Taurus missile
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| TAURUS KEPD 350 | |
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| Type | long-range air-to-surface missile |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2005 |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | TAURUS Systems GmbH |
| Unit cost | 950,000 EUR |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 1400 kg |
| Length | 5100 mm |
| Diameter | 1080 mm |
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| Warhead | 499 kg |
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| Engine | Williams P8300-15 Turbofan |
| Wingspan | 2064 mm |
| Operational range |
over 500 km[1] |
| Flight altitude | 30–40 m |
| 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 |
TAURUS KEPD 350[2] is a German/Swedish air-launched cruise missile, manufactured by TAURUS Systems GmbH and used by Germany and Spain. TAURUS Systems is a partnership between LFK (EADS/MBDA) and Saab Bofors Dynamics.[3]
Contents |
[edit] Overview
The missile incorporates stealth characteristics and has an official range in excess of 500 kilometres (311 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 499-kilogram (1,100 lb) warhead called Mephisto 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 (3,086 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/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 [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 can't, 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.
[edit] Export
Spain's military bought 43 missiles. Other countries have also expressed interest in the precision stand-off guided missile system.[citation needed]
[edit] Operators
Germany: 600 ordered for the Luftwaffe for €570 million[6]
Spain: 43 ordered for the Spanish Air Force
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes and references
- ^ Taurus Systems GmbH. whttp://www.taurus-systems.de. Retrieved on 2007-09-03.
- ^ Target Adaptive Unitary and Dispenser Robotic Ubiquity System / Kinetic Energy Penetrator and Destroyer
- ^ Gripen Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft, Sweden. www.airforce-technology.com. Retrieved on 2007-07-17.
- ^ Tairus Systems GmbH. whttp://www.taurus-systems.de. Retrieved on 2007-09-03.
- ^ Defence Update. whttp://www.defense-update.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-06.
- ^ EADS N.V.. http://www.eads.com/. Retrieved on 2007-09-11.
