Revision as of 04:53, 17 January 2020 editHorse Eye Jack (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users10,961 edits Merged with CSIST Chung Shyang II under this name, drone was renamed six or seven years ago.← Previous edit | Latest revision as of 12:55, 15 January 2024 edit undoSkylisan (talk | contribs)IP block exemptions366 editsNo edit summary | ||
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{|{{Infobox Aircraft Begin | |||
] | |||
|name = NCSIST Albatross | |||
] | |||
|image = UAV 9728 Display at Chengkungling Ground 20150606.jpg | |||
] | |||
|caption = }} | |||
] | |||
{{Infobox Aircraft Type | |||
|type = UAV | |||
|manufacturer = ] | |||
|designer = <!-- only appropriate for single designers, not project leaders or companies --> | |||
|first flight = | |||
|introduction = 2007 | |||
|retired = <!--date the aircraft left military or revenue service. If vague or multiples, it probably should be skipped--> | |||
|status = In service | |||
|primary user = ] | |||
|more users = | |||
|produced = <!--years in production, e.g. 1970-1999, if still in active use but no longer built--> | |||
|number built = >32 | |||
|program cost = | |||
|unit cost = ~3 million USD | |||
|developed from = Chung Shyang I | |||
|variants with their own articles = | |||
}} | |||
|} | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] Ground with rain cover]] | |||
The Albatross, also known as the, is a medium unmanned aerial vehicle made by ]. |
The '''Albatross'''({{lang-zh|t=銳鳶|p=Ruì yuān}},“Sharp Kite”), also known as the '''Chung Xiang II''', is a medium unmanned aerial vehicle made by ].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ng |first1=JR |title=Asia-Pacific Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Directory 2018 |journal=Asia Military Review |date=August 2019 |pages=14–27 |url=https://issuu.com/vishmeh/docs/amr_1808 |accessdate=17 January 2020}}</ref> It is in service with the ]. | ||
== |
==Design== | ||
The Chung Shyang II UAV can perform surveillance, reconnaissance, target acquisition, artillery spotting and battle damage assessment sorties for the military and perform other duties such as border patrol, and aerial reconnaissance for various government agencies.<ref name="The Diplomat 2014" /> | The Chung Shyang II UAV can perform surveillance, reconnaissance, target acquisition, artillery spotting and battle damage assessment sorties for the military and perform other duties such as border patrol, and aerial reconnaissance for various government agencies. It can also be used as air communication relay and carry out disaster assessment during times of disasters.<ref name="The Diplomat 2014" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=中型中翔無人機 |url=https://www.ncsist.org.tw/csistdup/products/product.aspx?product_Id=20&catalog=56 |publisher=NCSIST |access-date=2024-01-15 |archive-date=2022-07-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719115948/https://www.ncsist.org.tw/csistdup/products/product.aspx?product_Id=20&catalog=56|language=zh-tw}}</ref> | ||
The Albatross has a wingspan of 8 meters<ref>{{cite web |last1=Elaine Hou and Kuo Chung-han |first1=Rita Cheng |
The Albatross has a wingspan of 8 meters<ref>{{cite web |last1=Elaine Hou and Kuo Chung-han |first1=Rita Cheng |title=New U.S. drone sale policy could be good for Taiwan |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/201502180005 |website=focustaiwan.tw |publisher=Focus Taiwan |accessdate=17 January 2020}}</ref> and a range of more than 180km. Endurance is approximately 12 hours.<ref name="Focus Taiwan 2019" /> It carries an electro-optical payload and can operate in both day and night. In addition to its military capabilities the Albatross can also be used for civilian applications such as agriculture, fisheries, animal husbandry, disaster monitoring, environmental protection, traffic control, target searching, position recognition, coastal patrol, communications relay, and hazardous terrain survey.<ref>{{cite web |title=Albatross Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems |url=http://www.ncsist.org.tw/eng/csistdup/products/product.aspx?product_Id=20&catalog=9 |website=www.ncsist.org.tw |publisher=NCSIST |accessdate=17 January 2020}}</ref> Officials have refused to comment on whether the type can be armed.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Peck |first1=Michael |title=Taiwan shows off UAVs |url=https://www.c4isrnet.com/unmanned/2014/12/18/taiwan-shows-off-uavs/ |website=www.c4isrnet.com |publisher=C4ISR.net |accessdate=17 January 2020|date=2017-08-08 }}</ref> | ||
