Engineering:Ra'ad-II
| Ra'ad-II | |
|---|---|
| Type | ALCM[1][2][3][4] |
| Place of origin |  Pakistan |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2020–Present |
| Used by | Template: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 | Turbofan |
| Payload capacity | ≤450 kg (990 lb) |
Operational range | 600 km (370 mi) |
| Flight altitude | Terrain-following |
| 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 (Urdu: رعد-۲,"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.[8]
Testing and unveiling
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][9][10]
According to the ISPR, it significantly enhanced Pakistan's air delivered strategic standoff capability on land and at sea.[1][2][4]
Technical design
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.[11] Design and control surfaces changes to Ra'ad-II allows to integrate with the JF-17 Thunder platform— the PAF's primary strike platform.[11]
Aerial-based deterrence
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[12]
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 Truimf."[13] 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."[13]
Similar missiles
- AGM-158 JASSM (USA)
- CJ-10 (China)
- KEPD 350 (Germany/Sweden)
- Kh-65SE (Russia)
- SOM (Turkey)
- Saber
- Storm Shadow (France/UK)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "Pakistan test launches new Ra'ad II ALCM missile variant". 20 February 2020. https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/pakistan-raad-ii-alcm-missile-variant/.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Pakistan test-launches longer-range variant of Ra'ad II ALCM". https://www.janes.com/article/94404/pakistan-test-launches-longer-range-variant-of-ra-ad-ii-alcm.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Khan, Bilal (23 March 2017). "Pakistan officially unveils extended range Ra'ad 2 air-launched cruise missile". https://quwa.org/2017/03/23/pakistan-officially-unveils-extended-range-raad-2-air-launched-cruise-missile/.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Khan, Bilal (18 February 2020). "Pakistan Tests Ra'ad-II Air-Launched Cruise Missile". https://quwa.org/2020/02/18/pakistan-tests-raad-ii-air-launched-cruise-missile/.
- ↑ Kristensen, Hans; Korda, Matt. "Pakistan nuclear weapons, 2023". https://thebulletin.org/premium/2023-09/pakistan-nuclear-weapons-2023/.
- ↑ Eshel, Tamir (30 April 2011). "Pakistan Tests Ra'ad (HATF VIII) Air-Launched Cruise Missile - Defense Update". defense update. https://defense-update.com/20110430_raad_hatf8.html.
- ↑ "Pakistan Unveils Ra'ad-II ALCM". 24 March 2017. https://missilethreat.csis.org/pakistan-unveils-raad-2-alcm/.[|permanent dead link|dead link}}]
- ↑ "Pakistan Unveils Ra'ad-II ALCM". 24 March 2017. https://missilethreat.csis.org/pakistan-unveils-raad-2-alcm/.[|permanent dead link|dead link}}]
- ↑ "US clears possible sale of IADWS to India for $1.867bn". 11 February 2020. https://www.army-technology.com/news/us-sale-iadws-india/.
- ↑ Gady, Franz-Stefan. "Pakistan Test Launches Ra'ad II Nuclear-Capable Air-Launched Cruise Missile". https://thediplomat.com/2020/02/pakistan-test-launches-raad-ii-nuclear-capable-air-launched-cruise-missile/.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Ra'ad-II cruise missile can hit Delhi from deep inside Pakistan: Report" (in en). The Week. https://www.theweek.in/news/world/2020/02/19/raad-ii-cruise-missile-can-hit-delhi-from-deep-inside-pakistan-report.html.
- ↑ Khan, Feroz (7 November 2012) (in en). Eating Grass: The Making of the Pakistani Bomb. Stanford University Press. pp. 500. ISBN 978-0-8047-8480-1. https://books.google.com/books?id=yGgrNAsKZjEC&q=ra%27ad. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Ansari, Usman (19 February 2020). "Pakistan tests a new cruise missile. Can it hit inside India?" (in en). Defense News. https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2020/02/18/pakistan-tested-a-new-cruise-missile-can-it-hit-inside-india/.
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