Ra'ad-II

The Ra'ad-II (Urdu: رعد-۲,"thunder-2") missile is a Pakistani long-range ALCM which is derived from the Ra'ad ALCM.[1][2][3][4] It was first publicly unveiled on the Pakistan Day military parade on 23 March 2017,[5] The missile's range steadily increased from its initial 300 km to its most recent test's 600 km, and its guidance and flight control systems were also enhanced.[6]

Ra'ad-II
TypeALCM[1][2][3][4]
Place of originPakistan
Service history
In service2020-present[1][2][4]
Used byPakistan Air Force
Production history
DesignerNESCOM, AWC[3]
ManufacturerAir Weapons Complex (AWC)
VariantsRa'ad
Ra'ad-II
Specifications
Length4.85 m (15.9 ft)[1]
Engineturbofan
Payload capacityHE and NE capable[1]
Operational
range
600 km[1][2][4]
Flight altitudeTerrain Hugging
Maximum speed 0.8 Mach
Launch
platform
Combat aircraft
References

Testing and unveiling

On 18 February the missile was test-fired from a PAF Dassault Mirage III Fighter aircraft,[1][2][4] the testing was seen by Strategic Plans Division director general lieutenant general Nadeem Zaki Manj, the chairman of NESCOM Nabeel Hayat Malik as well as senior officers from the Strategic Plans Division, Strategic Forces and Strategic Organizations of Pakistan.[1][7][8] According to the ISPR, it significantly enhanced Pakistan's air delivered strategic standoff capability on land and at sea.[1][2][4]

Characteristics

According to the ISPR, the new missile has a range of 600 km.[1][2][4] The Ra'ad-II missile 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] The missile is also seen to have a length of 4.85 m,[1] further information about the missile has been kept classified.[2]

Similar missiles

References
  1. "Pakistan test launches new Ra'ad II ALCM missile variant". AIR FORCE TECHNOLOGY. 20 February 2020. Archived from the original on 2020-04-08.
  2. "Pakistan test-launches longer-range variant of Ra'ad II ALCM". Jane's 360. Archived from the original on 2020-02-21.
  3. Khan, Bilal (23 March 2017). "Pakistan officially unveils extended range Ra'ad 2 air-launched cruise missile". Quwa Defense News & Analysis Group. Archived from the original on 2020-04-20.
  4. Khan, Bilal (18 February 2020). "Pakistan Tests Ra'ad-II Air-Launched Cruise Missile". Quwa Defense News & Analysis Group. Archived from the original on 2020-04-27.
  5. "Pakistan Unveils Ra'ad-II ALCM". Missile Threat. 24 March 2017.
  6. "Pakistan Unveils Ra'ad-II ALCM". Missile Threat. 24 March 2017.
  7. "US clears possible sale of IADWS to India for $1.867bn". Army Technology. 11 February 2020. Archived from the original on 2020-04-25. Retrieved 2020-02-11.
  8. Gady, Franz-Stefan. "Pakistan Test Launches Ra'ad II Nuclear-Capable Air-Launched Cruise Missile". The Diplomat. Archived from the original on 2020-04-22.
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