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 its precedent generation anti-ship
missiles is that the HF Ⅲ adopts ramjet engine as its propulsion system. It makes the speed of
the missile substantially increased.
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 of 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 with 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.