Sky Sword II

{{short description| Taiwanese beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile with active radar homing}} {{For|the short-range missile|Sky Sword I}} {{Infobox weapon | name = Sky Sword II | image = File:TC-2_Sky_Sword_II.jpg | image_size = 300 | alt = | caption = TC-II Sky Sword 2 (air-to-air version) | type = Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile | origin = Taiwan | is_ranged = | is_bladed = | is_explosive = | is_artillery = | is_vehicle = yes | is_missile = yes | is_UK =  | service = | used_by = Republic of China Air Force Republic of China Navy Republic of China Army | wars =  | designer = | design_date = 1990s | manufacturer = National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology | unit_cost = | production_date = | number = | variants =  | spec_label = | mass = 184 kg | length = 3.694 m / 4.6 m (TC-2N) | diameter = 19 cm | width = | height = | crew = | passengers =  | filling = | filling_weight = | detonation = | yield =  | armour = | primary_armament = | secondary_armament = | engine = | engine_power = | pw_ratio = | payload_capacity = | drive = | transmission = | suspension = | clearance = | fuel_capacity = | vehicle_range = {{cvt|100|km|mi|abbr=on}} (TC-2C) | speed = Mach 6 (TC-2C) | guidance = Transis guiding phase : Inertial navigation system Terminal homing phase : Active radar homing | steering =  | wingspan = | propellant = | ceiling = | altitude = | boost = | depth = | accuracy = | launch_platform = Air Force: AIDC F-CK-1 Ching-Kuo Navy: Tuo Chiang-class corvette & ''Kang Ding''-class (in future) Army: Transporter erector launchers | transport =  | ref = }}

[[File:ROCAF F-CK-1A 1418 Display at Ching Chuang Kang Air Force Base Apron 20161126a.jpg|thumb|ROCAF F-CK-1A at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base with two TC-1 on the wingtips and two TC-2 underbody]] [[File:空射型天劍二型飛彈.jpg|thumb|ROCAF F-CK-1A underbody have two TC-2]]

The '''Sky Sword II''', '''Tien Chien II''', or '''TC-2''' ({{lang-zh|t=天劍二|p=Tiān Jiàn Èr|w=Tʻien1 Chien4 Êrh4}}) is a Taiwanese beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile. It has an inertial navigation system, a data-link for mid-course guidance and active radar homing for terminal guidance, beyond visual range. It also has ECCM capability and can engage multiple targets.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ncsist.org.tw/eng/csistdup/products/product.aspx?product_Id=88&catalog=29|title=NCSIST|website=www.ncsist.org.tw|access-date=2017-02-12}}</ref> According to Su Tzu-yun, chief executive officer at the Center for Advanced Technology at Tamkang University, they are a cost-effective design which can perform a key role in Taiwan's defense strategy, and substantially offset China's air superiority.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2017/01/16/2003663172/2|title=Redefining Taiwan's air defense - Taipei Times|date=16 January 2017}}</ref> Some details of its design were revealed for the first time at the Paris Air Show in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aipl/201506100021.aspx|title=Weapons institute releases new video to be aired at Paris show - Politics - FOCUS TAIWAN - CNA ENGLISH NEWS}}</ref> The pulse doppler radar seeker reportedly has a detection range of {{cvt|9.3|km|mi|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Active Radar Seeker (AAM MR, Sky Sword II) |url=http://cmano-db.com/sensor/2265/ |website=cmano-db.com |publisher=CMANO |access-date=1 August 2019}}</ref>

==Development== Development of the Sky Sword II family began during the 1990s.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ncsist.org.tw/eng/csistdup/products/product.aspx?product_Id=87&catalog=29|title=NCSIST|website=www.ncsist.org.tw|access-date=2017-02-12}}</ref><ref name=":02"/>

==Service history== In 2017 a Sky Sword II launched by a F-CK-1 during a training exercise failed to ignite and fell into the sea.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Claudia Liu |first1=Elaine Hou and |title=Air Force reports another missile glitch |url=http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aipl/201706230014.aspx |website=focustaiwan.tw |publisher=Focus Taiwan |access-date=21 July 2019}}</ref> In 2019 TC-2 was among 117 missiles fired during a training exercise off Taiwan's west coast.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Everington |first1=Keoni |title=Taiwan fires over 100 missiles during China war drills |url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3755607 |website=www.taiwannews.com.tw |date=31 July 2019 |publisher=Taiwan News |access-date=1 August 2019}}</ref>

