AS.34 Kormoran
The AS.34 Kormoran (cormorant) is a German-produced anti-ship missile. The Kormoran uses an inertial guidance system for the midcourse phase, switching to active radar homing during the terminal attack phase. It carries a 165 kg (363 lb) delay-fused warhead, designed for 90mm of penetration prior to detonation. The maximum range is 23 km (~14 miles).
| AS.34 Kormoran | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Medium-range, active radar homing air-to-surface missile |
| Place of origin | Germany |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Germany, Italy |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | EADS |
| Produced | Kormoran 1: 1973 Kormoran 2: 1991 |
| Variants | Kormoran 1 Kormoran 2 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 600 kg/630 kg |
| Length | 4.40 m |
| Diameter | 344 mm |
| Warhead | 165 kg/220 kg |
| Engine | solid-propellant rocket motor |
Operational range | 23 km/35 km |
| Maximum speed | Mach 0.9 |
Guidance system | INS/active radar |
Launch platform | Aircraft:
|
Design and development
Development of the Kormoran started in 1962, being taken over by Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (now a part of EADS) in 1967. The missile was originally designed for anti-shipping roles in coastal waters, although it retains a secondary land-attack capability as well. It was deployed on the Panavia Tornado. 350 Kormoran 1s were produced.
The AS.34 Kormoran 2 is an improved version of the AS.34 Kormoran 1. Development was started in 1983, with first flight and firing trials taking place in early 1986. The missile features an improved warhead, all-digital electronics, improved active radar seeker, increased ECM-resistance, a stronger booster rocket, a longer range, improved automated target selection, multiple launch capability, and an increased resistance to countermeasures.
While still using the same basic airframe as Kormoran 1, the Kormoran 2 has a greater range of 35 km (21.7 miles) and a heavier 220 kg (485 lb) warhead.
Testing ended in 1987, and the missile entered service with the German Navy in 1991. Approximately 140 missiles were produced for Germany.
Specifications
- Name: AS.34 Kormoran 1/2
- Weight: 600/630 kg
- Length: 4,40 m
- Range: 23/35 km
- Warhead: 165/220 kg
- Guidance: INS/active radar homing
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to AS.34 Kormoran. |
- MissileThreat.com courtesy of The Claremont Institute, retrieved 2 August 2007
- Federation of American Scientists entry, AS.34 Kormoran, retrieved 2 August 2007