Engineering:NCSIST Chien Hsiang

From HandWiki
Short description: Taiwanese loitering munition
NCSIST Chien Hsiang
Launcher of Chien hsiang loitering munition.jpg
Launcher of Chien hsiang loitering munition
TypeLoitering munition
Place of originTaiwan
Service history
Used byRepublic of China Air Force
Production history
ManufacturerNational Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology
Specifications
Length1,200 mm (47 in)
Width2,000 mm (79 in)

Wingspan2,000 mm (79 in)
PropellantLiquid fuel
Operational
range
1000 km[1]
Speed185 km/h (115 mph)
Guidance
system
EO, inertial, and anti-radiation homing
Launch
platform
Box launcher
TransportTractor trailer

The NCSIST Chien Hsiang (Taiwanese: kiàm-siông; English "Rising Sword”) is a Taiwanese anti-radiation loitering munition developed and produced by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology.

Overview

Chien Hsiang loitering munition

The Chien Hsiang is two meters wide, and 1.2 meters long.[2] It has a delta wing and a pusher propeller.[3] The Chien Hsiang has a reported loiter time of 100 hours and a top speed of 185 km/h.[4] They are primarily intended to fill the anti-radiation weapon role targeting enemy radars, transmitters, and associated systems.[3]

While the Chien Hsiang is comparable to the Israeli IAI Harpy, NCSIST has said that any resemblance is purely coincidental and that the platform is entirely indigenous.[5]

A variant with a sensor ball mounted under its nose has been displayed.[3]

History

The Chien Hsiang was first exhibited in 2017 at the Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition.[6] In 2019 the Taiwan Air Force’s Air Defense and Missile Command announced a five year, NT$80b (US$2.54b) project to build up a full force of anti-radiation UAVs.[7]

In 2022, it was reported that Chien Hsiang production was ahead of schedule and initial procurement was expected to be completed by 2024 or 2025.[8]

Launcher

The main Chien Hsiang launch platform is a trailer mounting twelve box launchers.[2] It can also be launched from fixed positions and naval vessels.[9]

Variants

Decoy

Designed to confuse air defenses systems in conjunction with strike Chien Hsiangs.[10]

Anti-ship

Two Chien Hsiang derivatives with larger warheads were displayed in 2023.[10]

See also

  • NCSIST Fire Cardinal
  • Defense industry of Taiwan

References

  1. Trevithick, Joseph. "Rare Look At Taiwan’s Chien Hsiang Kamikaze Drone In Action". The Drive. https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/rare-look-at-taiwans-chien-hsiang-kamikaze-drone-in-action. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 Everington, Keoni (21 October 2019). "Taiwan building fleet of Kamikaze drones to counter attack by China". Taiwan News. https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3800110. Retrieved 21 October 2019. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 TREVITHICK, JOSEPH (18 August 2023). "Rare Look At Taiwan's Chien Hsiang Kamikaze Drone In Action". The Drive. https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/rare-look-at-taiwans-chien-hsiang-kamikaze-drone-in-action. 
  4. Cole, J. Michael (17 August 2017). "Taiwanese Military Unveils New Equipment at Defense Trade Show". https://sentinel.tw/taiwan-tadte-2017-new/. Retrieved 22 October 2019. 
  5. Wong, Kelvin. "TADTE 2019: Taiwan's NCSIST rolls out indigenous anti-radiation loitering munition". Janes. https://www.janes.com/article/90511/tadte-2019-taiwan-s-ncsist-rolls-out-indigenous-anti-radiation-loitering-munition. Retrieved 21 October 2019. 
  6. Cole, J. Michael (30 June 2019). "How Taiwan Can Defend Its Coastline Against China". https://nationalinterest.org/feature/how-taiwan-can-defend-its-coastline-against-china-64861. Retrieved 22 October 2019. 
  7. Liao, George (19 June 2019). "Taiwan military to spend NT$80 billion on anti-radiation drone fleet". https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3727728. Retrieved 22 October 2019. 
  8. Tien-pin, Lo; Chin, Jonathan (4 March 2022). "MND details missile program schedule". Taipei Times. https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2022/03/04/2003774171. 
  9. HELFRICH, EMMA; ROGOWAY, TYLER (16 November 2022). "Taiwan Shows Off Its Radar-Killing Kamikaze Drones". The Drive. https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/taiwan-shows-off-its-radar-killing-kamikaze-drones. 
  10. 10.0 10.1 DOMINGUEZ, GABRIEL (14 March 2023). "Taking page from Ukraine, Taiwan shows off new killer drones". Japan Times. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/03/14/asia-pacific/taiwan-drones-ukraine-china/.