Tien Kung IV, or Sky Bow IV, is a Air defense system currently being designed and trialed by the NCSIST. Development codename is Strong Bow. It is pictured as a Taiwanese version of the American THAAD system. Its canister is 7.61 meters long, longer than the 5.49 meter of the Sky Bow III system currently in service. Its ceiling ceiling and range are also both greater than the ones of Sky Bow and MIM-104 Patriot.
Strong Bow I
In 2023 development work on a new BMD missile, dubbed Strong Bow, with a maximum interception altitude of 70km was completed. While often reported as an extended range variant of the TK-3, the Strong Bow is a distinct missile. Differences from the TK-3 include the fuselage, nosecone, and propulsion system. It also has a domestically produced microwave power amplifier and a Ka band seeker.
The Strong Bow I was made public at the 2023 Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition but was not displayed.
Strong Bow II
A longer ranged variant of the Strong Bow I with an intercept altitude of 100km or more is in development.
See also
- Sky Spear
- Terminal High Altitude Area Defense
- Anti-aircraft warfare
- Comparison of anti-ballistic missile systems
- Anti-ballistic missile
References
