Kongsberg teams up with Diehl Defence and MBDA for Super Sonic Strike Missile 3SM Tyrfing.

According to a PR published by Kongsberg on May 13, 2024, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, along with its partners Diehl Defence and MBDA Deutschland, have announced a collaborative agreement to spearhead the development of the Super Sonic Strike Missile, known as 3SM Tyrfing.
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Artist rendering of the future Super Sonic Strike Missile, 3SM Tyrfing. (Picture source: Kongsberg)

This strategic alliance aims to leverage the extensive missile development expertise of the three firms to deliver a state-of-the-art, long-range, maneuverable super-sonic strike missile. The 3SM Tyrfing is designed to meet the evolving surface threat landscape facing Norway, Germany, and their allies.

Supersonic cruise missile

Supersonic cruise missiles represent a significant advancement in missile technology, achieving speeds between Mach 2 and Mach 3. These missiles are designed for high-speed, precise strikes, utilizing advanced aerodynamic designs and sophisticated propulsion systems to evade interception and successfully engage targets.

The propulsion system of a supersonic cruise missile typically includes a two-stage configuration. For instance, the BrahMos missile employs a solid propellant booster in the first stage to reach supersonic speeds, followed by a liquid ramjet engine in the second stage to sustain its high-speed cruise flight. This dual-stage propulsion allows the missile to maintain speeds of up to Mach 3, making it one of the fastest cruise missiles in the world​​.

Guidance and navigation systems in these missiles are highly advanced, incorporating inertial navigation systems (INS) and satellite navigation (GPS or GLONASS) to ensure high accuracy. The BrahMos missile, in particular, features a terminal guidance system equipped with an active radar homing seeker, which ensures precision targeting during the final phase of flight. This combination of guidance technologies allows for highly accurate target acquisition and engagement​​.

The payload of supersonic cruise missiles can vary, including conventional high-explosive warheads, submunitions, or even nuclear payloads, depending on the mission requirements.