Article Posted on : - Dec 08, 2010

GAF Tornado during live fire exercises with the Taurus. Photo: LFK-Lenkflugkörpersysteme GmbH.

BERLIN (BNS): TAURUS System GmbH (TSG), a subsidiary of LFK-Lenkflugkörpersysteme GmbH (MBDA Deutschland) and Saab Dynamics, has delivered the 600th missile to the German Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB).

"The TAURUS order was of decisive importance to our organisation. This contract played a major role in the positive development of MBDA Deutschland.," Werner Kaltenegger, Managing Director of MBDA Deutschland, was quoted as saying in an MBDA news release.

The TAURUS KEPD 350 is considered one of the world’s most modern long-range standoff guided missile systems.

Its Tri-Tec navigation system consists of a GPS-supported inertial navigation, a radar altimeter and an imaging IR seeker head.

To achieve the maximum effect against the target, the TAURUS utilises the MEPHISTO tandem warhead system (with distance sensor, shaped charge, penetrator and PIMPF intelligent detonator system). It is designed to combat a wide range of targets, including hard, deeply buried targets, enabling the neutralisation of high value point and area targets whilst avoiding collateral damage and without exposing launch aircraft and crews to enemy air defences, the report added.

The German Luftwaffe deploys the TAURUS KEPD 350 precision standoff guided missile system on the Tornado IDS. The Spanish Air Force uses it to arm its EF-18 aircraft. All missiles were delivered on schedule to the Spanish Air Force by August 2010.

Future development enhancements to this system are possible in such areas as in-flight control, anti-ship operations, integration within a network enabled environment and integration onto the Eurofighter Typhoon.

The integration of this modular designed missile started in 2004 at the MBDA site in Schrobenhausen. In addition to the supply of the 600 missiles, the 2002 contract also included the preparation for and the carrying out of series production as well as logistics elements such as the supply of spare-parts sets and equipment for munitions monitoring.