==Development== | ===Development=== | ||
CSIST unveiled a prototype of the UAV at the ] in August, 2005. CSIST began researching UAVs in 2002, which resulted in the first Chung Shyang I UAV, then later the Chung Shyang II.<ref name="Flight Global 2005">{{cite web |last1=SOBIE |first1=BRENDAN |title=Government-controlled CSIST unveils Chung Shyang II mock-up and hopes to develop strike version for military |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/taiwan-wants-to-arm-tactical-uav-201115/ |website=www.flightglobal.com |publisher=Flight Global |accessdate=17 July 2019}}</ref> | |||
==Development== | |||
CSIST unveiled a prototype of the UAV at the ] in August, 2005. CSIST began researching UAVs in 2002, which resulted in the first Chung Shyang I UAV, then later the Chung Shyang II.<ref name="Flight Global 2005" /> | |||
==Service history== | |||
Funding for the project has been passed by the Legislative Yuan, it is expected to be finished in 2011.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} | |||
In 2017 the drones were transferred from the Army Aviation and Special Forces Command to the Naval Fleet Command.<ref name="Taiwan News May 2020" /> | |||
In 2019 a Navy Albatross made the types first fly-over demonstration during an exercise in ].<ref name="Focus Taiwan 2019" /> | |||
The Republic of China (Taiwan) military is currently planning to develop an armed variant of the UAV, and procure around 3 battalions of armed UAVs for the ]. Some industry sources have stated that an armed variant would include an 800 kg (1,760 lb) payload, an early-warning radar, AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles and possibly domestically sourced munitions.<ref name="Flight Global 2005">{{cite web |last1=SOBIE |first1=BRENDAN |title=Government-controlled CSIST unveils Chung Shyang II mock-up and hopes to develop strike version for military |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/taiwan-wants-to-arm-tactical-uav-201115/ |website=www.flightglobal.com |publisher=Flight Global |accessdate=17 July 2019}}</ref> | |||
Following a 2019 crash the military ordered upgrades to be made across the entire Albatross fleet,<ref>{{cite web |title=Taiwan upgrades Albatross tactical UAVs |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/2020/05/20/928464eb-fa69-4a8d-bacc-b8028c342c60 |website=www.janes.com |publisher=Janes |accessdate=23 May 2020}}</ref> by May 2020 NCSIST had completed upgrades on 26 aircraft.<ref name="Taiwan News May 2020" >{{cite web |last1=Chen |first1=Kelvin |title=Taiwan's Navy upgrades drone fleet |url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3935762 |website=www.taiwannews.com.tw |date=18 May 2020 |publisher=Taiwan News |accessdate=18 May 2020}}</ref> | |||
==Service history== | |||
In 2019 a Navy Albatross made the types first fly-over demonstration during an exercise in ].<ref name="Focus Taiwan 2019" /> | |||
==Incidents== | ===Incidents=== | ||
Albatross |
The Albatross has crashed three times in 2012, 2013, and 2016.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Yeh |first1=Joseph |title=Military UAV goes missing during training exercise: Taiwanese Army |url=http://www.asianews.eu/content/military-uav-goes-missing-during-training-exercise-taiwanese-army-31569 |website=www.asianews.eu |publisher=Asia News |accessdate=17 July 2019|date=2016-10-28 }}</ref> | ||
On Jan. 24 2018, an Albatross crashed into the sea during a military exercise off of Taitung. Mechanical failure is suspected to be the cause of the crash.<ref name="Focus Taiwan 2019" >{{cite web |last1=and Evelyn Kao |first1=Wang Cheng-chung |title=Albatross drone makes first fly-over demonstration in Pingtung |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/201901240016 |website=focustaiwan.tw |publisher=Focus Taiwan |accessdate=17 January 2020}}</ref> | On Jan. 24 2018, an Albatross crashed into the sea during a military exercise off of Taitung. Mechanical failure is suspected to be the cause of the crash.<ref name="Focus Taiwan 2019" >{{cite web |last1=and Evelyn Kao |first1=Wang Cheng-chung |title=Albatross drone makes first fly-over demonstration in Pingtung |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/201901240016 |website=focustaiwan.tw |publisher=Focus Taiwan |accessdate=17 January 2020}}</ref> | ||
