Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Enhancements sought for German-Swedish cruise missile
Flight International ^ | 03/10/06

Posted on 10/03/2006 6:15:28 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki

Taurus Systems seeks enhanced cruise missile

Less than a year after entering operational service with the German air force, Taurus Systems’ KEPD 350 cruise missile is being lined up for capability enhancements.

Future develoments of the 1,400kg (3,100lb) weapon now under consideration include a reduced mass 350L version suitable for carriage by small fighter aircraft such as Lockheed Martin’s F-16, and a containerised variant intended for booster-assisted launch from ships, fixed land sites or trucks, says Taurus Systems business development executive Ulf Albinsson.

The EADS LFK/Saab Bofors Dynamics joint venture has identified as near-term growth priorities the addition of a two-way datalink to enable the more than 500km (270nm)-range weapon to relay infrared reconnaissance images while en route to its intended target, and battle damage assessment information during its terminal attack phase. The datalink could also be used to provide a new mission abort capability, says Albinsson, who adds that other growth targets include the integration of modular payload and multiple warhead packages and an enhanced mission control system.

Other future applications being studied by Taurus include release from a maritime patrol aircraft such as a Lockheed P-3 for anti-ship missions, or from the cargo hold of a transport aircraft, Albinsson says.

Armed with a dual-charge Mephisto penetrating warhead, the current KEPD 350 design has been identified as being suitable for use against more than 50 target types, its manufacturer says, including fixed infrastructure sites such as runways and bridges. The weapon can also be employed against “soft” targets using its air-burst setting.

The German air force took delivery of its first of 600 KEPD 350 missiles in November 2005, while Spain has also signed a contract to acquire an initial 43 weapons.


TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Germany; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: armsbuildup; cruisemissile; eads; ef2000; eurofighter; germany; kepd350; kepd350taurus; missiles; saab; taurus
Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

A Swedish Gripen with 2 Taurus missiles

1 posted on 10/03/2006 6:15:29 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: sukhoi-30mki

Wish I had one of those...


2 posted on 10/03/2006 7:16:14 AM PDT by Redcitizen (When you have to shoot, shoot, don't talk. -Tuco)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sukhoi-30mki
Interesting. I would of thought a Swedish-German missile would be blond not red.
3 posted on 10/03/2006 7:18:38 AM PDT by MNJohnnie (Say Leftists. How many Nazis did killing Nazis in WW2 create? or Samurai? or Fascists?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sukhoi-30mki

Do the missles work more than 32 hours a week?


4 posted on 10/03/2006 8:17:49 AM PDT by jim_trent
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson