News Review: MBDA delivers 600th Taurus KEPD 350 to the Luftwaffe | ADM Feb 2011

Taurus System GmbH (TSG) has delivered the 600th, and final, Taurus KEPD 350 stand-off air-surface missile to the German Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB).

Earlier in 2010 TSG completed deliveries of the weapon on schedule to the Spanish Air Force.

“The Taurus order was of decisive importance to our organisation." Werner Kaltenegger, managing director of MBDA Deutschland said.

"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.” 

TSG is a joint venture between LFK-Lenkflugkörpersysteme GmbH (MBDA Deutschland) and Saab Dynamics.

“Going forward, we are optimistic that we will be able to successfully market the Taurus KEPD 350 for export.”

The Luftwaffe deploys the weapon on its Tornado IDS.

The Spanish Air Force uses it to arm its EF-18 aircraft.

The KEPD 350 was a shortlisted contender to equip RAAF Hornets with a follow on stand-off weapon under Project Air 5418.

The RAAF selected the Lockheed Martin AGM-158 JASSM, which is now on the Projects of Concern list.

The Taurus KEPD 350 uses a Tri-Tec navigation system consisting of GPS-supported inertial navigation, a radar altimeter and an imaging IR seeker head.

It also employs 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.

Potential future enhancements could include in-flight control, anti-ship operations, integration within a network enabled environment and integration onto the Eurofighter Typhoon.