Friday, April 15, 2011
Ghauri, also designated Hatf-V, is a nuclear capable medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) developed by Kahuta Research Laboratories (KRL) of Pakistan. The missile is named after Afghan ruler, Shahabuddin Muhammad Ghauri, of the Ghorid dynasty who reigned over a territory spanning present-day Afghanistan, Pakistan and northern India, while the "Hatf" designation originates from the name of the sword/lance of Prophet Muhammad. Powered by a single stage liquid fuel rocket motor, the missile has an optimum range of 1,500 km and can carry a payload of 700 kg. The missile is Pakistan's equivalent to the US PGM-19 Jupiter.
The Ghauri missiles are part of Pakistan's Integrated Missile Research and Development Programme (IMRDP). The Ghauri-II, a newer variant with an increased range of 2,300 km (1,429 miles), has been developed by increasing the motor assembly length and using improved propellants. The latest variant, Ghauri-III, is under development with a planned range of 3500–4000 km.
The Ghauri design incorporates mechanisms that start spinning the single booster stage and warhead combination from approximately 10 seconds before termination of the powered flight at 110 seconds. At this point the warhead is separated from the rocket booster stage to fly on a re-entry trajectory that remains stable to its target. With the addition of GPS targeting the warhead accuracy is greatly enhanced.
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