KEPD 350

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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
Weight 1,400 kg
Length 5.1 m
Diameter 1.08 m
Warhead 500 kg, Mephisto (Multi-Effect Penetrator, HIgh Sophisticated and Target Optimised)
Engine Williams P8300-15 Turbofan
Wingspan 2.064 m
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, 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.

Taurus on ILA air show 2006

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) manoeuvre 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 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

  1. ↑ "MBDA". http://www.mbda-systems.com/products/air-dominance/taurus-kepd-350/31/. Retrieved August 30, 2013. 
  2. ↑ Target Adaptive Unitary and Dispenser Robotic Ubiquity System / Kinetic Energy Penetrator and Destroyer
  3. ↑ "Gripen Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft, Sweden". www.airforce-technology.com. Retrieved July 17, 2007. 
  4. ↑ "Taurus Systems GmbH". whttp://www.taurus-systems.de. Retrieved September 3, 2007. 
  5. ↑ "Defence Update". whttp://www.defense-update.com. Retrieved May 6, 2008. 
  6. ↑ "Germany receives last Taurus cruise missile". Retrieved 2010-12-19. 
  7. ↑ "El Ejército del Aire incrementa su capacidad operativa con la integración del misil TAURUS en el F-18". Retrieved June 15, 2009. 
  8. ↑ "S.Korea to buy bunker busting missiles from Europe". http://www.reuters.com/. Reuters. April 4, 2013. Retrieved April 7, 2013. 
  9. ↑ Parliament advises review of Taurus, Global Hawk acquisition plan - Koreaherald.com, 5 July 2013
  10. ↑ "EADS N.V.". http://www.eads.com/. Retrieved September 11, 2007. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Hoyle, Craig. "Germany receives last Taurus cruise missile" Flightglobal.com, December 14, 2010. Retrieved December 14, 2010.
  12. ↑ http://www.mde.es/dgam/principalesprogramasaym.htm#M3
  13. ↑ Ministerio de Defensa (September 2011). "Evaluación de los Programas Especiales de Armamento (PEAs)" (in Spanish). Madrid: Grupo Atenea. Retrieved September 30, 2012. 
  14. ↑ "S.Korea to Buy Bunker-Buster Missiles from Europe". http://english.chosun.com/. The Chosun Ilbo. April 4, 2013. Retrieved April 7, 2013. 
  15. ↑ Keck, Zachary (June 21, 2013). "South Korea to Purchase Bunker-Buster Missile". thediplomat.com. The Diplomat. Retrieved June 21, 2013. 

External links

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