Military research unit unveils Taiwan-made 'suicide drone'
ROC Central News Agency
03/14/2023 02:46 PM
Taichung, March 14 (CNA) Taiwan's top military research unit unveiled nine domestically developed drones in Taichung Tuesday, including a loitering munition, or "suicide drone," similar to the U.S.-made AeroVironment Switchblade 300.
The surveillance and attack drones shown to the media by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) included the Albatross medium unmanned aerial vehicles no. 1 and 2, and the Teng Yun 2 and Cardinal 2 and 3 indigenous unmanned combat aerial vehicles, among others.
The institute also unveiled a domestically made "suicide" drone inspired by the AeroVironment Switchblade 300, which Ukrainian forces have employed to great effect in the country's war with Russia.
Chi Li-pin (齊立平), head of the NCSIST Aeronautical Systems Research Division, told reporters that the miniature loitering munition has a range of 10 kilometers, can fly for 15 minutes and can fit inside a rucksack.
Equipped with a high-performance electro-optical and infrared sensor, the drone can be carried by a single soldier and can destroy high-value and high-risk vehicles and personnel, Chi said.
"It's like a large grenade capable of flying," Chi said.
Chi said the drone would be well suited for attacking coastal and near-shore enemy targets, adding that it was compatible with Taiwan's military needs with regards to conducting asymmetrical warfare against a much stronger rival, namely China.
(By Wu Sheng-hung and Joseph Yeh)
Enditem/ASG
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