==Variants==

===TC-2N=== A ship-launched, surface-to-air version was later developed and designated TC-2N. Its development began in 1994, and a ground-based test was first carried out against a low-flying drone in 1997. This development was revealed to the public in 2005 and the intention to make it compatible with vertical launch methods was announced in 2006. The first ship-based launch took place in mid-2014.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ncsist.org.tw/eng/csistdup/products/product.aspx?product_Id=290&catalog=41|title=NCSIST|website=www.ncsist.org.tw|access-date=2017-02-12}}</ref> In the naval role the TC-2N fills an air defense gap between the Phalanx CIWS and SM-2 systems<ref>{{cite web |title=Tien Chien-2N (TC-2N) |url=https://missiledefenseadvocacy.org/air-defense/air-defense-of-u-s-partners/allied-air-defense-systems/tien-chien-2n-tc-2n/ |website=missiledefenseadvocacy.org |publisher=Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance |access-date=24 July 2019}}</ref> with a range of {{cvt|30|km|mi|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Surface-to-Air TC-2 Mid-range Air-defense Missile |url=http://www.ncsist.org.tw/eng/csistdup/products/product.aspx?product_id=290&catalog=41|website=www.ncsist.org.tw/eng/csistdup/main/Default.aspx |publisher=National Chung-Shan Institute of Science & Technology |access-date=2019-10-22}}</ref>

The missile has all-weather capability, is equipped with a thrust-vectoring booster to increase its range as well as maneuverability during launch phase (although early ship-based launch trials were carried out without this feature), and can engage anti-ship missiles and aircraft. It also has folding control surfaces to be quad-packed into either above-deck oblique launchers or in-deck vertical launch systems.<ref name=":1" />

By May 2021 the TC-2N had passed its live fire trials and operational evaluations. Final evaluation was conducted aboard the Tuo Chiang-class corvette ''Ta Chiang''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chen |first1=Kelvin |title=Taiwan Navy to deploy new air defense missile system in August |url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4211363 |website=www.taiwannews.com.tw |date=27 May 2021 |publisher=Taiwan News |access-date=28 May 2021}}</ref>

The Tuo Chiang-class corvettes are equipped to carry up to 16 TC-2Ns.<ref name="Defense News" >{{cite web |last1=Yeo |first1=Mike |title=Taiwan launches new amphibious vessel with anti-ship missiles |url=https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2021/04/13/taiwan-launches-new-amphibious-vessel-with-anti-ship-missiles/ |website=www.defensenews.com |date=13 April 2021 |publisher=Defense News |access-date=14 April 2021}}</ref>

Yushan-class landing platform dock are equipped to carry up to 32 TC-2Ns.

=== TC-2A === TC-2A is an anti-radiation missile, similar to the AGM-88 HARM. The TC-2A program began soon after the completion of the TC-2. It fills the requirement of the ROCAF for an Anti-Radiation Missile to arm the F-CK-1.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hsu |first1=Brian |title=Report says military developing new missile |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/local/archives/2000/09/08/0000052446 |website=taipeitimes.com |date=8 September 2000 |publisher=Taipei Times |access-date=1 April 2019}}</ref> It is reported to be {{cvt|3.6|m|ftin|abbr=on}} long, {{cvt|19|cm|in|abbr=on}} in diameter, weighs {{cvt|184|kg|lb|abbr=on}} (warhead weighs {{cvt|22|kg|lb|abbr=on}}), and with a range of {{cvt|100|km|mi|abbr=on}}. The passive radar seeker on the TC-2A has been reported as having a detection range of {{cvt|92|km|mi|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Passive Radar Seeker (Sky Sword IIA) |url=http://cmano-db.com/sensor/5291/ |website=cmano-db.com |publisher=CMANO |access-date=1 August 2019}}</ref>

=== TC-2C === TC-2C is an advanced air-to-air version first tested in 2017 and intended to replace the standard TC-2. It features a number of incremental improvements including an improved rocket motor which allows an engagement range of {{cvt|100|km|mi|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lo Tien-pin and |first1=Jonathan Chin |title=Extended-range missiles ready for use |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2017/12/25/2003684599 |website=www.taipeitimes.com |date=25 December 2017 |publisher=Taipei Times |access-date=1 April 2019}}</ref>

In 2021 it was announced that an extended range version of the TC-2 had been ordered by the Air Force with 250-300 ordered from NCSIST at a unit cost of NT$30 million (US$1.07 million).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Yu |first1=Matt |last2=Yeh |first2=Joseph |title=Taiwan to soon mass produce extended-range air-to-air missiles: source |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202108040022 |website=focustaiwan.tw |publisher=Focus Taiwan |access-date=4 August 2021}}</ref>

