Penguin (missile)

Infobox Weapon
is_missile=yes
name=Penguin


caption=
origin=
type=littoral anti-ship missile
used_by=
manufacturer=Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace
unit_cost=
propellant=
production_date=
service=1972
engine=Solid propellant sustainer
engine_power=
weight=385 kg (MK2), 370 kg (MK3)
length=3.0 m (MK2), 3.2 m (MK3)
height=
diameter=28 cm
wingspan=1.4 m (MK2), 1.0 m (MK3)
speed=high subsonic
vehicle_range=34+ km (MK2), 55+ km (MK3)
ceiling=
altitude=sea skimming
filling=120 kg (MK2), 130 kg (MK3)
guidance=pulse-laser, passive IR (MK2), passive IR, radar altimeter (MK3)
detonation=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) [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").] 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: Missile boats;its initial application—as well as larger ships
* Fighter aircraft: certified for F-16
* Helicopters (certified for the following aircraft):
**Bell 412 SP
**Kaman SH-2 Seasprite
**Sikorsky S-70 series (SH-60 Seahawk, UH-60 Black Hawk)
**Westland Super Lynx

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.

[http://newsite.ipmssa.za.org/images/stories/kb/aircraft/f1/f1az_48_open.jpgSouth African Air Force Mirage F1AZ armed with Penguin Missiles]

Operators

; NOR: In service with both the Royal Norwegian Navy (since 1972) and Royal Norwegian Air Force (since 1989); TUR: In service with the Turkish Navy (since 1972); GRE: In service with the Hellenic Navy (since 1980); SWE: In service with the Swedish Navy (since 1980); USA: In service with the United States Navy as the AGM-119 (since 1994); AUS: Procured for service with the Royal Australian Navy's Super Seasprite helicopters; ESP: In service with the Spanish Navy (since 2003); KOR: In service with the Republic of Korea Navy; RSA: In service with the South African Air Force

Notes

External links

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mw9f3SQbLJQ Video of ship-launched Penguin Mk2 missiles being test fired in Norway] – By the RNoN 22nd FPB Squadron

* [http://www.kongsberg.com/eng/kda/products/Missiles/ Official Penguin webpage (KDA)]
* [http://missile.index.ne.jp/cgi/misearch.cgi?act=cond&lang=en Missile.index search] – Choose* Development-Country: "Norway", then pick "Penguin" from the results list
(* direct linking to subpages is not possible at this website)