Ra'ad ALCM
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| Ra'ad ALCM (Hatf VIII) | |
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| Type | Air Launched Cruise Missile |
| Place of origin | Pakistan |
| Service history | |
| In service | December 2007 – Present |
| Used by | Pakistan Air Force |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Air Weapons Complex (AWC) |
| Unit cost | Unknown |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 1,100 kg |
| Length | 4.85 m |
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| Warhead | Conventional or Nuclear |
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| Engine | Turbofan jet |
| Operational range |
350 km |
| Speed | Subsonic |
| Guidance system |
INS, TERCOM, DSMAC, GPS, COMPASS |
| Launch platform |
Aircraft: JF-17, Mirage III, Mirage V |
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Ra'ad ALCM (Urdu: رعد) (Ra'ad means Thunder in Arabic) is an air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) developed by Pakistan and operational with the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). Though initially launched from a PAF Dassault Mirage III ROSE combat aircraft during testing, the missile is planned to be integrated with and launched from other PAF platforms such as the JF-17 combat aircraft. The Ra'ad ALCM's current range is stated to be 350 km.[1]
Ra'ad ALCM is designed capability to attack fixed enemy installations (such as radar posts, command nodes and stationary surface to air missile launchers) at stand-off range, keeping the launching aircraft away from enemy air defence systems. The accuracy of the missile is reported to be comparable to Pakistan's Babur cruise missile, which has "pinpoint accuracy" according to official sources.[2]
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[edit] Development and design
After the successful test of Pakistan's first cruise missile Babur in 2005, it was stated that the Babur would be modified to be launched from air platforms. However, the Ra'ad ALCM appears to be an entirely new missile, as is evident by the new name and a new official designation of Hatf VIII (Babur is designated Hatf VII).
Ra'ad ALCM's airframe is designed with stealthy features, provided by the shape of the airframe and the materials used in its construction, to give the missile a low detection probability and allow it to penetrate enemy air defence systems.[1] Designed to carry conventional or nuclear warheads, the missile will most likely be used for precision air strikes on enemy command centres, radars, surface to air missile launchers, ballistic missile launchers and stationary warships.[3]
[edit] Operational history
Ra'ad was tested for the first time on 25 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," indicating that Ra'ad may be launched at sea-based targets such as ships, as well as land-based targets.[1][4][5]
On 8 May 2008, Ra'ad ALCM was for a second time, this time fired from a Dassault Mirage III ROSE fighter of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).[6][7]
[edit] See also
- Related developments
- Babur cruise missile (Pakistan)
- Similar missiles
- AGM-158 JASSM (USA)
- TAURUS KEPD 350 (Germany/Sweden)
- Storm Shadow (France/UK)
- Related lists
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Jane's Air-Launched Weapons article - Ra'ad (Hatf-8) (Pakistan)
- MissileThreat.com article - Hatf 7 and Hatf 8
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