Ghauri (missile)

The Hatf V, named Ghauri-5 , is a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) developed by Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) of Pakistan. 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. Two variants of the Ghauri were produced under the Pakistani missile research and development program[3] and the development of a third was cancelled. The Ghauri-II uses increased motor assembly length and improved propellants for an increased range of 2,300 km (1,400 mi). The Ghauri-V had a planned range of 10,000–14,000 km. 

The missile is named after the Persian ruler Shahabuddin Muhammad Ghauri, while the "Hatf" designation originates from the name of the sword or lance of Muhammad. 

Design

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.[6] The "revised" CEP of this system is 190 m. The United States government states that the Ghauri design is based on North Korea's Rodong-1 (also known as Nodong-1) missile 

Operational history 

The Ghauri was first test-fired on 6 April 1998 from the Tilla Range near Malute, Jhelum, about 76 miles south of the capital Islamabad.  Fired from a mobile launcher, it travelled 1,100 km (680 mi) in a flight lasting 9 minutes and 58 seconds before hitting its designated target in the desert ofBalochistan. The ISPR reported that the missile is capable of carrying all kind of warheads besides hitting its target at a range of 1,300 kilometers. 

Naming controversy 

In February 2006, the Afghan Karzai regime delivered a complained to Pakistan over naming its lethal ballistic missiles after Afghan kings and rulers (i.e. Abdali, Ghaznavid and Ghauri), arguing that their names should be bracketed with academic, cultural and peace-promoting institutions, not with tools of destruction and killing. However, Pakistan declined to change the missiles' names stating that these Muslim rulers are considered heroes in Pakistan as well, and naming missiles after them is not controversial.