Shaheen-II
Medium-range ballistic missile
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The Shaheen-II (Urdu:شاهين–اا; Military designation: Hatf-VI, Trans: Target-6), is a land-based medium-range ballistic missile currently deployed in military service with the strategic command of the Pakistan Army.[1][2]
| Hatf-VI Shaheen-II | |
|---|---|
| Type | MRBM |
| Place of origin |  Pakistan |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2014–Present |
| Used by |  Pakistan Army
|
| Production history | |
| Designer | National Engineering & Scientific Commission |
| Designed | 2000–2013 |
| Manufacturer | National Engineering & Scientific Commission |
| Specifications (Technical data) | |
| Mass | 23,600 kg (52,000 lb) |
| Length | 17.2 m (680 in) |
| Diameter | 1.4 m (55 in) |
| Maximum firing range | 2,000 km (1,200 mi) |
| Warhead | HE/NE |
| Warhead weight | 1,230 kg (2,710 lb) |
| Blast yield | >40 kilotons of TNT (170 TJ) |
| Engine | Two-stage |
| Transmission | Automatic |
| Suspension | MAZ-547A 12WD (With Pakistani military markings) |
| Propellant | Solid-propellant |
Guidance system | Inertial, Terminal |
| Accuracy | <350 m (1,150 ft) CEP |
Launch platform | Transporter erector launcher (TEL), launch pad |
Designed and developed by the National Engineering & Scientific Commission, the Shaheen-II provides long-range nuclear weapons delivery, and is described by the Pakistani military as a "highly capable missile which fully meets Pakistan's strategic needs towards maintenance of desired deterrence stability in the region."[2][3][4]
The National Air and Space Intelligence Center of the United States Air Force estimates that "as of 2017 fewer than 50 Shaheen-II were operationally deployed.[5]
Description
Development and design of the Shaheen-II was influenced by Pakistan's need for surface-based second strike capability in case of the Pakistani military facing the Indian Army in a large-scale conventional war.[6] Since 2000, the United States had prior knowledge of such program and was able to confirm it in 2005, when six-axled-ten-wheel MAZ vehicle was shown in the military barracks.[7]
To Indian defense observers, Shaheen-II is seen as the "backbone of Pakistan's survivability with ground-based second strike capability."[6]
Re-entry design
The re-entry vehicle carried by the Shaheen-II missile has a mass of between 700 kg (1,500 lb)—1,250 kg (2,760 lb), which includes the mass of a nuclear warhead and a terminal guidance system.[8]
Much of its engineering data, that is acceptable for public release, is provided by the Pakistani military and compiled by the American independent think tanks.[9][10][dubious – discuss] This re-entry vehicle is unlike that of the Shaheen I in that it has four moving delta control fins at the rear and small solid-liquid-propellant side thrust motors, which are used to orient the re-entry vehicle after the booster stage is depleted or before re-entry to improve accuracy by providing stabilization during the terminal phase.[11] This can also be used to fly evasive manoeuvres, making it problematic for existing anti-ballistic missile countermeasures to successfully intercept the missile.[11] The Shaheen II warhead may change its trajectory several times during re-entry and during the terminal phase, effectively preventing radar systems from pre-calculating intercept points.[11]
Ground-based deterrence
Due to Pakistan's engineering feat, the American sources leveled serious allegations against China, and often compares the missile to the Chinese DF-11 or DF-25.[14][8] The Pakistani government has consistently refuted claims of Chinese assistance, maintaining that the Shaheen-II was an indigenous design from 2000. An extensive series of trials and error led to its final deployment in 2014, with the secrecy of the programme preserved through domestic development.: 241 [12] Further evidence provided through a press video shown by its designing contractor, NESCOM, at the IDEAS conference in 2004, the missile can achieve "surgical precision".[11] Between 2004–2010, Pakistani contractors committed to series of testing of the Shaheen-II that included its engine, propellent, on-board computers, programming, and vehicle testing.: 241–242 [12]
The re-entry vehicle is also stated to utilize a GPS satellite guidance system to provide updates on its position, further improving its accuracy and reducing the CEP to 200 m (660 ft)—300 m (980 ft).: 241 [12][15][10][dubious – discuss] This has led to speculation that Shaheen-II incorporates a satellite navigation update system and/or a post separation attitude correction system to provide terminal course correction, which "may indicate a CEP of much less than 300 m (980 ft)."[11] According to King's College London, "the current capability of Pakistani missiles is built around radar seekers."[11][16]
See also
- Related developments
- Related lists