Q. What is the name given to the Taurus KEPD 350, a long-range air-to-surface cruise missile developed by Sweden and Germany?
Answer:
Bunker Buster
Notes: Pressure is growing on German Chancellor to approve supplying Ukraine the Taurus KEPD 350 "bunker buster" missile to bolster Kyiv's military capabilities. The precision-guided Taurus cruise missile can penetrate dense air defenses and destroy hardened targets like bridges, ships, runways, command centers, and bunkers. Already used by German and Spanish Air Forces, the modular missile features low observability and all-weather capability for day/night strikes. Weighing 1,400kg with 16.7ft length, it has a 481kg dual-stage MEPHISTO warhead for superior target penetration. Powered by a turbofan engine, Taurus missiles cruise at Mach 0.6-0.95 speeds at very low altitudes, with a 500km range that could be a game-changer for Ukraine. Germany faces growing calls to unlock its supply to aid Kyiv's defense against Russia.