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The TC-2 Sky Sword II (天劍二, Tien Chien II) is a medium-range, radar guided air-to-air missile developed by the National Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) in Taiwan during the 1990s for the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF). The TC-2 is intended as the mid-range supplement of the IR guided Sky Sword I (TC-1).
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Design
The missile features 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. 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. Some details of its design were revealed for the first time at the Paris Air Show in 2015.
TC-2N
A ship-based mid-ranged, surface to air version was later developed and designated TC-2N. It began development in 1994 and was first tested against a low-flying drone in 1997. The missile entered production in 2005 and a VLS version was later developed in 2006. The first ship-based launch was tested in mid 2014.
The missile is capable in all weathers, can engage anti-ship missiles and aircraft, and has thrust-vector engine fitted with a booster.