Sweden logs first Taurus cruise missile launch from Gripen fighter

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The long-range weapon is designed to penetrate dense air defences by flying low and following terrain.

The Swedish air force has successfully test-fired the Taurus KEPD 350 long-range cruise missile from a Saab Gripen fighter for the first time.

The service confirmed the launch on 21 August, noting it took place at the Vidsel Test Range in Norrbotten with one of Sweden’s JAS 39s, the local designation for the Gripen family.

“Taurus is a long-range cruise missile that introduces a new deep-strike capability,” the Swedish air force says.

Video of the Taurus launch indicates the specific jet used was a speciality test-configured Gripen-C, registration number 39-6.

In July, Swedish air force commander Major General Jonas Wikman told FlightGlobal his service was working toward integrating the Taurus cruise missile into the Gripen fleet.

“Adding offensive capabilities is a really important priority for us. We have pushed that introduction left by more than one year, which means it will be present soon,” Wikman said.

The missile itself is produced by Taurus Systems, a joint venture between Swedish defence manufacturer Saab and European munitions supplier MBDA.

The Taurus offers a long-range precision strike capability with a range beyond 270nm (500km), according to its manufacturer. It uses a unique tandem 480kg (1,058lb) warhead configuration called MEPHISTO (Multi-Effect Penetrator Highly Sophisticated and Target Optimised) that allows each weapon to penetrate hardened or buried structures.

An onboard low-level terrain-following navigation system allows the Taurus to fly below air defence coverage.

In addition to Swedish Gripens, the Taurus missile is also certified for use with Germany’s Panavia Tornado fighters, Spain’s Boeing F/A-18 Hornets and South Korea’s Boeing F-15K Slam Eagles.

The post Sweden logs first Taurus cruise missile launch from Gripen fighter first appeared on FlightGlobal.

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