Pakistan Missile Technology
Ra'ad (Hatf-VIII)
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Hatf-VIII (Ra'ad) cruise missile/Hatf VII | |
|---|---|
| Type | Medium-range subsonic cruise missile |
| Place of origin |  Pakistan |
| Service history | |
| In service | Since 29 April 2011 |
| Used by | Pakistan Air Force |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | National Defence Complex (NDC) |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 1100 Kg |
| Length | 4.85 m |
| Warhead | Conventional HE or nuclear |
| Engine | Turbofan (Solid-Fuel Rocket booster during launch) |
| Propellant | Solid fuel (booster rocket) Liquid fuel (jet engine) |
| Operational range | 350 km |
| Speed | Subsonic |
| Guidance system | INS,TERCOM/DSMAC,GPS |
| Launch platform | Combat aircraft |
The Ra'ad (Arabic: رعد) (English: Thunder) is an air-launched 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-17combat aircraft. The Ra'ad's current range is stated to be 350 km.
Ra'ad is designed 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.
Origin
Hatf or more commonly known as Ra'ad is the name of one of the sword of the Islamic prophet Muhammad .Muhammad took this sword as booty from the Banu Qaynuqa , was one of the three main Jewish tribes living in the 7th century of medina ,now in Saudi Arabia .In 624, they were expelled by Muhammad for allegedly breaking the treaty known as the Constitiution of Medina .
It is said that King David took his sword “al-Battar” from Goliath as booty when he defeated him, but he was less than 20 years old. God gave King David the ability to work with iron, to make armor and weapons and instruments of war, and he made for himself a sword. It was thus that the Hatf sword came about, resembling the al-Battar but larger than it. He used this sword and it was passed onto the tribe of Levites who kept the weapons of the Israelites until it passed into the hands of Muhammad.
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.
On 8 May 2008, Ra'ad was tested for the second time, this time fired from a Dassault Mirage III Rose fighter of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).
A third successful test of Ra'ad (ALCM) was carried out on 29 April 2011, this time again fired from a Dassault Mirage fighter of Pakistan Air force.
