Ra'ad-II | |
---|---|
Type | ALCM [1] [2] [3] [4] |
Place of origin | Pakistan |
Service history | |
In service | 2020–Present |
Used by | Pakistan Air Force |
Production history | |
Designer | National Engineering & Scientific Commission (Guidance/controls) Air Weapons Complex (Warhead design/assembly) |
Designed | 2007–2019 |
Manufacturer | Air Weapons Complex |
Specifications (Technical data) | |
Mass | ≤1,100 kg (2,400 lb) |
Length | 4.85 m (15.9 ft) |
Diameter | 0.50 m (20 in) |
Maximum firing range | 650 km (400 mi) |
Warhead | ICM/HE/NE |
Warhead weight | 450 kg (990 lb) |
Blast yield | 5 kilotons of TNT (21 TJ)—12 kilotons of TNT (50 TJ) [5] |
Engine | Turbojet |
Payload capacity | ≤450 kg (990 lb) |
Operational range | 600 km (370 mi) |
Flight altitude | Terrain-following |
Maximum speed | ≤0.8 Mach. (980 km/h (610 mph)) |
Guidance system | Inertial, Terminal |
Accuracy | 3.0 m (9.8 ft) CEP [6] |
Launch platform | F-17A/B, Mirage-IIIR, Mirage-VR |
Transport | Combat aircraft |
The Ra'ad-II (Lua error in Module:Lang at line 1422: attempt to concatenate a nil value.,"Thunder-2") is a standoff and an air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) derived from the Hatf-VIII Ra'ad. [1] [2] [3] [4] It was first publicly unveiled on the Pakistan Day Parade on 23 March 2017, [7]
The Ra'ad features extended range, changes in its control mechanism, its guidance and enhanced flight control systems. [7]
On 18 February 2020, Ra'ad-II was test-fired from the Pakistan Air Force's Mirage-IIIR platform. [1] [2] [4] The test was overseen by Ra'ad-II program manager, the Strategic Plans Division, developing contractor, NESCOM, and the Pakistan Air Force and Army's Strategic Commands. [1] [8] [9]
According to the ISPR, it significantly enhanced Pakistan's air delivered strategic standoff capability on land and at sea. [1] [2] [4]
Data provided by the Inter-Services Public Relations, the Ra'ad-II has an extended range of 600 km (370 mi) and has a conventional tail fin configuration compared to the twin tail configuration of the previous version. [1] [2] [4]
It has a new "X" type tail as opposed to previous versions large horizontal tails. [4] It has a length of 4.85 m (15.9 ft), and is much lighter than the previous weapon system. [10] Design and control surfaces changes to Ra'ad-II allows to integrate with the JF-17 Thunder platform— the PAF's primary strike platform. [10]
Both Hatf-VIII Ra'ad and Ra'ad-II are seen as providing Pakistan the aerial nuclear deterrence against the much larger Indian Air Force and their air defenses in an event of large scale conventional war.: 388–396 [11]
In a view of one former PAF's former fighter pilot, Ra'ad "treetop-hugging [ ALCM] with its minuscule radar cross-section should be a good antidote to the Indian acquired of S-400 Triumf." [12] While the Islamabad-based Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS) analyst maintained that the Ra’ad-II is "Pakistan's response to Indian development of the Nirbhay cruise missile." [12]
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