Saifullah Sani
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From top to bottom: Taurus KEPD 350; APACHE/Storm Shadow/Black Shaheen/SCALP-EG; and the Haft 8.
Little is known about this stand-off weapon, but pictures indicate a similar design concept as seen in the MBDA Scalp EG/Storm Shadow (Black Shaheen)/Apache, and the Taurus KEPD 350. The most noticeable similarity lies in the rectangular cross section which differs greatly from the Haft 7 cylindrical design. The MBDA and Taurus cruise missiles also have pop-out wings mounted on the top of the fuselage, whereas the Haft 8 wings a mounted near the bottom of the fuselage.
Exact specifications for the Haft 8 are unknown, but some have speculated with estimates. The missile is approximately 5 m in length and could weigh up to 1000 kg. This weight estimate is derived from the maximum carrying capacity of the Mirage IIING in the centerline hardpoint. After the test flight it was announced that the Haft 8 had a range of 350 km, but it was indicated that this would be increased in the future. The width of the wings is at least 1.5 m. The missile is likely nuclear capable given the strategic importance of such a weapon for Pakistan. 1
Haft 8 | Missile ThreatRa'ad (Thunder) | Missile Threat
The missile is approximately five metres long and could weigh up to 1000kg.
Military described it as a state-of-the-art, low altitude, terrain-hugging missile with high manoeuvrability that could deliver nuclear and conventional warheads with pin-point accuracy.
The missile provides Pakistani armed forces with “Strategic Standoff Capability on land and at sea”. The capability keeps the aircraft from which the missile is fired well out of danger from hostile air defence systems.
Pakistan carries out test flight of Raad missile - Newspaper - DAWN.COM
The cruise missile can be used in an anti-shipping role via aircraft against the ground/static targets. Ra'ad in Arabic means "Thunder" which will provide Pakistan a great strategic stand off capability of land and sea. The missile has low detection probability due to stealth design and materials used in creating the missile.
Analysts said the biggest benefit of having this air launched cruise missile is stand off capability it has given to Pakistan. Pakistan Air Force can target ground radars, and other specific military targets well beyond the visual range of the enemy. Pakistan has H-2 (60KM), H-3 (120KM) stand off weapons in its inventory and Ra'ad cruise missile will only add more range to its inventory giving it a three tier stand off capability at all times, day and night, analysts said.
PAF Falcons - PAF s' Multimedia - Air Launched Cruise Missile Hatf-8 (Ra'ad) successfully flight test from Mirage aircraft
A major additional feature of today’s test was the effective employment of the National Command Authority’s fully automated Strategic Command and Control Support System (SCCSS). It has enabled robust Command and Control capability of all strategic assets with round the clock situational awareness in a digitized network centric environment to decision makers at National Command Centre (NCC). The system has the added capability of real time remote monitoring of missile flight path.
Pakistan Succesful Test Fired Hatf-VIII Ra'ad ALCM | ASIAN DEFENCE NEWS
