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

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The 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

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A 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]

 
A model of Teng Yun 2 in TADTE 2019

Incidents

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In February 2021 one prototype of the first generation Teng Yun crashed in Taitung Forest Park during a test flight.[7]

General characteristics

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  • Primary Function: reconnaissance and strike UAV
  • Power Plant: turboprop
  • Range: >1,000km[8]
  • Endurance: 24 hours[8]
  • Ceiling: 25,000 feet[8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Morgan, Scott (4 September 2018). "Taiwan plans military drone fleet to protect coast". www.taiwannews.com.tw. Taiwan News. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  2. ^ Ng, JR (August 2019). "Asia-Pacific Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Directory 2018". Asia Military Review: 14–27. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  3. ^ Strong, Matthew (13 April 2018). "Taiwan tests largest domestic drone above Taitung". www.taiwannews.com.tw. Taiwan News. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  4. ^ and Emerson Lim, Matt Yu. "Taiwan to show off indigenous MALE drone at Defense Exhibition". focustaiwan.tw. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  5. ^ Chang, Eric (6 November 2020). "Taiwan-made Teng Yun drones spotted at Taitung airbase". www.taiwannews.com.tw. Taiwan News. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ Lu, Tyson; Lim, Emerson. "Taiwan's locally-developed military drone crashes; no one hurt". focustaiwan.tw. Focus Taiwan. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  8. ^ a b c "Taiwan Unveils New UAV Development". en.c4defence.com. C4 Defense. Retrieved 17 January 2020.