H-4 SOW

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H-4
TypePrecision-guided glide bomb
Place of originPakistan
Service history
In service2003–Present [1][2]
Used byPakistan Air Force
Production history
ManufacturerNESCOM
Specifications
WarheadHigh explosives
EngineSolid propellant booster (rocketry)
Operational
range
120 km
Guidance
system
Electro-optical (infrared homing)
Launch
platform

The H-4 SOW (Stand-Off Weapon) is a precision-guided glide bomb manufactured by Pakistan and deployed by the Pakistan Air Force, capable of striking targets at stand-off range. It has a terminal guidance system based on an infrared homing seeker, which identifies the target during the final stage of flight. Designed to hit targets out to 120 km, the bomb may have the capability to evade radar.[2]

History[]

According to Pakistani press reports, the H-4 glide bomb was created by Pakistan's National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM), working in collaboration with the Pakistan Missile Organisation and Air Weapons Complex in Pakistan. A lighter version of the H-4 has also been produced, the H-2 SOW, which has a stated range of 60 km.

Three successful tests were conducted, the last one in 2003, which led to field deployment on the Dassault Mirage III and Mirage V strike fighters of the Pakistan Air Force. It has also been stated that the H-4 will be integrated with the PAF's new multi-role combat aircraft, the JF-17, which is replacing the ageing fleet of Mirage III and Dassault Mirage 5 aircraft. All Pakistani JF-17 fighters, from the initial JF-17 Block 1 model to the final Block 3 version, will be capable of launching the H-4.[3]

The H-4's stated range of 120 km and its glide bomb design has led to speculation that it may be a Pakistani variant of the Denel Raptor II glide bomb, which is also guided by an infrared homing seeker and has a range of 120 km.[2][4][5]

On 27 February 2019, Pakistan Air Force Dassault Mirage-IIIs and JF-III carried out airstrike using REK MK-83 bombs and 2 H-4 SOW bombs targeting Indian Army brigade headquarters and forward support depots, however bombs failed to hit intended targets.[6][7]

Later in April 2019, a joint Indian Air Force-Indian Army BDS unit carried out a bomb defusal operation in Mendhar, Rajouri, where they had successfully defused 3-4 unexploded H-4 SOW bombs.[8][9]

References[]

  1. ^ Sharif, Arshad (18 December 2003). "PAF adds new bombs to its arsenal". Dawn. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
  2. ^ a b c Fisher, Jr., Richard (29 October 2004). "Report On the International Defense Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS)". International Assessment and Strategy Center (IASC). Archived from the original on 29 June 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2009.
  3. ^ Ansari, Usman (7 February 2013). "Despite Missile Integration, Nuke Role Unlikely for Pakistan's JF-17". Defense News. Archived from the original on 9 July 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
  4. ^ Ansari, Usman. "The JF-17 Thunder: A hefty punch at an affordable price". Archived from the original on 17 July 2011.
  5. ^ "Profile: Denel Dynamics Raptor Stand-Off Weapon". Retrieved 3 December 2019. It is believed that the Raptor I and Raptor II are being manufactured under license in Pakistan by the National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM) as the H-2 and H-4, respectively.
  6. ^ "Three live bombs fired by Pakistani fighter aircraft are still lying at LoC".
  7. ^ "IAF to destroy unexploded bombs fired by Pakistan after Balakot airstrikes".
  8. ^ "Three live bombs fired by Pakistani fighter aircraft are still lying at LoC".
  9. ^ "Pakistani bombs fell in Indian army compounds, didn't cause damage, say armed forces".

External links[]

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