The Sky Sword II (Chinese: 天劍二, Tien Chien II), or TC-2, is a Taiwanese beyond-visual-rangeair-to-air missile. It has an inertial navigation system, a data-link for mid-course guidance and active radar homing for terminal guidance, beyond visual range. It also has ECCM capability and can engage multiple targets.[1] According to Su Tzu-yun, chief executive officer at the Center for Advanced Technology at Tamkang University, they are a cost-effective design which can perform a key role in Taiwan's defense strategy, and substantially offset China's air superiority.[2] Some details of its design were revealed for the first time at the Paris Air Show in 2015.[3] The pulse doppler radar seeker reportedly has a detection range of 9.3 km (5.8 mi).[4]
Development of the Sky Sword II family began during the 1990s.[5][1]
Service historyedit
In 2017 a Sky Sword II launched by a F-CK-1 during a training exercise failed to ignite and fell into the sea.[6] In 2019 TC-2 was among 117 missiles fired during a training exercise off Taiwan's west coast.[7]
Variantsedit
TC-2Nedit
A ship-launched TC-2N emissionA ship-launched,Surface-to-air TC-2N modelA ship-launched,Surface-to-air TC-2N model
A ship-launched, surface-to-air version was later developed and designated TC-2N. It began development in 1994, and a ground-based test was first carried out against a low-flying drone in 1997. This development was revealed to the public in 2005 and the intention to make it compatible with vertical launch methods was later announced in 2006. The first ship-based launch was held in mid 2014.[8] In the naval role the TC-2N fills an air defense gap between the Phalanx CIWS and SM-2 systems[9] with a range of 30 km (19 mi).[10]
The missile has all-weather capability, is equipped with a thrust-vectoring booster to increase its range as well as maneuverability during launch phase (although early ship-based launch trials were carried out without this feature), and can engage anti-ship missiles and aircraft. It also has folding control surfaces to be quad-packed into either above-deck oblique launchers or in-deck vertical launch systems.[8]
By May 2021 the TC-2N had passed its live fire trials and operational evaluations. Final evaluation was conducted aboard the Tuo Chiang-class corvetteTa Chiang.[11]
TC-2A is an anti-radiation missile, similar to the AGM-88 HARM. The TC-2A program began soon after the completion of the TC-2. It fills the requirement of the ROCAF for an Anti-Radiation Missile to arm the F-CK-1.[13] It is reported to be 3.6 m (11 ft 10 in) long, 19 cm (7.5 in) in diameter, weighs 184 kg (406 lb) (warhead weighs 22 kg (49 lb)), and with a range of 100 km (62 mi). The passive radar seeker on the TC-2A has been reported as having a detection range of 92 km (57 mi).[14]
TC-2Cedit
TC-2C is an advanced air-to-air version first tested in 2017 and intended to replace the standard TC-2. It features a number of incremental improvements including an improved rocket motor which allows an engagement range of 100 km (62 mi).[15] Maximum speed is in the Mach 6 range.[16]
In 2021 it was announced that an extended range version of the TC-2 had been ordered by the Air Force with 250-300 ordered from NCSIST at a unit cost of NT$30 million (US$1.07 million).[17]
The land based version of the TC-2N features the missile packaged in a sealed container-launcher.[citation needed] NCSIST has exhibited a truck mounted version with four missile pods.[18] The TC-2 air-defense system was exhibited at International Defence Exhibition in Abu Dhabi with a reported canister length of 4 m (13 ft) and an all up weight (combined canister and round) of 350 kg (770 lb). It reportedly retains the midcourse inertial guidance with data link and terminal active radar guidance schemes, as well as an electronic counter-countermeasure (ECCM) capability. Because it lacks the naval version's booster, however, its effective range is reportedly only 15 km (9.3 mi).[19]
Six batteries with 246 missiles were ordered in 2019.[20]
^Claudia Liu, Elaine Hou and. "Air Force reports another missile glitch". focustaiwan.tw. Focus Taiwan. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
^Everington, Keoni (31 July 2019). "Taiwan fires over 100 missiles during China war drills". www.taiwannews.com.tw. Taiwan News. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
^"Surface-to-Air TC-2 Mid-range Air-defense Missile". www.ncsist.org.tw/eng/csistdup/main/Default.aspx. National Chung-Shan Institute of Science & Technology. Retrieved 2019-10-22.