=== Land Sword 2 === The land based version of the TC-2N, called the land sword two (陸劍二, pinyin: lù jiàn èr) features the missile packaged in a sealed container-launcher.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} NCSIST has exhibited a truck mounted version with four missile pods.<ref>{{cite web |title=Land-Based Air Defense Missile System |url=http://www.ncsist.org.tw/eng/csistdup/products/product.aspx?product_Id=530&catalog=51 |website=ncsist.org.tw |publisher=NCSIST |access-date=2 April 2019}}</ref> The TC-2 air-defense system was exhibited at International Defence Exhibition in Abu Dhabi with a reported canister length of {{Convert|4|m|ft|abbr=on}} and an all up weight (combined canister and round) of {{cvt|350|kg|lb|abbr=on}}. It reportedly retains the midcourse inertial guidance with data link and terminal active radar guidance schemes, as well as an electronic counter-countermeasure (ECCM) capability. Because it lacks the naval version's booster, however, its effective range is reportedly only {{cvt|15|km|mi|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=IDEX 2019: Land-based TC-2 air defense missile system by NCSIST |url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/idex_2019_news_official_online_show_daily_partner/idex_2019_land-based_tc-2_air_defense_missile_system_by_ncsist.html |website=armyrecognition.com |publisher=Army Recognition |access-date=15 June 2019}}</ref>

Six batteries with 246 missiles were ordered in 2019.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zhezheng |first1=Hong |title=Army purchases Chinese Academy of Sciences Sword II land-fired air defense missile vehicle |url=https://udn.com/news/story/10930/4213147?from=udn-referralnews_ch2artbottom |website=udn.com |access-date=19 January 2020}}</ref>

A TC-2 battery participated in the 2021 Double Ten Day parade.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chun-hui |first1=Yang |last2=Madjar |first2=Kayleigh |title=National Day: Double Ten Day celebrated with performances |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2021/10/11/2003765903 |website=taipeitimes.com |date=11 October 2021 |publisher=Taipei Times |access-date=18 November 2022}}</ref> In 2024 a TC-2 battery participated in a live fire exercise in Pingtung, firing four missiles.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Yu-jing |first1=Huang |last2=Su-wei |first2=Wu |last3=Lin |first3=Sean |title=Mobile air defense system makes successful debut at Pingtung drill: Source |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/sci-tech/202404160023 |website=focustaiwan.tw |access-date=17 April 2024}}</ref>

The ground launched TC-2 is also referred to as the Tien Chien III (TC-3).<ref name="Taipei Times New Missiles" >{{cite web |last1=Tien-pin |first1=Lo |last2=Chin |first2=Jonathan |title=Air force developing new jet missiles |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2023/08/13/2003804653 |website=Taipei Times |publisher=taipeitimes.com |access-date=15 August 2023}}</ref>

===TC-3/TC-5=== The Tien Chien 3 is an improved air-to-air missile under development from the TC-2. Range of 160 kilometers (99 miles).<ref>{{Cite web |last=自由時報電子報 |date=2023-12-09 |title=「天劍三型」飛彈傳爭取明年起量產射程丶速度超越現役空射劍二 - 自由軍武頻道 |url=https://def.ltn.com.tw/article/breakingnews/4515575 |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=def.ltn.com.tw |language=en}}</ref> This offers similar range to the AIM-120C-8. This missile is also referred to as the TC-5. It is distinct from the ground launched TC-2.<ref name="Taipei Times New Missiles" />

=== Gallery === <gallery mode=packed> File:F-CK-1A戰機攜掛天劍二型飛彈.jpg|F-CK-1 with TC-1 and TC-2 missiles File:TC-2N missile fired from ROCS Ta Chiang.png|A ship-launched TC-2N File:海劍二型飛彈.jpg|A ship-launched, Surface-to-air TC-2N model File:艦射型海劍二型飛彈.jpg|A ship-launched, Surface-to-air TC-2N model File:09.30 總統主持「玉山軍艦交艦典禮」 - 52394534985.jpg|TC-2N aboard ROCS Yushan (LPD-1401) File:陸射型天劍二型飛彈.jpg|Surface-to-Air TC-2 model and CS/MPQ-90 Bee Eye radar File:陸射劍二防空飛彈實彈射擊 3.jpg|Land Sword 2 launch at Jiupeng Military Base File:陸射劍二防空飛彈實彈射擊.jpg|Land Sword 2 launch File:陸射劍二防空飛彈實彈射擊 2.jpg|Land Sword 2 launch </gallery>

===Similar weapons=== * PL-12 * AAM-4 * Astra * R-77 * AIM-120 (and NASAMS) * RIM-162 ESSM * AGM-88 HARM * Meteor

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == {{commons category}} * [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/taiwan/sky-sword-2.htm TC-2 info on Global Security] * TC-2N test video:[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7ruPDmzqio]

{{Military of the Republic of China}} {{Republic of China Air Force}} {{National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) aircraft}}

Category:Anti-radiation missiles Category:Air-to-air missiles of the Republic of China Category:Surface-to-air missiles of the Republic of China Category:Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles Category:20th-century surface-to-air missiles Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1990s Category:NCSIST missiles