Hsiung Feng II

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The Hsiung Feng II (HF-2) (雄風二號, "Brave Wind II") is an anti-ship missile system developed by the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology in Taiwan ROC. The HF-2 is designed to be deployed aboard ships or at land-based facilities, an airborne version has also been developed which can be carried by the ROC Air Force's F-CK fighters. The HF-2 has ECCM capabilities and is deployed on the ROC Navy's Cheng Kung class frigates and at several land based sites. In 2000, plans were announced to replace the HF-2 missiles stationed on the Cheng Kung frigates with the RGM-84 Harpoon, but the budget for this was cancelled.

In 2001 a land attack cruise missile variant known as the HF-2E was announced, mass production of the HF-2E began in 2005.

1 Versions
2 Future Development
3 General characteristics
4 See also
5 External references

[edit] Versions

There are three major versions of HF-2 in service. The first to enter service is the ship-based HF-2, with 2 twin box launcher on destroyer DD-915 first as trail vessel. Later all major surface combatant in RoCN, except the Knox, were equipped with 2 quad-launchers.

Air-launched version appeared in the early 90s. Carried by two AT-3B trainer/attacker and a single A-3 attacker, the small force poses little threat to the marine intruders due to its small quantity. However, the recent upgraded IDF (F-CK-1C/D) will add the capacity to carry and launch the HF-2, thus greatly enhance the air-to-surface capacity of RoCAF in future.

The land-launch version of the HF-2 is the most secretive one, because its relation with the land-attack version of HF-2E. Fixed base versions were produced first, and all major outlying islands of Taiwan were equipped with fortified HF-2 bases in late 90s, replacing old HF-1 bases. Fixed HF-1 bases in the main island was also being replaced with fixed HF-2 launchers, again in fortified positions.

The mobile launcher version was accepted in 2005 and went to mass production in 2006. All mobile launchers, together with mobile command center (with data-link), mobile surface search radar and mobile electric generators, were kept in harden shelters and being driven out when needed.

A submarine launched version was planned and designed in the mid-90s, but nothing more was being heard. Selling of the UGM-84 by US in 2001 may probably terminate it.

[edit] Future Development

Although the next generation supersonic SSM, the HF-3, has recently completed its development and will start production soon, the development of the HF-2 continues.

In mid-90s the fuel for HF-2 was changed, which doubled its range (80km to 160km). The IR seeker was also being changed to an IR imaging seeker, which greatly enhance the IRCCM ability. Also, with the IR imaging seeker, the HF-2 was then able to attack shore targets also, with pre-stored target shape inside missile's computer.

In the late 90s CSIST begin to develop the supersonic version of HF-2, which could accelerate to low supersonic speed (Mach 1.5) in final dash, thus increase its chance to kill the target. Development was rumored finished, and some older HF-2 was being replaced with the new supersonic HF-2.

Some HF-2 based on outlying islands, together with HF-2 fitted on some vessels, has replaced its radar and IR seeker with GPS guidance unit plus a TV/IR seeker for terminal guidance. This would act as an early threat to the mainland China, and would continue until the CSIST finish its HF-2E development.

[edit] General characteristics

Primary Function: Anti-ship missile, some prototypes land attack cruise missiles
Power Plant: Solid propellant booster, turbojet in-flight
Range: 160 km (antiship)
Top Speed: 0.85 Mach
Weight: 685 kg
Length: 4.8 m
Diameter: 40 cm
Warhead: 180 kg high explosive warhead plus advanced technology self-forging fragmentation
Guidance: Inertial guidance midflight, terminal active homing with dual RF and IR imaging seekers
Date Deployed: Early 1990s