KEPD 350
| 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 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 1,400 kg |
| Length | 5.1 m |
| Diameter | 1.08 m |
| Warhead | 481 kg,Mephisto (Multi-Effect Penetrator, HIgh Sophisticated and Target Optimised) |
|
|
|
| Engine | Williams P8300-15 Turbofan |
| Wingspan | 2.064 m |
|
Operational
range |
over 500 km |
| 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 |
Integrated: Tornado, F/A-18, F-15K (Tested: Gripen, Typhoon) |
Taurus KEPD 350 is a German/Swedish air-launched cruise missile, manufactured by Taurus Systems and used by Germany, Spain and South Korea. Taurus Systems GmbH is a partnership between MBDA Deutschland GmbH (formerly LFK) and Saab Bofors Dynamics.
The missile incorporates stealth characteristics and has an official range in excess of 500 kilometres (300 mi). Taurus is powered by a turbofan engine at Mach 0.8~0.9 and can be carried by the Tornado, Eurofighter Typhoon, Gripen, F/A-18 and the F-15K 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 and port facilities, AMS/ammunition storage, ships in ports/at sea 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, although it is capable of navigating over long distances without GPS support. 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 thermographic camera (infrared homing) 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 (DSMAC). 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.
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Wikipedia