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AS-34 Kormoran 2



ORIGIN: (Real World)
Germany

GAMES FEATURED IN:
Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies
Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War
Ace Combat 06: Fires of Liberation

COMPATIBLE AIRCRAFT:
Tornado GR.4

OVERVIEW:
The AS-34 Kormoran 2 is a short-range, air-launched, solid-propellant, single warhead, air-to-surface missile developed and manufactured by Germany. The Kormoran combines range, accuracy, and hard-hitting power in one smooth, aerodynamic package.

Development of the AS-34 Kormoran 1 began in 1962, and Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm became the prime contractor in 1967. The missile was initially designed for anti-ship warfare in coastal waters, although it can also be used against land targets as well. It is currently deployed on F-104G Star fighter and Tornado aircraft.

The AS-34 Kormoran 2 is an enhanced version of the AS-34 Kormoran 1. Development began in 1983, and the first flight and firing trials took place in 1986. The missile features an improved warhead, digital electronics, an updated active radar seeker, a more powerful booster rocket, a longer range, target selection, multiple launch capability, and an increased resistance to countermeasures. The system utilizes top-notch seeker technology for target selection and works on the fire-and-forget principle; the range exceeds 30 kilometers.

Air launched against ships or land targets, the Kormoran employs inertial guidance for cruising. When it reaches its target at the end of its 23 mile range, active radar homing takes over. Kormoran's 352 lb. warhead is delay fused, to allow it to penetrate up to 90mm of steel plate before detonating

Kormoran 2 is the upgunned version of the successful Kormoran 1 guided missile. It has been adapted to the German Navy plane Tornado and can be deployed as a standoff weapon against surface vessels. The AS-34 Kormoran 2 has the same basic airframe as Kormoran 1. It is 4.4 m in length, has a body diameter of 0.34 m, and has a launch weight of 630 kg. Propulsion is solid propellant, and the missile is guided by an inertial navigation system (INS) in the mid course phase, and an active radar in the terminal phase. Its larger booster motors give the AS-34 Kormoran 2 a longer maximum range of 35 km. The missile carries a 220 kg high explosive semi-armor piercing warhead.

Testing was completed in 1987, and the AS-34 Kormoran 2 entered production two years later. In 1991, the missile entered service with the German Navy. About 140 missiles were produced.

Specification
Country: Germany
Class: ALCM
Target: Ship
Length: 4.40 m
Diameter: 0.34 m
Launch Weight: 630.00 kg
Payload: 220 kg HE, SAP
Propulsion: Solid w/ solid booster
Range: 35.00 km
Guidance: INS, active radar
Status: Operational
In Service: 1991-Present


Source
MissileThreat.com
GlobalSecurity.org

*Original Article by MenAce (Ribbon-Vermilion)*