Initial prototype versions of the missile used the design of an integrated rocket ramjet to achieve supersonic speeds. It uses a solid fuel main booster with two side-by-side solid-propellant jettisonable strap-on rocket boosters for initial acceleration and a liquid-fueled ramjet for sustained cruise. It also employs electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM) capabilities allowing it to penetrate an enemy ship's defenses.[7]
The missile is cylindrical in shape and composed of three sections, namely guidance and control, warhead, and propulsion. The body has four inlet ducts and four clipped delta control surfaces. It used the inertial navigation system (INS) during mid-course navigation phase and active radar seeker at terminal guidance phase. The air intake design arrangement was reported to have been optimized for evasive maneuvering at terminal sea-skimming altitudes. The missile is designed to be capable of way-pointing and can be programmed to fly offset attack axes to saturate defenses. It is also capable of high-G lateral terminal "random weaving" maneuvers to evade close-in defenses.[2][7]
It also features an armor-piercing warhead which generates tremendous destruction after hitting the target. The warhead is equipped with self-forging fragments and in the 225 kg (500 lb) weight class. It has a conventional warhead that is triggered by a smart fuze which directs most of the energy downwards, inside the target ship's hull.[2][7][9][10]
The missile is believed to have an operating range of 400 km (250 mi; 220 nmi)[9] with a possible maximum range of over 1,500 km (930 mi; 810 nmi) and a minimum range of 30 km (19 mi; 16 nmi).[2][11] It can be deployed on ships and mobile trailers. The instructions for missile launch can be issued by a command and control system for different platforms and different paths leading to saturation of a ship's defense system.[7]
History
Development
CSIST started a ramjet test vehicle program in 1994, and this project was later merged with the Hsiung Feng program. Flight testing of a prototype started in 1997. Operational testing and evaluation was started in 2004 and was completed by 2005, on board ROCS Cheng Kung.[2][7] The development and flight test program for the Yun Feng supersonic cruise missile was hidden within the HF-3's flight test program.[12]
The missile was officially revealed on October 10, 2007, at a military parade in Taipei, Taiwan.[14][15] It has now been deployed aboard the ROC Navy's La Fayette/Kang Ding-class frigate, Cheng Kung-class frigate, Jin Chiang-class patrol gunboats, and on road mobile tractor trailers.[7] In 2019, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen ordered the NCSIST to accelerate mass production of the HF-3 in response to increasing Chinese military power and bellicosity.[16]
On July 1, 2016, Chinchiang (PGG-610) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Navy accidentally fired a Hsiung Feng III missile during a training exercise. The missile traveled a distance of about 75 km (47 mi) before it hit a fishing boat[17][18] The captain of the boat was killed and three crew members were injured. The Taiwan Ministry of National Defense stated that the warship's commander, senior arms officer and missile launch control sergeant had all failed to follow standard operating procedure.[19]
Variants
Air launched
The development of an air-launched variant of the HF-3, dubbed the Hsiung Chih, was disclosed in 2022. The air launched variant in expected to be significantly lighter and to use the F-CK-1 as a launch platform.[20]
Security concerns
In late 2021 and early 2022, the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) discovered equipment used in the development and testing of the Hsiung Feng III and other missiles used by Taiwan relied on mainland Chinese facilities for repair and maintenance, raising security concerns. NCSIST had shipped the instrument to its manufacturer in Switzerland and was not informed that the equipment would be sent to China. NCSIST performed check after receiving the equipment from China, which did not discover any malware or modifications.[21]
Popular culture
The plot of the thriller Ballistic by Don Pendleton centers on the theft of two HF-3 missiles by international terrorists and their recovery by a team of elite agents.[22]
Gallery
Hsiung Feng III anti-ship missile launched from a missile launchers truck
Two vessels of the Ching Chiang class at Keelung, Taiwan. The vessel on the left is armed with Hsiung Feng III
Hsiung Feng II and Hsiung Feng III anti-ship missile launchers on the upper deck of ROCN Pan Chao
Hsiung Feng III anti-ship missile launchers at 110th National Day
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