UAV

Taiwan may convert retired fighter jets into drones

Taiwan air force F-5
Military Affairs 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

Taiwan’s defense industry is considering converting its aging F-5 fleet into Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) as constant provocations by the Chinese military puts pressure on air force manpower, it was revealed in Taiwan’s legislature today. Minister of National Defense Chiu Kuo-cheng met with the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee of the Legislative Yuan today, May 4, to report on a range of issues, including the Naval and Air Combat Power Enhancement Plan and F-16V(Block 70) procurement progress. Democratic

Read more

“The new normal:” Chinese drone circles Taiwan for second time in a week

composite image showing BZK-005 uav and flight path around Taiwan
Military Affairs 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , , ,

The Chinese military flew a drone around Taiwan yesterday, May 2, just six days after it made the first encirclement using a bomber drone on April 27, rapidly escalating the maneuver from unprecedented to “new normal.” According to Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense, a People’s Liberation Army Air Force BZK-005 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) flew eastwards from the Chinese coast, crossing the center line of the Taiwan Strait in the north, then passing between Yonaguni Island, Japan, and Taiwan’s east

Read more

New level of threat-posture: Chinese jumbo bomber drone flies around Taiwan for the first time

composite image showing Chinese TB-001 drone and flight path around Taiwan
Military Affairs 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , ,

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense reported that in the 24 hours up to 6:00 am this morning, April 28, a total of 38 sorties by Chinese military aircraft were recorded in Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone, including 19 that crossed the center line of the Taiwan Strait, and one that completely encircled Taiwan. A TB-001 UAV flew via the Bashi Channel, south of the island, and traveled north, returning to China via the Miyako Strait in what appears to be

Read more

Military drone crash lands in Taitung City park

crashed Teng Yun unmanned combat aerial vehicle
Military Affairs 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , , ,

A military unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) crash landed in Taitung Forest Park this evening, and the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) says the cause of the crash was an error in the flight control system. The UCAV took off from the Chih-hang Air Force Base this afternoon on a test flight, and landed in a forested section of Taitung Forest Park at 6:33 pm, according to reports. There were no casualties, but contact with trees caused

Read more

Military drone found beached in Japan confirmed to be from Taiwan

Taiwan-owned military drone on Japanese beach
Breaking News Military Affairs 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

Taiwan’s military research institute, National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) has verified that a drone found on Taketomi Island, Okinawa, is one of its own. The military drone was found on the island September 8. Marked “MQM-107E,” the drone was identified as an American made model used by the US military, but also sold to other countries, including Taiwan. The US military denied that it was one of their own units, and the Chinese characters for “left” and

Read more

Military Drone Crashes Beside Elementary School

remains of UAV
Military Affairs 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , ,

An unmanned aerial vehicle belonging to the Marine Tactical Reconnaissance Unit crashed and burned in grassland next to an elementary school in Pingtung County this morning. No injuries were reported. Students and teachers of the Pinghe campus of WuTan Elementary School in Taiwu Township were alerted to the sound of a crash and explosion at around 11:00am. Witnesses reported a fireball seen on the slope around 100 meters from the campus. Firefighters extinguished a fire caused by the crash. Naval

Read more

Military Drone Missing in Chiayi County

Sharp Kite military surveillance drone used by Taiwan army
Military Affairs 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , ,

An unmanned aerial vehicle belonging to an Army Special Air tactical reconnaissance battalion went missing, around Jhuci Township in Chiayi County, yesterday, October 27. Operators lost contact with the vehicle during a routine training mission at around 4:00pm, while it was flying over mountainous terrain. The army have called off further operations of the drones, while they search for the missing aircraft. The UAV is a “Sharp Kite” class surveillance drone, developed in Taiwan at National Chungshan Institute of Science

Read more

UAVs in Agriculture: Kaohsiung City Supports Initiatives

unmanned aerial vehicle UAV agriculture
Business and Economy 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , ,

Photo: UDN College students in Kaohsiung County will be given the opportunity of part-time employment, and farmers will be freed from exposure to potentially dangerous pesticides in an innovative program launched in Kaohsiung City. College students will control Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to spot spray pesticides on crops.

Read more