^Chen, Kelvin (27 May 2021). "Taiwan Navy to deploy new air defense missile system in August". www.taiwannews.com.tw. Taiwan News. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
^Yeo, Mike (13 April 2021). "Taiwan launches new amphibious vessel with anti-ship missiles". www.defensenews.com. Defense News. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
^Hsu, Brian (8 September 2000). "Report says military developing new missile". taipeitimes.com. Taipei Times. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
^Lo Tien-pin and, Jonathan Chin (25 December 2017). "Extended-range missiles ready for use". www.taipeitimes.com. Taipei Times. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
^"Taiwan's Air Force Tests Homegrown Sky Sword II C Missile". www.defenseworld.net/. Our Bureau. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
^Yu, Matt; Yeh, Joseph. "Taiwan to soon mass produce extended-range air-to-air missiles: source". focustaiwan.tw. Focus Taiwan. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
^"Land-Based Air Defense Missile System". ncsist.org.tw. NCSIST. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
^"IDEX 2019: Land-based TC-2 air defense missile system by NCSIST". armyrecognition.com. Army Recognition. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
^Zhezheng, Hong. "Army purchases Chinese Academy of Sciences Sword II land-fired air defense missile vehicle". udn.com. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
^Chun-hui, Yang; Madjar, Kayleigh (11 October 2021). "National Day: Double Ten Day celebrated with performances". taipeitimes.com. Taipei Times. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
^ abTien-pin, Lo; Chin, Jonathan. "Air force developing new jet missiles". Taipei Times. taipeitimes.com. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sky Sword II.
sword, short, range, missile, sword, chinese, 天劍二, tien, chien, taiwanese, beyond, visual, range, missile, inertial, navigation, system, data, link, course, guidance, active, radar, homing, terminal, guidance, beyond, visual, range, also, eccm, capability, eng. For the short range missile see Sky Sword I The Sky Sword II Chinese 天劍二 Tien Chien II or TC 2 is a Taiwanese beyond visual range air to air missile It has an inertial navigation system a data link for mid course guidance and active radar homing for terminal guidance beyond visual range It also has ECCM capability and can engage multiple targets 1 According to Su Tzu yun chief executive officer at the Center for Advanced Technology at Tamkang University they are a cost effective design which can perform a key role in Taiwan s defense strategy and substantially offset China s air superiority 2 Some details of its design were revealed for the first time at the Paris Air Show in 2015 3 The pulse doppler radar seeker reportedly has a detection range of 9 3 km 5 8 mi 4 Sky Sword IITC II Sky Sword 2 air to air version TypeBeyond visual range air to air missilePlace of originTaiwanService historyUsed byRepublic of China Air Force Republic of China Navy Republic of China ArmyProduction historyDesigned1990sManufacturerNational Chung Shan Institute of Science and TechnologySpecificationsMass184 kgLength3 694 m 4 6 m TC 2N Diameter19 cmOperationalrange100 km 62 mi TC 2C Maximum speedMach 6 TC 2C GuidancesystemTransis guiding phase Inertial navigation system Terminal homing phase Active radar homingLaunchplatformAir Force AIDC F CK 1 Ching Kuo Navy Tuo Chiang class corvette amp Kang Ding class in future Army Transporter erector launchersReferencesROCAF F CK 1A at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base with two TC 1 on the wingtips and two TC 2 underbodyROCAF F CK 1A underbody have two TC 2 Contents 1 Development 2 Service history 3 Variants 3 1 TC 2N 3 2 TC 2A 3 3 TC 2C 3 4 Surface to Air TC 2 3 5 TC 5 4 See also 4 1 Similar weapons 5 References 6 External linksDevelopment editDevelopment of the Sky Sword II family began during the 1990s 5 1 Service history editIn 2017 a Sky Sword II launched by a F CK 1 during a training exercise failed to ignite and fell into the sea 6 In 2019 TC 2 was among 117 missiles fired during a training exercise off Taiwan s west coast 7 Variants editTC 2N edit nbsp A ship launched TC 2N emission nbsp A ship launched Surface to air TC 2N model nbsp A ship launched Surface to air TC 2N modelA ship launched surface to air version was later developed and designated TC 2N It began development in 1994 and a ground based test was first carried out against a low flying drone in 1997 This development was revealed to the public in 2005 and the intention to make it compatible with vertical launch methods was later announced in 2006 The first ship based launch was held in mid 2014 8 In the naval role the TC 2N fills an air defense gap between the Phalanx CIWS and SM 2 systems 9 with a range of 30 km 19 mi 10 The missile has all weather capability is equipped with a thrust vectoring booster to increase its range as well as maneuverability during launch phase although early ship based launch trials were carried out without this feature and can engage anti ship missiles and aircraft It also has folding control surfaces to be quad packed into either above deck oblique launchers or