Yun Feng

The Yun Feng ("Cloud Peak") is a supersonic land attack cruise missile of Republic of China.[1][2]

Yun Feng
TypeMissile
Place of origin Taiwan
Service history
In serviceDeployed
Production history
DesignerNational Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology
No. built50 (under production)
Specifications
PropellantLiquid fuel ramjet main engine and solid fuel rocker booster
Operational
range
2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi)
Maximum speed 1,030 m/s
Launch
platform
Transporter erector launcher
Transport10x10 truck

Design and development

The missile was developed by the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology and has a range of about 1200-2000 kilometers. It has a ramjet engine with a solid rocket booster capable of a speed of 1,030 m/s. It can carry a semi-armor piercing high explosive and fragmentation warhead. The missile is one of the few assets within Taiwan's arsenal which can reach targets in north and central People's Republic of China.[1][3] Development may have been started as far back as the Lee Teng-hui administration but official reports of its existence did not surface until 2012.[4] Test flights of the Yun Feng were concealed within the HF-3 supersonic anti-ship missile test flight program.[3]

In 2016, Ministry of National Defense (MND) denied reports that the missile program was terminated.[5][6] This speculation was based on a belief that the project would be cancelled as a goodwill gesture towards China.[4]

Variants

In 2018 it was announced that NTD 12.4 billion (~ USD 390 million) had been allocated by the Ministry of Defense under the "Qilin Project” to both extend the range of the missile as well as to adapt it for satellite launch.[4]

Enhanced Yun Feng

In August 2019 mass production of the enhanced Yun Feng cruise missile commenced with an initial order for 20 missiles and 10 mobile launch vehicles. The enhanced variant has been described as a high altitude ramjet powered cruise missile.[7]

Satellite launch vehicle

The missile is being upgraded to function as a satellite launch vehicle by National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology. This vehicle will be capable of delivering satellites between 50 and 200 kilograms at a low earth orbit of around 500 kilometers.[8][9] It is suspected that the upgrade program will extend the range of the missile to 2000 km, which puts Beijing within its striking range.[3]

See also

References
  1. "Taiwan to aim missiles at China". NewsComAu. Retrieved 2017-03-12.
  2. migration (2013-03-18). "Taiwan to aim 50 medium-range missiles at China: Report". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2017-03-16.
  3. "Yun Feng | Missile Threat". Missile Threat. Retrieved 2018-01-16.
  4. Everington, Keoni. "Taiwan's upgraded 'Cloud Peak' missiles could reach Beijing". www.taiwannews.com.tw. Taiwan News. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
  5. "Ministry talking to Google about island 'secret' leaks - Taipei Times". www.taipeitimes.com. Retrieved 2017-03-16.
  6. Cole, J. Michael (2016-09-21). "To Terminate or Not? Taiwan's 'Cloud Peak' Medium-Range Missile Program - The News Lens International Edition". The News Lens International Edition. Retrieved 2017-03-16.
  7. DeAeth, Duncan. "Taiwan begins production of Cloud Peak missiles and mobile launch platforms". www.taiwannews.com.tw. Taiwan News. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  8. http://www.defenseworld.net/news/21837/Taiwan_To_Upgrade____Cloud_Peak____Medium_range_Missiles_For_Micro_Satellites_Launch
  9. https://www.ettoday.net/news/20180626/1198086.htm
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