In May 2021 an Albatross was brought down in the waters off Taitung County by its control team after experiencing in-flight anomalies. The control crew made the decision not to risk civilian lives by attempting to return to the airport. This was believed to be the ninth crash of the Albatross since 2012.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Yu-chen |first1=Chung |last2=Lu |first2=Tyson |last3=Lim |first3=Emerson |title=Taiwan-developed military drone crashes into sea |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/society/202105210015 |website=focustaiwan.tw |publisher=Focus Taiwan |access-date=21 May 2021}}</ref> | |||
==Albatross II== | |||
Albatross II is an improved model developed by NCSIST and GEOSAT aerospace & technology. Its range is increased with endurance, communications range, and payload also being increased. Unlike Albatross I, it has a ]. It is compatible with ] missiles and 2.75in rockets.<ref name="Asymmetry" /> It has a reported range of 300km and a maximum loitering time of 16 hours. Artificial intelligence has also been introduced into the surveillance and tracking system.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cheung |first1=Eric |title=Taiwan unveils its new combat and surveillance drones as China threat grows |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/14/asia/taiwan-china-military-drones-unveiled-hnk-intl/index.html |website=cnn.com |publisher=CNN |access-date=14 March 2023}}</ref> It was displayed at the ] in 2023 and is approximately twice the size of Albatross I.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kajal |first1=Kapil |title=TADTE 2023: NCSIST displays new UASs |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/tadte-2023-ncsist-displays-new-uass |website=janes.com |publisher=Janes |access-date=15 September 2023}}</ref> | |||
==Operators== | ==Operators== | ||
<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.--> | |||
*]- 32 (2014)<ref name="The Diplomat 2014">{{cite web |last1=Keck |first1=Zachary |title=Taiwan’s Using Drones to Spy on China |url=https://thediplomat.com/2014/07/taiwans-using-drones-to-spy-on-china/ |website=thediplomat.com |publisher=The Diplomat |accessdate=17 July 2019}}</ref> | |||
*{{TWN}} | |||
**]- >26<ref name="Taiwan News May 2020" /> | |||
*{{MAS}} <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.upmedia.mg/news_info.php?SerialNo=6435 |title=中科院銳鳶無人機 獲馬來西亞訂單}}</ref> | |||
===Former operators=== | |||
*{{TWN}} | |||
**]<ref name="Taiwan News May 2020" /> 32 in service in 2014,<ref name="The Diplomat 2014">{{cite web |last1=Keck |first1=Zachary |title=Taiwan's Using Drones to Spy on China |url=https://thediplomat.com/2014/07/taiwans-using-drones-to-spy-on-china/ |website=thediplomat.com |publisher=The Diplomat |accessdate=17 July 2019}}</ref> transferred to the Republic of China Navy.<ref name="Taiwan News May 2020" /> | |||
==Specifications== | ==Specifications== | ||
{{aircraft specifications | |||
| plane or copter? = plane | |||
| jet or prop? = prop | |||
=== Albatross I === | |||
| ref = | |||
{{Aircraft specs | |||
<!-- General characteristics --> | |||
|ref=Taiwan News<ref name="Taiwan News May 2020" /> | |||
| crew = | |||
|prime units?=met | |||
| capacity = | |||
<!-- | |||
| payload main = | |||
General characteristics | |||
| payload alt = | |||
--> | |||
| payload more = | |||
|capacity= | |||
| length main = | |||
| |
|length m=5.3 | ||
|length note= | |||
| span main = | |||
| |
|span m=8.6 | ||
|span note= | |||
| height main = | |||
| |
|height m= | ||
|height note= | |||
| area main = | |||
| area |
|wing area sqm= | ||
|wing area note= | |||
| airfoil = | |||
| |
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes --> | ||
|airfoil= | |||
| empty weight main = | |||
| |
|empty weight kg= | ||
|empty weight note= | |||
| useful load main = | |||
|gross weight kg=317 | |||
| useful load alt = | |||
| |
|gross weight note= | ||
| |
|max takeoff weight kg= | ||
| |
|max takeoff weight note= | ||
|fuel capacity= | |||
| max takeoff weight alt = | |||
| |
|more general= | ||
<!-- | |||
<!-- Powerplant, jet engine(s) --> | |||
Powerplant | |||
--> | |||
| type of jet = | |||
| number |
|eng1 number= | ||
|eng1 name= | |||
| thrust main = | |||
|eng1 type= | |||
| thrust alt = | |||
|eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines --> | |||
