The Teng Yun (Chinese: 騰雲; pinyin: Téng yún, “Cloud Rider”) is a UAV under development by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) of Taiwan. It was said to be able to carry armaments to conduct combat missions.
| NCSIST Teng Yun | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | Reconnaissance and Strike UAV |
| Manufacturer | National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology |
| First flight | Before 2018 |
| Introduction | 2007 start program and 2015 first public exhibition |
| Status | In development |
| Primary user | Republic of China Air Force |
Overview
editThe Teng Yun is a medium UCAV with a resemblance to the American MQ-9 Reaper. The 2019 defense budget allocated funds to build a significant number of Teng Yun systems.[1]
Development
editA prototype was exhibited at the Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition in 2015. An updated model with underwing hard points was exhibited in 2017.[2]
In 2018 a Teng Yun being tested was observed by residents of Taitung. Taiwan’s Air Force declined to procure the platform over concerns about the reliability of its electronic systems.[3] In response NCSIST introduced an improved model with enhanced thrust, greater-range, more payloads, an enhanced flight control system, and a triple-backup power system. NCSIST has announced that the improved the version of the Teng Yun would commence testing in Jan. 2020 with combat testing to be conducted in 2021.[4] Pictures of the improved version first surfaced in 2020. The improved version has a wider fuselage, a larger air intake, and more closely resembles the MQ-9 Reaper.[5] In June 2022 one of the improved variants, dubbed the Teng Yun 2, completed a ten hour test flight.[6]
Incidents
editIn February 2021 one prototype of the first generation Teng Yun crashed in Taitung Forest Park during a test flight.[7]
General characteristics
editSee also
editReferences
edit- ^ Morgan, Scott (4 September 2018). "Taiwan plans military drone fleet to protect coast". www.taiwannews.com.tw. Taiwan News. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ Ng, JR (August 2019). "Asia-Pacific Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Directory 2018". Asia Military Review: 14–27. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ Strong, Matthew (13 April 2018). "Taiwan tests largest domestic drone above Taitung". www.taiwannews.com.tw. Taiwan News. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ and Emerson Lim, Matt Yu. "Taiwan to show off indigenous MALE drone at Defense Exhibition". focustaiwan.tw. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ Chang, Eric (6 November 2020). "Taiwan-made Teng Yun drones spotted at Taitung airbase". www.taiwannews.com.tw. Taiwan News. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
- ^ Tai-lang, Yu; Tu, Aaron; Hetherington, William (27 June 2022). "Locally built drone flies around Taiwan in trial". taipeitimes.com. Taipei. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
- ^ Lu, Tyson; Lim, Emerson. "Taiwan's locally-developed military drone crashes; no one hurt". focustaiwan.tw. Focus Taiwan. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
- ^ a b c "Taiwan Unveils New UAV Development". en.c4defence.com. C4 Defense. Retrieved 17 January 2020.