KEPD 350

TAURUS KEPD 350 is a German/Swedish air-launched cruise missile, manufactured by TAURUS Systems and used by Germany and Spain. TAURUS Systems GmbH is a partnership between LFK (EADS/MBDA) and Saab Bofors Dynamics.

Overview
The missile incorporates stealth characteristics and has an official range in excess of 500 km. Taurus is powered by a turbofan engine at Mach 0.8~0.9 and can be carried by the Tornado, Eurofighter Typhoon, Gripen and F/A-18 aircraft.

The double 500 kg warhead called Mephisto (Multi-Effect Penetrator, HIgh Sophisticated and Target Optimised) features a precharge and initial penetrating charge to clear soil or enter a bunker, then a variable delay fuze to control detonation of the main warhead. The missile weighs about 1400 kg and has a maximum body diameter of 1 m. Intended targets are hardened bunkers, command, control and communications; airfield facilities; port facilities; AMS/ammunition storage; ships in ports/at sea and bridges.

The missile also includes counter measures as a self-defence mechanism. Mission planners program the missile with the target, air defence locations and planned ground path, then the missile uses a low terrain-hugging flight path guided by INS, IBN, TRN and GPS to the proximity of the target, although it is capable of navigating over long distances without GPS support. Once there the missile commences a bunt (climb) manoeuver to an altitude intended to achieve the best probability of target acquisition and penetration. During the cruise flight a high resolution infra-red camera can support the navigation by using IBN and is also used for GPS-free target attack. The missile attempts to match a camera image with the planned 3D target model. If it cannot, it defaults to the other navigation systems, or, if there is a high risk of collateral damage, it will steer to a pre-designated crash point instead of risking an inaccurate attack with undesired consequences.

TAURUS Systems GmbH has also proposed an anti-ship variant.

Export
Spain's military bought 43 missiles. The integration of the TAURUS in the Spanish Air Force service line has been certified by the successful completion of a dedicated test campaign in South Africa, carried out in May 2009.

South Korea is planning to order 200 missiles to integrate with their F-15K Slam Eagles after being refused Lockheed Martin's AGM-158 JASSM by Washington. The Korean National Assembly has advised the government to re-evaluate plans to buy the TAURUS citing high costs.

TAURUS Systems GmbH has offered Taurus KEPD 350 to the Indian Air Force for its Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets.

Operators

 * Germany: 600 ordered for the Luftwaffe for €570 million Deliveries ended on December 2010.
 * 🇪🇸: 43 ordered for the Spanish Air Force. Deliveries ended in August 2010. The programme cost €60m.
 * : 200 reportedly ordered for the South Korean Air Force.