Should it be introduced into service, the air-launched Hsiung Feng 3 could boost Taiwan’s anti-ship missile capacity and kill zones.
The F-CK-1 with a pair of HF-3 test articles was seen conducting a ground taxi test on 21 February at Ching Chuang Kang Air Base, followed by captive carry test flights on 7 and 12 March. Notable differences between the air-launched HF-3 and its land- and sea-launched variants include the removal of the two solid-rocket boosters –commonly used in larger surface-launched missiles to achieve the necessary velocities – along with a more streamlined form factor.
The HF-3 is deployed on various Republic of China Navy (ROCN) vessels, as well as its Hai Feng (Sea Blade) Group, which operates the land-based anti-ship missile systems.
The missile is reported to be able to achieve speeds of up to Mach 3.5 and a range of about 150km. A recently developed longer-range version is said to extend that range to 400 km. A HF-3 launched from a fast-moving fighter could offer a greater reach compared to its land- and sea-launched variants.