TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Sea Oryx missile system, which is being developed domestically to enhance close-in defense for Navy vessels, will undergo additional testing soon.
The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology-developed Sea Oryx missile system failed an evaluation retest in December. If the system passes the test the Navy is expected to proceed with procurement and deployment, per Liberty Times.
A senior military official explained Thursday that after reviewing the reasons behind the failure, NCSIST had strong confidence in the upcoming retest.
The Sea Oryx missile system was developed under the codename "Project Sword Shadow." Unlike the ship-launched Sky Sword II missile, which has progressed smoothly, the Sea Oryx system is more complex as it serves as the last line of defense against aerial threats for naval vessels.
It must be capable of intercepting incoming enemy missiles while overcoming sea surface clutter and interference, making its development particularly complex.
The Sea Oryx system has a combat range of 15 kilometers and employs both proximity and contact fuzes for detonation. To enhance lethality, its warhead is reportedly equipped with high-energy CL-20 explosives.
According to military sources, the Sea Oryx system has three variants:
- Standalone variant for small combat vessels
- Combat system-integrated variant for medium to large warships
- Land-based mobile variant.
The standalone variant features a 12-cell launcher with a small active phased array radar and an electro-optical sensor developed by NCSIST. The combat system-integrated version consists of a 24-cell launcher without an onboard radar or optical system, instead relying entirely on the ship's combat system for target data and fire control.
The land-based mobile version also uses a 24-cell launcher and is equipped with mobile radar.
Animated NCSIST video shows future uses of Sea Oryx system:
