Hatf-VIII (Ra'ad)

The Ra'ad ALCM ( Urdu رعد ) ( Ra'ad means Thunder in Arabic) is an air -based cruise missiles from Pakistani development. It is used by various weapons platforms of the Pakistani Air Force.

Development

After the successful test of the first Pakistani Marschlugkörpers Babur in 2005, the Ra'ad was originally planned to be its use of airplanes as a modification. As well as the official designation of Hatf VIII ( of Babur runs under Hatf VII) and show the new name, finally, a new weapon has been developed. The first successful test took place on August 25, 2007, the first launch of an aircraft ( a Dassault Mirage III ROSE ) on May 8, 2008.

Technical Details

The airframe is interpreted by the shape and material selection that the detectability is reduced by radar ( stealth technology). Thus, the probability of being able to hit heavily defended targets such as enemy command posts, radar sites and stationary air defense facilities, increased. With a range of 350 kilometers, the weapon has a " very high accuracy " according to official sources. Even against ships it should be usable. Although the missile has been fired in tests of a Mirage III are other sites, in particular, JF -17, is provided for the normal operational use.