Taiwan has unveiled its newly built helicopter-like drone designed for battlefield reconnaissance and surveillance missions amid growing military threats from Beijing.
In a display on Tuesday, the government-funded Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology – the island’s top weapons builder – also introduced several other types of unmanned aerial vehicles, including a stealth UAV which is still under development.
The production of the new close-range tactical rotary-wing drone is aimed at boosting the military’s combat readiness through a real-time image transfer system and precision scouting, according to institute officials. It is tentatively dubbed Capricorn and has a flight time of up to 60 minutes and a remote-control distance of up to 30km (18.6 miles).
“The drone is produced for the newly established joint combat units of the army for near-sea and urban reconnaissance,”
said Chi Li-pin, director of aerospace at the institute.
It also showcased the latest version of the Teng Yun (Cloud Rider) medium-altitude, long-endurance surveillance drone, which completed test flights in June.
The Teng Yun 2 design resembles the US MQ-9 Reaper, is compatible with AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and other locally developed anti-ship missiles and can conduct tactical reconnaissance and combat missions.
The demonstration event introduced plans for a previously undisclosed type of drone which the institute said would have a stealth function. Institute officials did not reveal when the prototype of the turbine-engine UAV would be completed.
Source: South China Post