The indigenously designed Teng Yun 2 drone crossed development milestones over the weekend, flying more than 10 hours straight and circling Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
Developed by the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology, Teng Yun 2, or “Cloud Rider” (騰雲二型), after a three-hour test flight last month, recorded its longest flight over the weekend. The entire flight time was 10 hours and 16 minutes, breaking the duration record for an indigenous drone.
The institute said Teng Yun 2 No. 1812 took off from Chiashan Air Base in Hualien County at 6:46 p.m. on Saturday and took off on a counterclockwise route on the edge of ADIZ, circling Taiwan.
Defense International Magazine editor Chen Kuo-ming (陳國銘) praised the test results, but expressed concern over the long procurement time for the drone’s engine, which is manufactured by the US.
Chen said the military should look for backup suppliers in the EU to prevent a potential production bottleneck. He said the issue may have been discussed at the Monterey talks, which focused on Taiwan’s asymmetric warfare capabilities.
President Tsai Ing-wen in front of Teng Yun 2 – CNA
Meanwhile, Taiwan is expected to accept delivery of the US-made MQ-9 Reaper drone later this year that the US had agreed to sell in 2020. The head of the National Defense Ministry’s Strategic Planning Department, Lee Shih-chiang (李世強), said during a question-and-answer session in the legislature in March last year that the Reaper would fit in well with the military’s needs.
The Reaper is a high altitude drone, while the Teng Yun 2 is a low to medium altitude drone, he said
Top Photo: Teng Yun 2 on display – CNA
Source: Nation World News;