Skip to content
Site Tools
Narrow screen resolution Wide screen resolution Auto adjust screen size Increase font size Decrease font size Default font size
You are here: Home arrow Knowledge Base arrow Aircraft arrow Exercise GOOD HOPE II, February – March 2006, TFDC
Exercise GOOD HOPE II, February – March 2006, TFDC E-mail
Written by Anton Dyason - IPMS SA Media Group   
Thursday, 04 May 2006
Page 4 of 12

 
Image
The target.
 
Image
A Tornado from AG 51 firing a Kormoran I missile.
 
Another very interesting exercise is the live firing of the Kormoran missile against the actual German frigate to test its self protection systems of surface to air missiles and close-inn weapons. Not too worry the exercise is very safe as the software is tricked to believe the missile is fired within range of the target. The Tornado launches the Kormoran at a greater distance than the maximum range of the missile against the frigate. Upon the launch the Tornado breaks off the attack and move out of the area at breath taking speed. As the Kormoran nears the frigate, which does not take long as the missile travels close to Mach 1, the self protection systems of the vessel engage as the incoming missile is identified as a threat. The frigate can either launch a SeaSparrow missile or use close-inn weapons to destroy the Kormoran. What happens if the frigate’s defences fail? As the missile was launched at a greater range to the frigate than the maximum range of the Kormoran, it simply burns off all fuel and falls harmlessly into the sea – earning the name of “Shark Shooter” in the process. Surprisingly the missile does not sink immediately but is despatched off with small arms fire in a follow-up operation.
 

 The anti-ship missile Kormoran:

 
Image
Komoran I anti-ship missile.

Four Kormoran missiles may be carried by the German Tornados which is capable of launching the missile at low altitude without the need to pitch up to altitude for launch. The missile weighs 220kg with a length of 4.5m equipped with an active radar seeking head. Range is 30kms with a maximum speed of Mach 0.9.

It is a true “Fire and Forget” missile which means after launch the missile drops to very low altitude under the radar horizon and with it’s own radar seeker steers itself independently towards the target. The Kormorans used in Good Hope II are very close to their storage expiry date and is due for replacement by the Kormoran II. 

 
Image
Tornado IDS with Kormoran I anti-ship missile.

Other exercises with the SANDF included deck landings by an Oryx Mk2 no 1238 from 22 Sqdn SAAF on the frigate Hamburg. This Oryx is used for operations in Antarctica and therefore finished in a very bright red and white colour scheme. Successful recovery, stowage during the voyage and subsequent launching of the Oryx was performed by the Hamburg despite difficult weather at times. This aircraft was also used to ferry personnel between TFDC and the various vessels during anti-ship missile exercises. Oryx also assisted divers from the Marine with their exercises. For more info on the Oryx Mk1 & Mk2 see the Oryx Knowledge Base article.  

<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next > End >>
Last Updated ( Sunday, 13 January 2008 )
 
< Prev   Next >
[ Back ]

Ads By Google

Latest Events

August
School of Artillery open day and shoot
August 23, 2008 (08:00)
(General)

Bethlehem Airshow
August 23, 2008 (08:00)
(AirShow)

Gold Reef Scale Modellers
August 30, 2008 (13:00)
(Club Meeting)
September
Vereenging Airshow
September 6, 2008 (08:00)
(AirShow)

AAD 2008
September 17 (08:00) - September 21, 2008
(AirShow)

View Full Calendar