Ghauri-II

Ghauri-II/Hatf-VA
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Type MRBM
Place of origin Pakistan
Service history
Used by Pakistan
Production history
Manufacturer Kahuta Research Laboratories (KRL)
Specifications
Weight 17,800 kg
Length 18.00 m
Diameter 1.35 m

Warhead 1200 kg conventional or nuclear

Engine Single-stage liquid propellant rocket motor
Propellant Liquid fuel
Operational
range
2,000 km (with 1,200 kg payload)
2,500 km (with 750 kg payload)
Guidance
system
Inertial guidance system (INS), GPS satellite guidance
Launch
platform
Transporter erector launcher (TEL)

The Ghauri-II is a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM). A longer ranged variant of the Ghauri-I, it was developed by increasing the length of the motor assembly and using improved propellants.[1][2] The missile is Pakistan's equivalent to the US PGM-19 Jupiter but with a much longer range.

Contents

Development

The Ghauri-I started development at the Khan Research Laboratories in 1993, with the first flight test occurring in 1998. The first flight test of the Ghauri-II took place in 1999 and the missile was handed over to the armed forces. Flight testing and improvements for both missiles continued into 2004. Ghauri-II missile is currently operational with Pakistan's Armed forces.

Design

The Ghauri-II missile has a maximum range of 2,000 km (1,200 mi). It is 18.0 m in length, has a diameter of 1.35 m and a launch weight of 17,800 kg. Its payload is a single separating warhead weighing 1,200 kg, or as low as 750 kg for use at its maximum range[1]. This may used to carry a 250 kg warhead of a 15 to 30 kt yield nuclear, HE or sub-munition warhead. The missile uses a single-stage liquid propellant rocket motor.

The Ghauri-II design improves accuracy by a employing mechanisms that spin the single booster stage and warhead combination approximately 10 seconds before the termination of the powered flight phase at 110 seconds.[3]. At this point, the warhead is then separated from the booster stage to fly on a re-entry trajectory that remains stable to its target, greatly enhancing the missile's accuracy. With the addition of GPS targeting the warhead accuracy is further enhanced.[3]

Like most Pakistani missile systems, transporter erector launcher (TEL) vehicles are used to transport and launch Ghauri II.

See also

Related developments

References