Article Posted on : - Jul 04, 2011

NÜRNBERG, GERMANY (BNS): Germany’s Diehl Defence and Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems are designing a new glide missile that will be fitted on Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets.

The new PILUM air-to-surface missile with short to medium range has been unveiled for the first time at the Paris Air Show last month.

The new weapon is a derivative of the Diehl-designed HOSBO precision-guided bomb that has been specifically designed for Eurofighter Typhoon fighters.

The PILUM missile will use the HOSBO airframe, guidance and control section as well as the aircraft interface of the glide weapon in combination with the unique “scene-matching technology” of Rafael’s SPICE airborne system, Diehl said.

The missile will use GPS/INS guidance system and would be fitted with dual-band seeker that will help in tracking down moving enemy targets.

The PILUM missile will be used against ships, enemy radar positions as well as air defence systems.

“This solution meets operational requirements such as close-in air support, aerial sealing off, air-based anti-ship engagement as well as suppressing and eliminating the adversary’s air defence,” the German defence firm said.

Developed by the European consortium led by Germany, UK, Italy and Spain, the Eurofighter Typhoon multi-role combat planes are presently operational in six countries.

India has shortlisted the fighter plane for its over $10 billion dollar deal to acquire 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft for the air force.