in deck vertical launch systems 8 By May 2021 the TC 2N had passed its live fire trials and operational evaluations Final evaluation was conducted aboard the Tuo Chiang class corvette Ta Chiang 11 Tuo Chiang class corvette Ta Chiang PGG 619 are equipped to carry up to 16 TC 2N 12 Yushan class landing platform dock are equipped to carry up to 32 TC 2N TC 2A edit TC 2A is an anti radiation missile similar to the AGM 88 HARM The TC 2A program began soon after the completion of the TC 2 It fills the requirement of the ROCAF for an Anti Radiation Missile to arm the F CK 1 13 It is reported to be 3 6 m 11 ft 10 in long 19 cm 7 5 in in diameter weighs 184 kg 406 lb warhead weighs 22 kg 49 lb and with a range of 100 km 62 mi The passive radar seeker on the TC 2A has been reported as having a detection range of 92 km 57 mi 14 TC 2C edit TC 2C is an advanced air to air version first tested in 2017 and intended to replace the standard TC 2 It features a number of incremental improvements including an improved rocket motor which allows an engagement range of 100 km 62 mi 15 Maximum speed is in the Mach 6 range 16 In 2021 it was announced that an extended range version of the TC 2 had been ordered by the Air Force with 250 300 ordered from NCSIST at a unit cost of NT 30 million US 1 07 million 17 Surface to Air TC 2 edit nbsp Surface to Air TC 2 model and CS MPQ 90 Bee Eye radarThe land based version of the TC 2N features the missile packaged in a sealed container launcher citation needed NCSIST has exhibited a truck mounted version with four missile pods 18 The TC 2 air defense system was exhibited at International Defence Exhibition in Abu Dhabi with a reported canister length of 4 m 13 ft and an all up weight combined canister and round of 350 kg 770 lb It reportedly retains the midcourse inertial guidance with data link and terminal active radar guidance schemes as well as an electronic counter countermeasure ECCM capability Because it lacks the naval version s booster however its effective range is reportedly only 15 km 9 3 mi 19 Six batteries with 246 missiles were ordered in 2019 20 A TC 2 battery participated in the 2021 Double Ten Day parade 21 The ground launched TC 2 is also referred to as the Tien Chien III TC 3 22 TC 5 edit The Tien Chien V is an improved air to air missile under development from the TC 2 Range of 160 kilometers 99 miles 22 See also editRepublic of China Air Force Sky Bow Sky Sword ISimilar weapons edit PL 12 AAM 4 Astra R 77 AIM 120 and NASAMS RIM 162 ESSM AGM 88 HARM MeteorReferences edit a b NCSIST www ncsist org tw Retrieved 2017 02 12 Redefining Taiwan s air defense Taipei Times 16 January 2017 Weapons institute releases new video to be aired at Paris show Politics FOCUS TAIWAN CNA ENGLISH NEWS Active Radar Seeker AAM MR Sky Sword II cmano db com CMANO Retrieved 1 August 2019 NCSIST www ncsist org tw Retrieved 2017 02 12 Claudia Liu Elaine Hou and Air Force reports another missile glitch focustaiwan tw Focus Taiwan Retrieved 21 July 2019 Everington Keoni 31 July 2019 Taiwan fires over 100 missiles during China war drills www taiwannews com tw Taiwan News Retrieved 1 August 2019 a b NCSIST www ncsist org tw Retrieved 2017 02 12 Tien Chien 2N TC 2N missiledefenseadvocacy org Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance Retrieved 24 July 2019 Surface to Air TC 2 Mid range Air defense Missile www ncsist org tw eng csistdup main Default aspx National Chung Shan Institute of Science amp Technology Retrieved 2019 10 22 Chen Kelvin 27 May 2021 Taiwan Navy to deploy new air defense missile system in August www taiwannews com tw Taiwan News Retrieved 28 May 2021 Yeo Mike 13 April 2021 Taiwan launches new amphibious vessel with anti ship missiles www defensenews com Defense News Retrieved 14 April 2021 Hsu Brian 8 September 2000 Report says military developing new missile taipeitimes com Taipei Times Retrieved 1 April 2019 Passive Radar Seeker Sky Sword IIA cmano db com CMANO Retrieved 1 August 2019 Lo Tien pin and Jonathan Chin 25 December 2017 Extended range missiles ready for use www taipeitimes com Taipei Times Retrieved 1 April 2019 Taiwan s Air Force Tests Homegrown Sky Sword II C Missile www defenseworld net Our Bureau Retrieved June 27 2018 Yu Matt Yeh Joseph Taiwan to soon mass produce extended range air to air missiles source focustaiwan tw Focus Taiwan Retrieved 4 August 2021 Land Based Air Defense Missile System ncsist org tw NCSIST Retrieved 2 April 2019 IDEX 2019 Land based TC 2 air defense missile system by NCSIST armyrecognition com Army Recognition Retrieved 15 June 2019 Zhezheng Hong Army purchases Chinese Academy of Sciences Sword II land fired air defense missile vehicle udn com Retrieved 19 January 2020 Chun hui Yang Madjar Kayleigh 11 October 2021 National Day Double Ten Day celebrated with performances taipeitimes com Taipei Times Retrieved 18 November 2022 a b Tien pin Lo Chin Jonathan Air force developing new jet missiles Taipei Times taipeitimes com Retrieved 15 August 2023 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sky Sword II TC 2 info on Global Security TC 2N test video 1 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Sky Sword II amp oldid 1177797787 TC 2N, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
