Taiwan showcases missile technology in first appearance in 12 years | World Defense

Taiwan showcases missile technology in first appearance in 12 years

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Richard D Fisher Jr, Paris and James Hardy, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
17 June 2015
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The HF-3 has a reported speed of Mach 2.0 to 2.3 and a range of 81 n miles. Source: NCSIST
Taiwan's National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) showcased its Hsiung Feng 3 (HF-3) supersonic anti-ship missile in its first appearance at the Paris Air Show in 12 years.

Since its establishment in 1969 NCSIST has been Taiwan's primary weapons developer and manufacturer. In 2014 it transformed into a quasi-commercial corporation intended to foster greater international and civil technology co-operation.

At Paris NCSIST displayed models of recently developed missile systems currently used exclusively by Taiwan's armed forces. Generating most interest was a model of the ramjet-powered HF-3 ASM. While they did not reveal performance data (although IHS Jane's has previously reported it has a speed of Mach 2.0 to 2.3 and a range of 81 n miles), NCSIST officials called the HF-3 "our Sunburn" - a reference to Russia's Mach 3 speed, 120 km-range Raduga Design Bureau P-270 (3M80 Moskit, Nato reporting name 'Sunburn').

NCSIST officials admitted that the HF-3 had generated a lot of interest but no sales leads in Paris. They also said that while there is no requirement so far from Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND), vertically launched and air-launched versions of the HF-3 could be developed. Currently the HF-3 arms some Taiwanese naval vessels in deck-based canisters.

Also on show was the Ray Ting-2000 (RT-2000) 12-round wheeled multiple launch artillery rocket (MLR) system. The RT-2000 operates from a MAN TG (8x8) series truck and can be configured to launch MK 15 (117 mm), MK 30 (180 mm), and MK 45 (230 mm) rockets, with the figure of 15, 30, and 45 indicating the range of the rocket in km. At Paris, NCSIST officials said a guided 'sensor-fused munition' version is in early development.

The Tien Kung II (Sky Bow 2, or TK-2) surface-to-air-missile (SAM) was also displayed. NCSIST officials called the more recent TK-3 "our Patriot PAC-2", referring to the Raytheon system, which is also in Taiwanese service. NCSIST officials said the TK-2 and TK-3 missiles use active radar guidance systems.

IHS Jane's has previously reported that the TK 3 will replace MIM-23 HAWK missiles from 2015 to 2024, according to the MND, and will be integrated with the PAVE Phased Array Warning System (PAWS) and Patriot air defence systems to help provide medium- and long-range air defence.

NCSIST also showcased the TC-2N, a vertically launched naval version of the active-guided Tien Chien IIA (TC-2A) anti-radiation medium-range air-to-air missile, which is believed to have a dual-mode design that incorporates passive RF and infrared sensors.

According to NCSIST officials, the only discussions that could lead to a possible sale concerned its 330 kt speed, 30-40 minute endurance Spark target drone.

Paris Air Show 2015: Taiwan showcases missile technology in first appearance in 12 years - IHS Jane's 360
 
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