July 31, 2006 :: Jane's Information Group :: News
Taiwan plans to retire its Tien Kung-1 (Sky Bow-1) surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems and upgrade to the Tien Kung-2 (Sky Bow-2), reports
Jane’s Missile and Rockets in the August 1 issue. The Tien Kung-1 was developed by the Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology during the 1980s, and entered service in 1993. It is a single-stage, medium-range SAM similar to the U.S. Patriot interceptor. The Tien Kung-2 is an improved Tien Kung-1 with an active-radar terminal seeker, rather than the semi-active seeker used by its predecessor. The Tien Kung-2 is reportedly longer and heavier than the Tien Kung-1, with a range of 120 km. It is believed to carry a 90 kg high explosive warhead.
Jane’s also reports that Taiwan has developed a surface-to-surface variant of the Tien King-2 known as the Tien Chi (Sky Halberd). Based on reports from the Chung Shan Institute, the Tien Chi has a range of 300 km and can carry a 500 kg payload.
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