TAURUS System GmbH (TSG), a subsidiary of LFK-Lenkflugkörpersysteme GmbH (MBDA Deutschland) and Saab Dynamics, has delivered the 600th missile to the German Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB). The delivery of the 600th missile marks the successful conclusion of the series order.
“The TAURUS order was of decisive importance to our organisation. This contract played a major role in the positive development of MBDA Deutschland. My special thanks go to our customers who supported our work over the years and helped to make this success possible”, said Werner Kaltenegger, Managing Director of MBDA Deutschland.
“We are proud to have delivered this unique missile to our German customer in the required quality and within the specified time and budgetary framework”, added Helmut Hederer, Managing Director of TAURUS Systems GmbH. “Going forward, we are optimistic that we will be able to successfully market the TAURUS KEPD 350 for export”.
“TAURUS KEPD 350 is a positive example of the successful performance on the part of industry” emphasised Brigadier General Hermann Muntz, Assistant Head of the Weapon Systems Command of the Luftwaffe and the Luftwaffe’s highest-ranking procurement officer. “With this system, the German Luftwaffe has at its disposal one of the most modern and effective guided missiles for combating fortified targets from a safe standoff range. For us, the delivery of the 600th missile does not mean that the TAURUS story is now finished. We need to respond to continually evolving mission scenarios and consider further developments”.
The TAURUS KEPD 350 is considered one of the world’s most modern long-range standoff guided missile systems. Thanks to its Tri-Tec navigation system, which consists of a GPS-supported inertial navigation, a radar altimeter and an imaging IR seeker head, the TAURUS is designed for precision strike. To achieve the maximum effect against the target, the TAURUS utilises the MEPHISTO tandem warhead system (with distance sensor, shaped charge, penetrator and PIMPF intelligent detonator system). It is designed to combat a wide range of targets, including hard, deeply buried targets, enabling the neutralisation of high value point and area targets whilst avoiding collateral damage and without exposing launch aircraft and crews to enemy air defences.
The German Luftwaffe deploys the TAURUS KEPD 350 precision standoff guided missile system on the Tornado IDS. The Spanish Air Force uses it to arm its EF-18 aircraft. All missiles were delivered on schedule to the Spanish Air Force by August 2010.
Future development enhancements to this system are possible in such areas as in-flight control, anti-ship operations, integration within a network enabled environment and integration onto the Eurofighter Typhoon.
The integration of this modular designed missile started in 2004 at the MBDA site in Schrobenhausen. In addition to the supply of the 600 missiles, the 2002 contract also included the preparation for and the carrying out of series production as well as logistics elements such as the supply of spare-parts sets and equipment for munitions monitoring.
With industrial facilities in four European countries and within the USA, MBDA has an annual turnover of EUR 2.6 billion and an order book of EUR 12 billion. With more than 90 armed forces customers in the world, MBDA is a world leader in missiles and missile systems.
MBDA is the only group capable of designing and producing missiles and missile systems that correspond to the full range of current and future operational needs of the three armed forces (land, sea and air). In total, the group offers a range of 45 missile systems and countermeasures products already in operational service and more than 15 others currently in development.
