Riverstone Cormorant
| Riverstone Cormorant | |
|---|---|
| File:RiverstoneCormorant.jpg Riverstone Cormorant missile in flight | |
| Type | Multi-platform launched anti-ship & land-attack Supersonic cruise missile |
| Place of origin | Blackhelm Confederacy |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Riverstone Aeronautics |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 5,500 kg |
| Length | 11m |
| Diameter | 1 m |
| Warhead | 500kg HE + Tungsten AP |
| Engine | 2-stage solid/liquid engine |
Operational range | 1000 km |
| Speed | Mach 3 |
Guidance system | GPS, IR/EO, Active RADAR, datalink |
Launch platform | Ground, Ship |
The Riverstone Cormorant is a supersonic surface-launched and submarine-launched cruise missile built around an advanced, agile and stealth aircraft airframe.
Characteristics
The stealthy Cormorant missile has a range of 1000km and reaches speeds of Mach 3. It is powered by a liquid fueled ramjet motor with a solid fuel rocket booster. The missile is 11 metres in length and weighs around 5,500 kg, with a 500 kg HE and Tungsten AP warhead. Two types of attack profiles are also able to be used by the Cormorant: A high-altitude approach, for engaging land based targets and a sea-skimming low-altitude approach followed by a pop-up maneuver for engaging surface threats like enemy warships. The missiles skimming maneuver followed by a quick pop-up would create a very limited response time for enemy vessels that are targets of the weapon.
The guidance for the system is in three parts. There is an initial GPS feed, with a datalink update to guide the missile en route to it's target. This is replaced by an IR/EO feed in it's terminal stage, with an option of active RADAR guidance in the event of any difficulties during the final steps.
Launch Procedure
Each missile is stored and launched from a pressurized canister that protects it during transportation and storage and acts as a launch tube. For submarine-launched missiles, after being ejected by gas pressure via the VLS or by water impulse via the torpedo tube, the missile exits the water and a solid-fuel booster is ignited.
After achieving flight, the missile's wings are unfolded for lift and the engine is employed for cruise flight. The Cormorant uses GPS or a satellite datalink to follow a preset course for most of its route. Terminal guidance is provided by the IR/EO, active RADAR, and datalink systems installed.