| thrust original = | |||
|eng1 hp=<!-- prop engines --> | |||
| afterburning thrust main = | |||
|eng1 shp=<!-- prop engines --> | |||
| afterburning thrust alt = | |||
<!-- |
|eng1 kn=<!-- jet/rocket engines --> | ||
|eng1 lbf=<!-- jet/rocket engines --> | |||
| engine (prop) = | |||
|eng1 note= | |||
| type of prop = | |||
|power original= | |||
| number of props = | |||
|thrust original= | |||
| power main = | |||
|eng1 kn-ab=<!-- afterburners --> | |||
| power alt = | |||
|eng1 lbf-ab=<!-- afterburners --> | |||
| power original = | |||
<!-- Powerplant, propellor/rotor details --> | |||
|eng2 number= | |||
| propeller or rotor? = propeller | |||
|eng2 name= | |||
| propellers = | |||
|eng2 type= | |||
| number of propellers per engine = | |||
|eng2 kw=<!-- prop engines --> | |||
| propeller diameter main = | |||
|eng2 hp=<!-- prop engines --> | |||
| propeller diameter alt = | |||
|eng2 shp=<!-- prop engines --> | |||
|eng2 kn=<!-- jet/rocket engines --> | |||
|eng2 lbf=<!-- jet/rocket engines --> | |||
|eng2 note= | |||
|eng2 kn-ab=<!-- afterburners --> | |||
|eng2 lbf-ab=<!-- afterburners --> | |||
|eng3 number= | |||
|eng3 name= | |||
|eng3 type= | |||
|eng3 kw=<!-- prop engines --> | |||
|eng3 hp=<!-- prop engines --> | |||
|eng3 shp=<!-- prop engines --> | |||
|eng3 kn=<!-- jet/rocket engines --> | |||
|eng3 lbf=<!-- jet/rocket engines --> | |||
|eng3 note= | |||
|eng3 kn-ab=<!-- afterburners --> | |||
|eng3 lbf-ab=<!-- afterburners --> | |||
|more power= | |||
|prop blade number=<!-- propeller aircraft --> | |||
|prop name= | |||
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft --> | |||
|prop dia note= | |||
|rot number=<!-- helicopters --> | |||
|rot dia m=<!-- helicopters --> | |||
|rot area sqm=<!-- helicopters --> | |||
|rot area note= | |||
<!-- | |||
Performance | |||
--> | |||
|max speed kmh= | |||
|max speed note= | |||
|max speed mach=<!-- supersonic aircraft --> | |||
|cruise speed kmh= | |||
|cruise speed note= | |||
|stall speed kmh= | |||
|stall speed note= | |||
|never exceed speed kmh= | |||
|never exceed speed note= | |||
|minimum control speed kmh= | |||
|minimum control speed note= | |||
|range km=180 | |||
|range note= | |||
|combat range km= | |||
|combat range note= | |||
|ferry range km= | |||
|ferry range note= | |||
|endurance=12 hours | |||
|ceiling m=4000 | |||
|ceiling note= | |||
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic --> | |||
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic --> | |||
|climb rate ms= | |||
|climb rate note= | |||
|time to altitude= | |||
|wing loading kg/m2= | |||
|wing loading note= | |||
|disk loading kg/m2= | |||
|disk loading note= | |||
|fuel consumption kg/km= | |||
|power/mass= | |||
|thrust/weight= | |||
|more performance= | |||
|avionics= | |||
}} | |||
=== Albatross II === | |||
{{Aircraft specs | |||
|ref=Focus Taiwan<ref name="Asymmetry" >{{cite web |last1=Lin |first1=Sean |title=FEATURE/Asymmetrical warfare focus has Taiwan drone companies upping the ante |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/sci-tech/202209100016 |website=focustaiwan.tw |publisher=Focus Taiwan |access-date=10 September 2022}}</ref> | |||
|prime units?=met | |||
<!-- | |||
General characteristics | |||
--> | |||
|capacity= | |||
|length m= | |||
|length note= | |||
|span m= | |||
|span note= | |||
|height m= | |||
|height note= | |||
|wing area sqm= | |||
|wing area note= | |||
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes --> | |||
|airfoil= | |||
|empty weight kg= | |||
|empty weight note= | |||
|gross weight kg= | |||
|gross weight note= | |||
|max takeoff weight kg= | |||
|max takeoff weight note= | |||
|fuel capacity= | |||
|more general= | |||
<!-- | |||
Powerplant | |||
--> | |||
|eng1 number= | |||
|eng1 name= | |||
|eng1 type= | |||
|eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines --> | |||
|eng1 hp=<!-- prop engines --> | |||
|eng1 shp=<!-- prop engines --> | |||
|eng1 kn=<!-- jet/rocket engines --> | |||
|eng1 lbf=<!-- jet/rocket engines --> | |||
|eng1 note= | |||
|power original= | |||
|thrust original= | |||
|eng1 kn-ab=<!-- afterburners --> | |||
|eng1 lbf-ab=<!-- afterburners --> | |||
|eng2 number= | |||
|eng2 name= | |||
|eng2 type= | |||
|eng2 kw=<!-- prop engines --> | |||
|eng2 hp=<!-- prop engines --> | |||
|eng2 shp=<!-- prop engines --> | |||
|eng2 kn=<!-- jet/rocket engines --> | |||
|eng2 lbf=<!-- jet/rocket engines --> | |||
