TK Ⅲ Surface to Air Missile
• Type
Medium to long range, land-based air defense system
• Development
Tien Kung Ⅲ (abbreviated as TK Ⅲ), is a third generation area defense system, developed by
NCSIST indigenously. TK Ⅲ weapon system has capability to intercept tactical ballistic missile (TBM).
The development, test, and evaluation of TK Ⅲ weapon system experienced nearly 16 years
(from 1996 to 2011). In the first phase (1996~2000), demonstration and validation phase, the
feasibility of critical technologies or subsystems were demonstrated, such as seeker, phased array
radar, guidance law, and etc.
In the following engineering & manufacturing developing phase (2001~2009), the configuration of
TK Ⅲ weapon system is determined. In addition, the performance of system is optimized
and the
improvement of producibility was also considered.. The development test and evaluation (DT&E)
is used to validate the feasibility and improve the defects. The first flight test of missile was
conducted in 2001.
The interception of TBM initiated in 2007.
Finally, operation test and evaluation (OT&E), conducted by Taiwan Military, started in 2009.
In OT&E, the performance, effectiveness, and suitability of TK Ⅲ weapon system were measured.
In this period, TK Ⅲ system performed interception of air breathing targets and TBM through
single-shut or ripple-fired. Meanwhile, the multiple simultaneous engagements capability is also
verified. OT&E of TK Ⅲ weapon system finished in 2011.
• Description
TK Ⅲ weapon system is constructed by missile, canister, and fire control units. The fire control units
are composed of phased array radar, engagement control station, power plant equipment,
communication relay, and launcher. The weapon system could engage high performance fighters,
cruise missiles, anti-radiation missiles, and short range ballistic missile with multiple simultaneous
engagements. It is designed to be operated by battery autonomously or under control from higher
echelon units.
The fire control units are mobile to increase survivability in the battlefield. Furthermore, in order to
deploy flexibly and increase protected area, the system could be deployed in a distributed mode
with wireless communications via communication relay.
The phased array radar has anti-ballistic missile capability. In this way, the system could track small
radar reflection targets. The radar also has target identification, IFF (Identification friend/foe), and
ECCM (Electronic counter-countermeasures) capabilities.
TK Ⅲ interceptor is launched vertically. The missile is a single stage with high specific-impulse and
burning-rate of solid propellant. Therefore, the missile has superior acceleration and velocity
performance.
The maximum flight speed of TK Ⅲ missile is up to hypersonic. These make the missile to have
good aerodynamic steering to intercept highly maneuvered targets.
The navigation system of TK Ⅲ missile has two phases. In midcourse, the radar tracking information
is uplinked to correct IRU. In terminal phase, the missile-target range is converged through
microwave seeker, providing high accuracy navigation information to the guidance system. As TK Ⅲ
missile in the fused mode, the directional warhead is active to destroy the target through centralized
and high energy fragments.
• Specifications
• Range: medium to long range
• Propulsion: single stage with solid propellant motor
• Flight speed: hypersonic
• Navigation: midcourse phase: IRU + radar uplink
• Terminal phase: microwave seeker
• Warhead: directional
• Status
Ministry of National Defense of Taiwan declared to purchase TK Ⅲ weapon system. The weapon
system is still production underway and is going to be substituted for Hawk SAM. TK Ⅲ and Patriot
construct the area air defense system of Taiwan.