.htm Aljazeerza] ] [ [http://pakistantimes.net/2007/08/26/top1.htm Pakistan times] ] [ [http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/P/PAKISTAN_MISSILE_TEST?SITE=MTMIS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2007-08-25-08-14-08 Pakistan Missile Test] ]

Note: Not every missile has nuclear payload.

See also

* Missile of the same class
** AGM-129 ACM (US)
** TAURUS KEPD 350 (Germany/Sweden)
** Storm Shadow (France/UK)

References

External links

* [http://thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=14588 Pakistan test-fires cruise missile]
* [http://www.defence.pk/hatf-viii_raad_alcm.html Hatf-VIII Raad Air Launched Cruise Missile]