Sky Bow
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The Sky Bow series of surface-to-air missiles were developed by the Republic of China (Taiwan), and are currently in use for air defense purposes.
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[edit] Development
The development of the Sky Bow 1 (Tien Kung 1) missile system was started in 1981 by the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology. Firing trials for Sky Bow 1 started in 1986, using a semi-active radar seeker. A passive IR terminal seeker was also developed as an alternative, and this was successfully tested against a HAWK missile target. The Chungshan Institute also developed a phased-array radar for use with Sky Bow 1, which was mobile and could provide all-round radar cover with four separate faces. The developent Sky Bow 2 started around 1986, and this added a tandem boost motor and an active radar terminal seeker. Proposals were reported to develop Sky Bow 2 into a surface-to-surface missile, and unconfirmed reports suggest that this missile is known as Tien Chi. Modifications have been developed for Sky Bow 2 to provide it with a limited capability against shorter-range ballistic missiles, and the first test firing against a ballistic missile target.
[edit] Sky Bow I
The Sky Bow I (TK-1) (天弓一, Tien Kung I) is a surface-to-air missile system developed by the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology in Taiwan ROC. The system itself is a derivative of the U.S. Patriot missile system and was built with technological input from Raytheon. The TK-1 is designed primarily to target medium and high altitude attacks, the missiles are housed in underground silos designed to survive intensive attack, and are an integral part of Taiwan's dense air defense network. In addition to bases on Taiwan proper, the TK-1 has also been deployed by the ROC Army on the outlying islands of Kinmen and Matsu, bringing all of the PRC's Fujian Province, and parts of Zhejiang and Guangdong Provinces within range.
[edit] General characteristics
- Primary Function: Surface-to-air missile
- Power Plant: Single stage dual thrust solid fuel rocket
- Platform: Underground silos
- Range: 100 km
- Guidance: Ground based phased array radar
- Date Deployed: 1993
[edit] Sky Bow II
The Sky Bow II (TK-2) (天弓二, Tien Kung II) is a surface-to-air missile system developed by the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology in Taiwan ROC. The system is a more advanced version of the Sky Bow I (TK-1) SAM with a longer range and limited anti-missile capability. It is speculated that a more advanced variant of the TK-2 is in development which may be used as a surface-to-surface missile. The TK-2 has also been modified for use as a sounding rocket to perform upper atmospheric research for the civilian space program.
[edit] General characteristics
- Primary Function: Surface-to-air missile
- Power Plant: Single stage dual thrust solid fuel rocket
- Platform: Underground silos
- Range: 200 km
- Length: 9.1 m
- Weight: 0.57 m
- Diameter: 1100 kg
- Top Speed: Mach 4.0
- Warhead: 90 kg
- Guidance: Ground based phased array radar
- Date Deployed: 1998
[edit] Sky Bow III
The Sky Bow III (TK-3) (天弓三, Tien Kung III) is a surface-to-air missile system developed by the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology in Taiwan. The third generation system is a more advanced version of the Sky Bow II (TK-2) SAM with a longer range and and improved anti-missile capability.
It is in the final stages of research and development. It will then enter mass production and become part of Taiwan's Anti-Tactical Ballistic Missile (ATBM) project, Taiwan's planned missile shield.
[edit] External links
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