Ra'ad

The Ra'ad (Urdu: رعد, "Thunder") is a Pakistani air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) . The missile was first tested in August 2007.[3][4][5]

This article is about the Pakistani air-launched cruise missile. For Iran's Ghaznavi missile, see RAAD (anti-tank guided missile). For Iran's anti-ship missile, see Raad (anti-ship missile). For Iran's air defense system, see Raad (air defense system).

Ra’ad (Hatf VIII)
TypeAir-launched cruise missile (ALCM)
Place of originPakistan
Service history
In service2007-present
Used byAir Force Strategic Command
Production history
ManufacturerAir Weapons Complex (AWC)
VariantsRa'ad
Ra'ad-II
Specifications
Mass1,100 kg
Length4.85 m
Diameter0.5 m
Warhead450 kg[1] HE, Nuclear, Conventional[2]
EngineTurbojet
Operational
range
350 km (previous version)
550 km (improved version)
600 km (Ra'ad-II)
Flight altitudeTerrain Hugging
Maximum speed 0.8 Mach
Launch
platform
JF-17, J-10 C, F-16, Mirage-V RP-3, Mirage-III RP-3, F-7 PG, F-7 P

Development and design

The Ra'ad is a joint project developed by Pakistan Air Force's Air Weapons Complex and NESCOM– the civilian defense contractor. The missile's latest version has a range of 600 km.[6] The 350 km-range missile uses stealth technology and can transport either conventional or nuclear warheads.[6][2] As per media reports, the missile has features including low-altitude, terrain hugging missile with high maneuverability.[2] The missile would probably be tasked for precision attacks on high value targets including command centres, radars, surface-to-air missile launchers, ballistic missile launchers and stationary warships.[7]

Operational history

The first test of the missile was conducted on 25 August 2007.[6] A second test was conducted on 8 May 2008, when it was fired from a Dassault Mirage III ROSE fighter of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).[8][9] A third test was carried out on 29 April 2011 from a Dassault Mirage fighter.[10][11][12] The fourth test was carried out on 30 May 2012. A fifth test of the missile was carried out on 2 Feb 2015.[13] A seventh test was carried out on 19 January 2016.[14]

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Though initial tests have been conducted from a PAF Dassault Mirage III ROSE combat aircraft there is potential to integrate this missile with other platforms such as the JF-17 aircraft.[2]

Mark II
Main article: Ra'ad-II

A Mark II version of the missile was revealed on Pakistan parade day in 2017, with increased range of 600 km.[15]

See also
Related developments
Similar missiles
Related lists

References
  1. "Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)". globalsecurity.org. Global Security. Retrieved 15 July 2021. Hatf-8 ALCM – Ra'ad
  2. "Hatf 8 "Ra'ad"". csis.org. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  3. Article by Usman Ansari; "Despite Missile Integration, Nuke Role Unlikely for Pakistan’s JF-17." Published online by DefenseNews.com on 7 February 2013.
  4. "Hatf 8 "Ra'ad" | Missile Threat". Missile Threat. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  5. "Air Launched Cruise Missile". Global Defense Insight. 3 February 2022.
  6. "Pakistan tests new cruise missile". english.aljazeera.net.
  7. Khan, Iftikhar A. (9 May 2008). "Cruise missile fired from aerial platform".
  8. "Geo.tv: Latest News Breaking Pakistan, World, Live Videos". geo.tv. Archived from the original on 25 May 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
  9. "The News International: Latest News Breaking, Pakistan News". The News International. Archived from the original on 17 July 2012.
  10. "Pakistan tests Hatf-8 cruise missile". The Asian Age. Archived from the original on 4 May 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
  11. "Pakistan tests nuclear-capable Hatf-8 cruise missile". The Indian Express. 29 April 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  12. "Pakistan tests nuclear capable cruise missile". News.xinhuanet.com. 29 April 2011. Archived from the original on 2 May 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  13. Web Desk (2 February 2015). "Pakistan test-fires new cruise missile Ra'ad – The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  14. Haider, Dawn.com | Mateen (19 January 2016). "Pakistan successfully tests Ra'ad cruise missile: ISPR". Dawn. Pakistan. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  15. "Pakistan officially unveils extended range Ra'ad 2 air-launched cruise missile". quwa.org. 23 March 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
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