Taurus KEPD 350
| TAURUS KEPD 350 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Long-range air-to-surface missile |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2005 |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | TAURUS Systems GmbH |
| Unit cost | 950,000 EUR |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 1,400 kg |
| Length | 5.1 m |
| Diameter | 1.08 m |
| Wingspan | 2.064 m |
| Warhead | 500 kg, Mephisto (Multi-Effect Penetrator, HIgh Sophisticated and Target Optimised) |
| Engine | Williams P8300-15 Turbofan |
Operational range | over 500 km[1] |
| Flight altitude | 30–40 m |
| Maximum speed | Mach 0.80~0.95 |
Guidance system | IBN (Image Based Navigation), INS (Inertial Navigation System), TRN (Terrain Referenced Navigation) and MIL-GPS (Global Positioning System) |
Launch platform | Typhoon, Tornado, Gripen, F/A-18, F-15E |
TAURUS KEPD 350[2] is a German/Swedish air-launched cruise missile, manufactured by TAURUS Systems and used by Germany and Spain. TAURUS Systems GmbH is a partnership between LFK (EADS/MBDA) and Saab Bofors Dynamics.[3]
Overview
The missile incorporates stealth characteristics and has an official range in excess of 500 kilometres (300 mi).[4] Taurus is powered by a turbofan engine at Mach 0.8~0.9 and can be carried by the Tornado, Eurofighter Typhoon, Gripen and F/A-18 aircraft.
The double 500-kilogram (1,100 lb) warhead called Mephisto (Multi-Effect Penetrator, HIgh Sophisticated and Target Optimised) features a precharge and initial penetrating charge to clear soil or enter a bunker, then a variable delay fuze to control detonation of the main warhead. The missile weighs about 1,400 kg (3,100 lb) and has a maximum body diameter of 1 metre (3.3 ft). Intended targets are hardened bunkers, command, control and communications; airfield facilities; port facilities; AMS/ammunition storage; ships in ports/at sea and bridges.
The missile also includes counter measures as a self-defence mechanism.
Mission planners program the missile with the target, air defence locations and planned ground path, then the missile uses a low terrain-hugging flight path guided by INS, IBN, TRN and GPS to the proximity of the target, although it is capable of navigating over long distances without GPS support.[5] Once there the missile commences a bunt (climb) manoeuver to an altitude intended to achieve the best probability of target acquisition and penetration. During the cruise flight a high resolution infra-red camera can support the navigation by using IBN and is also used for GPS-free target attack. The missile attempts to match a camera image with the planned 3D target model. If it cannot, it defaults to the other navigation systems, or, if there is a high risk of collateral damage, it will steer to a pre-designated crash point instead of risking an inaccurate attack with undesired consequences.
TAURUS Systems GmbH has also proposed an anti-ship variant.[6]
Export
Spain's military bought 43 missiles. The integration of the TAURUS in the Spanish Air Force service line has been certified by the successful completion of a dedicated test campaign in South Africa, carried out in May 2009.[7]
South Korea is planning to order 200 missiles to integrate with their F-15K Slam Eagles after being refused Lockheed Martin's AGM-158 JASSM by Washington.[8] The Korean National Assembly has advised the government to re-evaluate plans to buy the TAURUS citing high costs.[9]
TAURUS Systems GmbH has offered Taurus KEPD 350 to the Indian Air Force for its Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets.
Operators
Germany- 600 ordered for the Luftwaffe for €570 million[10] Deliveries ended on December 2010.[11]
Spain- 43 ordered for the Spanish Air Force.[12] Deliveries ended in August 2010.[11] The programme cost €60m.[13]
Republic of Korea- 200 reportedly ordered for the South Korean Air Force.[14][15]
See also
References
- ^ "MBDA" (PDF). http://www.mbda-systems.com/products/air-dominance/taurus-kepd-350/31/. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
{{cite web}}: External link in|work= - ^ Target Adaptive Unitary and Dispenser Robotic Ubiquity System / Kinetic Energy Penetrator and Destroyer
- ^ "Gripen Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft, Sweden". www.airforce-technology.com. Retrieved July 17, 2007.
- ^ "Taurus Systems GmbH". whttp://www.taurus-systems.de. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
{{cite web}}: External link in|work= - ^ "Defence Update". whttp://www.defense-update.com. Retrieved May 6, 2008.
{{cite web}}: External link in|work= - ^ "Germany receives last Taurus cruise missile". Retrieved December 19, 2010.
- ^ "El Ejército del Aire incrementa su capacidad operativa con la integración del misil TAURUS en el F-18". Retrieved June 15, 2009.
- ^ "S.Korea to buy bunker busting missiles from Europe". http://www.reuters.com/. Reuters. April 4, 2013. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
{{cite web}}: External link in|work= - ^ Parliament advises review of Taurus, Global Hawk acquisition plan - Koreaherald.com, 5 July 2013
- ^ "EADS N.V." http://www.eads.com/. Retrieved September 11, 2007.
{{cite web}}: External link in|work= - ^ a b Hoyle, Craig. "Germany receives last Taurus cruise missile" Flightglobal.com, December 14, 2010. Retrieved December 14, 2010.
- ^ http://www.mde.es/dgam/principalesprogramasaym.htm#M3
- ^ Ministerio de Defensa (September 2011). "Evaluación de los Programas Especiales de Armamento (PEAs)" (PDF) (in Spanish). Madrid: Grupo Atenea. Retrieved September 30, 2012.
- ^ "S.Korea to Buy Bunker-Buster Missiles from Europe". http://english.chosun.com/. The Chosun Ilbo. April 4, 2013. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
{{cite web}}: External link in|work= - ^ Keck, Zachary (June 21, 2013). "South Korea to Purchase Bunker-Buster Missile". thediplomat.com. The Diplomat. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
External links
