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TAURUS on Target

The Taurus passed its practice test. The operational test of the TAURUS, which took place in Arniston, South Africa, was successful. The cruise missile hit its target perfectly.

"A perfect result, in particular the last shot — it doesn't get any better than that," Lieutenant General Walter Jertz, Commander of the Air Force Command and Control said with delight. "Now we have to see to it that we introduce the system within the Air Force. This will still require some effort — but we are prepared."
Contrary to its name, TAURUS does not have anything to do with the star constellation, rather it stands for "Target Adaptive Unitary and Dispenser Robotic Ubiquity System," or, in layman's terms, a modular air-to-surface guided missile.

The standoff weapon can fight stationary point and surface targets at great distances. It has a range of roughly 350 km, which it covers in just under the speed of sound. TAURUS is planned as an air-to-surface weapon on the Tornado fighter bomber and the Eurofighter.

November 21, 2005

Government & Politics