Ghauri (missile)
| Ghauri-I / Hatf-V | |
|---|---|
| External Image 1 Ghauri ballistic missile just before a test launch, Pakistan. |
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| Type | Medium-Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM) |
| Place of origin |  Pakistan |
| Service history | |
| In service | 12 January 2003 |
| Used by | Pakistan |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Kahuta Research Laboratories (KRL) |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 15,850 kg |
| Length | 15.90 m |
| Diameter | 1.35 m |
|
|
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| Engine | Single stage liquid fuel rocket motor |
| Propellant | Liquid fuel |
| Operational range |
1,500 km |
| Flight altitude | 350 km reached in first test flight |
| Guidance system |
Inertial guidance system (INS) |
| Launch platform |
Transporter erector launcher (TEL) |
The Hatf V, named Ghauri (Urdu: غوری), is a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) developed by Kahuta Research Laboratories (KRL) of Pakistan. Powered by a single stage liquid fuel rocket motor, the missile has an optimum range of 1,500 km and can carry a payload of 700 kg.[1][2] Two variants of the Ghauri were produced under the Pakistani missile research and development program[3] and the development of a third was cancelled. The Ghauri-II uses increased motor assembly length and improved propellants for an increased range of 2,300 km (1,400 mi).[4] The Ghauri-III had a planned range of 3,500–4,000 km.[1]
The missile is named after the Turkic ruler Shahabuddin Muhammad Ghauri of what today is Afghanistan, while the "Hatf" designation originates from the name of the sword or lance of the Prophet Muhammad.[5]
Contents |
[edit] Design
The Ghauri design incorporates mechanisms that start spinning the single booster stage and warhead combination from approximately 10 seconds before termination of the powered flight at 110 seconds. At this point the warhead is separated from the rocket 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.[6] The United States government states that the Ghauri design is based on North Korea's Rodong-1 (also known as Nodong-1) missile.[7]
[edit] Operational history
The Ghauri was first test-fired on 6 April 1998 from Malute, near the city of Jhelum, about 76 miles south of the capital Islamabad.[8] Fired from a mobile launcher, it travelled 1,100 km (680 mi) in a flight lasting 9 minutes and 58 seconds before hitting its designated target in the desert of Balochistan. Ghauri was test-fired from Tilla Range. The ISPR reported that the missile is capable of carrying all kind of warheads besides hitting its target at a range of 1,300 kilometers.[9]
[edit] Naming controversy
In February 2006, Karzai regime delivered a complaint to Pakistan for naming its lethal ballistic missiles after Afghan kings and rulers (i.e. Abdali, Ghaznavid and Ghauri), arguing that their names should be bracketed with academic, cultural and peace-promoting institutions, not with tools of destruction and killing. However, Pakistan declined to change the missiles' names stating that these Muslim rulers are considered heroes in Pakistan as well, and naming missiles after them is not controversial.[10][11][12][13]
[edit] See also
- Related developments
- Related lists
[edit] References
- ^ a b Pakistan Pushes To Improve Missile Strike Capability
- ^ http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/pakistan/1998/980406-ghauri.htm
- ^ Lodi, Lieutenant General Safdar F.S. (May 1998). "Pakistan's Missile Technology". Head of Integrated Missile Research and Development Programme (IMRDP). Defence Journal of Pakistan. http://www.defencejournal.com/may98/pakmissiletech.htm.
- ^ Celebrations in Pakistan as Ghauri II is test-fired
- ^ Pakistan's Missile Technology
- ^ http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/pakistan/missile/hatf-5.htm
- ^ Report to Congress, January - June 1999. Unclassified Report to Congress on the Acquisition of Technology Relating to Weapons of Mass Destruction and Advanced Conventional Munitions. Central Intelligence Agency.
- ^ http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/pakistan/hatf-5.htm
- ^ Pak successfully test fires Ghauri Hataf-V
- ^ ‘Stop naming missiles after Afghan heroes’
- ^ Kabul objects to Pakistani missile names
- ^ Pakistan hijacked our heroes, says Kabul
- ^ BBC NEWS, 23 February 2006
[edit] External links
- FAS.org article - Hatf-5
- DefenceJournal.com article - Pakistani Missile Technology
- FAS.org - Pakistan test-fires Ghauri missile
- PakDef.info - Ghauri
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