Sky Sword II
Encyclopedia
The TC-2 Sky Sword II is a radar guided
air-to-air missile
developed by the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology
(CSIST) in Taiwan
Republic of China
(ROC) during the 1990s for the ROC Air Force
. The TC-2 is intended as the mid-range supplement of the IR guided
Sky Sword I (TC-1)
, and both are currently deployed on the ROCAF's F-CK-1 fighters.
The TC-2's seeker head is based on Motorola-Raytheon design, initially a competitor to the AIM-120 contract, which was later won by Hughes. CSIST is reported to have purchased 200 TC-2 seeker head "kits" from Raytheon. This led to speculation that the ROCAF would have no more than 200 TC-2's in its inventory.
On March 17, 2004, Jane's Defense Weekly reported that CSIST had produced an air-launched anti-radiation (ARM) missile, named Tien Chien IIA (TC-2A). The TC-2A is reported to have a new seeker head and guidance package, possibly with dual-mode passive RF and IR sensors, and an improved extended-range rocket motor. The updated missile, with its new seeker head, indicates that CSIST's TC-2/TC-2A production is not limited to the original Raytheon order.
Active radar homing
Active radar homing is a missile guidance method in which a guided missile contains a radar transceiver and the electronics necessary for it to find and track its target autonomously...
air-to-air missile
Air-to-air missile
An air-to-air missile is a missile fired from an aircraft for the purpose of destroying another aircraft. AAMs are typically powered by one or more rocket motors, usually solid fuelled but sometimes liquid fuelled...
developed by the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology
Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology
The Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology is the primary research and development institution of the Republic of China Ministry of National Defense's Armaments Bureau and has been active in the development of various weapons systems and dual use technology. CSIST is also involved in...
(CSIST) in Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
(ROC) during the 1990s for the ROC Air Force
Republic of China Air Force
The Republic of China Air Force is the aviation branch of the Republic of China Armed Forces. The ROCAF's primary mission is the defense of the airspace over and around Taiwan...
. The TC-2 is intended as the mid-range supplement of the IR guided
Infrared homing
Infrared homing refers to a passive missile guidance system which uses the emission from a target of electromagnetic radiation in the infrared part of the spectrum to track and follow it. Missiles which use infrared seeking are often referred to as "heat-seekers", since infrared is just below the...
Sky Sword I (TC-1)
Sky Sword I
The TC-1 Sky Sword I is a short range infrared guided air-to-air missile developed by the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology in Taiwan ROC, for the ROC Air Force. The missile was developed in the mid to late 1980s and is presently deployed on the ROCAF's F-CK IDF fighters...
, and both are currently deployed on the ROCAF's F-CK-1 fighters.
The TC-2's seeker head is based on Motorola-Raytheon design, initially a competitor to the AIM-120 contract, which was later won by Hughes. CSIST is reported to have purchased 200 TC-2 seeker head "kits" from Raytheon. This led to speculation that the ROCAF would have no more than 200 TC-2's in its inventory.
On March 17, 2004, Jane's Defense Weekly reported that CSIST had produced an air-launched anti-radiation (ARM) missile, named Tien Chien IIA (TC-2A). The TC-2A is reported to have a new seeker head and guidance package, possibly with dual-mode passive RF and IR sensors, and an improved extended-range rocket motor. The updated missile, with its new seeker head, indicates that CSIST's TC-2/TC-2A production is not limited to the original Raytheon order.
General characteristics (TC-2)
- Primary Function: Air-to-air missileAir-to-air missileAn air-to-air missile is a missile fired from an aircraft for the purpose of destroying another aircraft. AAMs are typically powered by one or more rocket motors, usually solid fuelled but sometimes liquid fuelled...
- Power Plant: Solid propellant
- Length: 3.60 m
- Weight: 190 kg
- Diameter: 203 mm
- Warhead: 30 kg Blast/fragmentation
- Guidance: midrange inertial guidance, terminal radar guidanceActive radar homingActive radar homing is a missile guidance method in which a guided missile contains a radar transceiver and the electronics necessary for it to find and track its target autonomously...
- Range: 60 km
- Date Deployed: 1999