Taurus missile
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| TAURUS KEPD 350 | |
|---|---|
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| Basic data | |
| Function | long-range, air-to-surface missile |
| Manufacturer | TAURUS Systems GmbH |
| Unit cost | Germany is reported to have paid EUR 570 million for 600. |
| Entered service | 2004 |
| General characteristics | |
| Engine | Williams P8300-15 Turbofan |
| Launch mass | 1400 kg |
| Length | 5100 mm |
| Diameter | 1080 mm |
| Wingspan | 2064 mm |
| Speed | Mach 0.80~0.95 |
| Range | over 350 km |
| Flying altitude | 30–40 m |
| Warhead | 499 kg |
| Guidance | 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 |
TAURUS KEPD 350 Target Adaptive Unitary and Dispenser Robotic Ubiquity System / Kinetic Energy Penetrator and Destroyer is a German/Swedish air-launched cruise missile, manufactured by TAURUS System GmbH (TSG) and used by Germany and Spain.
The stealthy missile TAURUS KEPD 350 has a range in excess of over 350 km (officially). 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 warhead features a precharge and initial penetrating charge to clear soil or enter a bunker, then a variable delay fuse to control detonation of the main warhead. The missile weighs about 1,400 kg and has a maximum body diameter of 1 m. Intended targets are hardened bunkers, command, control and communications; airfield facilities; port facilities; AMS/ammunition storage; ships/submarines in ports 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. TAURUS KEPD 350 is the world's only precision stand-off guided missile system that is capable of navigating over long distances without GPS support. 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 modell. If it can't it can stick of the others 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 KEPD 350 is also attracting great interest in other countries. Spain's military bought 43 missiles while other countries have also expressed interest in the precision stand-off guided missile system.
[edit] Operators
Germany: 600 ordered for the Luftwaffe
Spain: 43 ordered for the Spanish Air Force
[edit] References
