AS.34 Kormoran

AS.34 Kormoran
Type Medium-range, active radar homing air-to-surface missile
Place of origin  Germany
Service history
Used by Germany, Italy
Production history
Manufacturer EADS
Produced Kormoran 1: 1973
Kormoran 2: 1991
Variants Kormoran 1
Kormoran 2
Specifications
Weight 600 kg/630 kg
Length 4.40 m
Diameter 344 mm
Warhead 165 kg/220 kg
Engine solid-propellant rocket motor
Operational
range
 23 km/35 km
Speed Mach 0.9
Guidance
system
 INS/active radar
Launch
platform

Aircraft:

The AS.34 Kormoran (cormorant) is a German-produced anti-ship missile. The Kormoran uses an inertial guidance system for the midcourse phase, switching to active radar homing during the terminal attack phase. It carries a 165 kg (363 lb) delay-fused warhead, designed for 90mm of penetration prior to detonation. The maximum range is 23 km (~14 miles).

Kormoran 1 on a German Navy F-104G in 1984.

Development of the Kormoran started in 1962, being taken over by Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (now a part of EADS) in 1967. The missile was originally designed for anti-shipping roles in coastal waters, although it retains a secondary land-attack capability as well. It is currently deployed on the Panavia Tornado. 350 Kormoran 1s were produced.

The AS.34 Kormoran 2 is an improved version of the AS.34 Kormoran 1. Development was started in 1983, with first flight and firing trials taking place in early 1986. The missile features an improved warhead, all-digital electronics, improved active radar seeker, increased ECM-resistance, a stronger booster rocket, a longer range, improved automated target selection, multiple launch capability, and an increased resistance to countermeasures.

A German Tornado IDS launching a Kormoran.

While still using the same basic airframe as Kormoran 1, the Kormoran 2 has a greater range of 35 km (21.7 miles) and a heavier 220 kg (485 lb) warhead.

Testing ended in 1987, and the missile entered service with the German Navy in 1991. Approximately 140 missiles were produced for Germany. The missile is now in service with the German Luftwaffe and Italian Air Force.

Operators

 Germany
 Italy

Specifications

Profile of the AS34 Kormoran 2.

References

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