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Penguin (missile)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Penguin | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Basic data | |
| Function | littoral anti-ship missile |
| Manufacturer | Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace |
| Entered service | 1972 |
| General characteristics | |
| Engine | Solid propellant sustainer |
| Launch mass | 385 kg (MK2), 370 kg (MK3) |
| Length | 3.0 m (MK2), 3.2 m (MK3) |
| Diameter | 28 cm |
| Wingspan | 1.4 m (MK2), 1.0 m (MK3) |
| Speed | high subsonic |
| Range | 34+ km (MK2), 55+ km (MK3) |
| Flying altitude | sea skimming |
| Warhead | 120 kg (MK2), 130 kg (MK3) |
| Guidance | pulse-laser, passive IR (MK2), passive IR, radar altimeter (MK3) |
| Fuzes | delay fuse |
| Launch platform | naval ships, helicopters (MK2), fixed-wing aircraft (MK3) |
The Penguin anti-ship missile (U.S. designation AGM-119), made by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA)[1] [2] of Norway from the early 1970s and continually upgraded since, is a passive-IR seeker based short-to-medium range naval cruise missile. It was the first AShM of the western world with an IR seeker (contrary to the commonly used active radar technology).
The Penguin can be fired singly or in coordinated-arrival salvoes. Propelled by a solid rocket engine, it performs random weaving maneuvres at target approach and hits the target close to the waterline. Of the western inventory of such missiles, it is the only variant that performs a terminal bunt and weave manoeuvre. The modified 120 kg warhead detonates inside the target ship by using a delay fuse.
In its various versions, the Penguin can be launched from a number of different weapons platforms:
- Surface vessels: PT boats—its initial application—as well as larger ships
- Fighter aircraft: certified for F-16
- Helicopters (certified for the following aircraft):
KDA's successor to the Penguin will be the Naval Strike Missile (NSM), scheduled to be offered from 2007 onwards. NSM will feature an imaging IR-seeker, GPS navigation, a turbojet sustainer engine (for much longer ranges: 150+ km), and significantly more computer performance and digital signal processing power.
Norway: In service with both the Royal Norwegian Navy (since 1972) and Royal Norwegian Air Force (since 1989)
Turkey: In service with the Turkish Navy (since 1972)
Greece: In service with the Hellenic Navy (since 1980)
Sweden: In service with the Swedish Navy (since 1980)
United States: In service with the United States Navy as the AGM-119 (since 1994)
Australia: Procured for service with the Royal Australian Navy's Super Seasprite helicopters
Spain: In service with the Spanish Navy (since 2003)
South Korea: In service with the Republic of Korea Navy
- ^ Early development of the Penguin was done by the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (NDRE; Norw. FFI) during the 1960s.
- ^ Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA) was formerly a part of Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk (KV) (1814–1986) and Norsk Forsvarsteknologi (NFT) (1987–1994), and is now part of Kongsberg Gruppen (KOG).
- Video of ship-launched Penguin Mk2 missiles being test fired in Norway – By the RNoN 22nd FPB Squadron
- Official Penguin webpage (KDA)
- Missile.index search – Choose* Development-Country: "Norway", then pick "Penguin" from the results list
(* direct linking to subpages is not possible at this website)