HF Ⅲ Supersonic Anti-Ship Missile
Type
Supersonic Anti-Ship Missile.
Development
The Hsiung Feng III(HF III) is the third generation anti-ship missile developed by NCSIST after HF I and HF II. The biggest difference between HF III and it’s last generation anti-ship missiles is that the HF III adopts ramjet engine as its propulsion system. It makes the speed of the missile increased substantially.
The HF III development project started the critical technology research in 1994 and proceeded the first flight test in 1997. In 2004, NCSIST finished the development test and evaluation of HF III missile and then the R.O.C Navy finished the initial operational test and evaluation in 2005.
Description
The HF III supersonic anti-ship missile adopts the advanced design of Integrated Rocket Ramjet (IRR). It can minimize the size and weight of the missile. And also increase the operational flexibility and capacity of deployment on launching platform.
This missile has extraordinary Electronic Counter-Countermeasures (ECCM) capabilities. It can effectively penetrate the defense force of enemy ship.
With the outstanding aerodynamic configuration, rigid structure and flight control design, the missile is capable of reaching the target ship by supersonic speed with sea-skimming altitude. It can reduce the response time of enemy’s defense weapon system and hit the target ship by using special trajectory at terminal guidance phase. The warhead of the missile has remarkable armor-piercing capability. It will generate tremendous destructive power after the missile hits the target.
The HF III missile weapon system can be deployed on battle ships and mobile trailers. By the instructions of Command and Control System, the missiles can be launched from the different platforms, in different paths, to attack the same target ship simultaneously and saturate the defense systems of the target ship.
Specifications
The HF III missile is composed by three sections, guidance and control section, warhead section and propulsion section. The missile body is cylindrically structured with four inlet ducts and side boosters. The missile warhead is equipped the self-forging fragments. During flight, the missile adopts the inertial navigation system (INS) at mid-course navigation phase and active radar seeker at terminal guidance phase.
The guidance and control section of HF III is integrated by several electronic modules. These modules provide the functions of navigation, flight control, time sequence, target searching and power for cruising. The warhead section has the optimize design casing, dynamite fuse and related relay devices. The integrated Rocket Ramjet (IRR) of propulsion section is combined by main booster and combustion chamber. By utilizing the main booster and two side boosters, the missile can get the thrust to reach supersonic speed and ignite the liquid fuel ramjet engine for cruising.
The following are the specifications of HF III missile:
1.Range: > 100 km
2.Speed: supersonic
3.Guidance and Control: inertial navigation system (INS) with active radar seeker
4.Propulsion System: solid fuel main booster and two side boosters, liquid fuel ramjet engine
5.Seeker: active radar seeker with electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM) capabilities
6.Warhead: self-forging fragments
Status
The HF III missile system has been deployed to Cheng Kung class frigate and Jin Chiang class patrol gunboat. It plays a very important role of national defense for R.O.C Navy.