Taiwan Defense Show Exhibits New Weapons

Two new naval weapon systems developed by the military-run Chung-shan Institute of Science and Technology (CSIST) were on exhibit: the Sea Oryx short-range air defense missile system and the TC-2N medium-range air defense missile system. CSIST is responsible for all indigenous missile and radar development.

The Sea Oryx system can fire 8 or 16 ready-to-fire missiles from a pivotal multi-axis launcher. It can defend against anti-ship missiles, helicopters, and low flying fixed-wing targets. The missile is an upgraded variant of the short-range Tien Chien-1 (Sky Sword) missile used by air force's Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF) aircraft and the army's ground-based mobile Antelope air defense system. The missile incorporates an imaging infrared seeker, inertial navigation system, data-link system and an enhance rocket motor. The Sea Oryx is operated in the lock-on-after-launch mode to reduce engagement reaction time.

The TC-2N system can used as a vertical or incline missile launch system and is roughly the same size as the US-built AIM-120 medium range air defense missile. Like the Sea Oynx, the TC-2N is based on CSIST's Tien Chien-2, with "N" representing navy. The Tien Chien-2 was originally designed for the IDF. The TC-2N has an active radar guided missile with a booster and a thrust vector controller in the rear.

CSIST showed off the first prototype of its medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). This is the largest UAV ever produced by CSIST. There were no details regarding performance, but the structure is remarkably similar to the MQ-9 Reaper with the same tail configuration and rear propeller. CSIST would only state that the UAV was an all-composite construction capable of multi-payloads, including intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and coastal patrol.

CSIST's coastal defense rocket system was on exhibit for the first time. The fixed-emplacement weapon has an engage-on-remote system and is mounted on a turret. At a maximum range of 1.5 km, the system can be deployed along the shore and critical defense locations on the outlying islands.

CSIST's coastal defense rocket system is a fixed-emplacement weapon with an engage-on-remote system.

Photo Credit: Wendell Minnick/Staff

A new target drone was unveiled by CSIST. The SPARK jet-powered target drone has a range of 100 km and can sustain a level flight speed of 330 knots. It is reusable with a parachute, and the avionics system includes digital autopilot, data link, GPS and autonomous waypoint navigation. It can be pneumatically launched from land or a ship.

The 205 exhibited its new 9mm XT104 submachine gun. The 2.83 kg weapon has a 30 round magazine with a fire rate of 500-800 rounds per minute. The weapon is a counterforce design to improve control problems during high speed shot mode, thus achieving high stability and low recoil.

The 202 displayed a new advanced mobile mortar system compatible with both 81mm and 120mm gun tubes. It can be mounted inside the mortar carrier variant of the Clouded Leopard. The semi-automatic function allows 4-8 rounds.

The XT104 submachine gun has a 30 round magazine with a fire rate of 500-800 rounds per minute.

Photo Credit: Wendell Minnick/Staff

The biennial show will also have exhibits from the local and foreign commercial defense sector, such as the Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation, Lockheed Martin and Rockwell Collins.

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