AS34 Kormoran

The AS34 Kormoran is a German-produced Anti-ship missile. The Kormoran (cormorant) uses an inertial guidance system for the midcourse phase, switching to active radar homing during the terminal attack phase. It carries a 165 kg (363 lb) delay-fused warhead, designed for 90mm of penetration prior to detonation. The maximum range is 23 km (~14 miles).

Development of the Kormoran started in 1962, being taken over by Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm (now a part of EADS) in 1967. The missile was originally designed for anti-shipping roles in coastal waters, although it retains a secondary land-attack capability as well. It is currently deployed on the Panavia Tornado. 350 Kormoran 1s were produced.

The AS34 Kormoran 2 is an improved version of the AS.34 Kormoran 1. Development was started in 1983, with first flight and firing trials taking place in early 1986. The missile features an improved warhead, all-digital electronics, improved active radar seeker, increased ECM-resistance, a stronger booster rocket, a longer range, improved automated target selection, multiple launch capability, and an increased resistance to countermeasures.

While still using the same basic airframe as Kormoran 1, the Kormoran 2 has a greater range of 35km (21.7 miles) and a heavier 220 kg (485 lb) warhead.

Testing ended in 1987, and the missile entered service with the German Navy in 1991. Approximately 140 missiles were produced for Germany. The missile is now in service with the German Luftwaffe and Italian Air Force.

AS.34 Kormoran
Type	Medium-range, active radar homing air-to-surface missile
Place of origin	Germany
Service history
Used by	Germany, Italy
Production history
Manufacturer	EADS
Produced	Kormoran 1: 1973 Kormoran 2: 1991
Variants	Kormoran 1 Kormoran 2
Specifications
Weight	600 kg/630 kg
Length	4.40 m
Diameter	344 mm
Warhead	165 kg/220 kg
Engine	solid-propellant rocket motor
Operational range	23 km/35 km
Speed	Mach 0.9
Guidance system	INS/active radar
Launch platform	Aircraft: F-104G Starfighter Tornado IDS