|eng2 note= | |||
|eng2 kn-ab=<!-- afterburners --> | |||
|eng2 lbf-ab=<!-- afterburners --> | |||
|eng3 number= | |||
| more general powerplant = | |||
|eng3 name= | |||
<!-- Performance --> | |||
|eng3 type= | |||
| max speed main = | |||
|eng3 kw=<!-- prop engines --> | |||
| max speed alt = | |||
|eng3 hp=<!-- prop engines --> | |||
| max speed more = | |||
|eng3 shp=<!-- prop engines --> | |||
| cruise speed main = | |||
|eng3 kn=<!-- jet/rocket engines --> | |||
| cruise speed alt = | |||
|eng3 lbf=<!-- jet/rocket engines --> | |||
| cruise speed more = | |||
|eng3 note= | |||
| stall speed main = | |||
|eng3 kn-ab=<!-- afterburners --> | |||
| stall speed alt = | |||
|eng3 lbf-ab=<!-- afterburners --> | |||
| stall speed more = | |||
|more power= | |||
| never exceed speed main = | |||
| never exceed speed alt = | |||
| range main = 180 km | |||
| range alt = | |||
| range more = | |||
| combat radius main= | |||
| combat radius alt = | |||
| combat radius more= | |||
| ferry range main = | |||
| ferry range alt = | |||
| ferry range more = | |||
| endurance = 12 hours | |||
| ceiling main = | |||
| ceiling alt = | |||
| ceiling more = | |||
| climb rate main = | |||
| climb rate alt = | |||
| climb rate more = | |||
| sink rate main = | |||
| sink rate alt = | |||
| sink rate more = | |||
| loading main = | |||
| loading alt = | |||
| thrust/weight = | |||
| power/mass main = | |||
| power/mass alt = | |||
| more performance = | |||
<!-- Armament --> | |||
| armament = <!-- If you want to use the following specific parameters, do not use this line at all --> | |||
| guns = | |||
| bombs = | |||
| rockets = | |||
| missiles = | |||
| hardpoints = | |||
| hardpoint capacity = | |||
| hardpoint rockets = | |||
| hardpoint missiles = | |||
| hardpoint bombs = | |||
| hardpoint other = | |||
|prop blade number=<!-- propeller aircraft --> | |||
| avionics = | |||
|prop name= | |||
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft --> | |||
|prop dia note= | |||
|rot number=<!-- helicopters --> | |||
|rot dia m=<!-- helicopters --> | |||
|rot area sqm=<!-- helicopters --> | |||
|rot area note= | |||
<!-- | |||
Performance | |||
--> | |||
|max speed kmh= | |||
|max speed note= | |||
|max speed mach=<!-- supersonic aircraft --> | |||
|cruise speed kmh= | |||
|cruise speed note= | |||
|stall speed kmh= | |||
|stall speed note= | |||
|never exceed speed kmh= | |||
|never exceed speed note= | |||
|minimum control speed kmh= | |||
|minimum control speed note= | |||
|range km=250 | |||
|range note= | |||
|combat range km= | |||
|combat range note= | |||
|ferry range km= | |||
|ferry range note= | |||
|endurance= | |||
|ceiling m= | |||
|ceiling note= | |||
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic --> | |||
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic --> | |||
|climb rate ms= | |||
|climb rate note= | |||
|time to altitude= | |||
|wing loading kg/m2= | |||
|wing loading note= | |||
|disk loading kg/m2= | |||
|disk loading note= | |||
|fuel consumption kg/km= | |||
|power/mass= | |||
|thrust/weight= | |||
|more performance= | |||
|avionics= | |||
}} | }} | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
* ] | * ] | ||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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{{ROC Military}} | {{ROC Military}} | ||
{{National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) aircraft}} | |||
] | ] | ||
] | ] | ||
] | |||
] |
Latest revision as of 12:55, 15 January 2024
NCSIST Albatross | |
---|---|
Role | UAVType of aircraft |
Manufacturer | National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology |
Introduction | 2007 |
Status | In service |
Primary user | Republic of China Navy |
Number built | >32 |
Developed from | Chung Shyang I |
The Albatross(Chinese: 銳鳶; pinyin: Ruì yuān,“Sharp Kite”), also known as the Chung Xiang II, is a medium unmanned aerial vehicle made by National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology. It is in service with the Republic of China Navy.
Design
The Chung Shyang II UAV can perform surveillance, reconnaissance, target acquisition, artillery spotting and battle damage assessment sorties for the military and perform other duties such as border patrol, and aerial reconnaissance for various government agencies. It can also be used as air communication relay and carry out disaster assessment during times of disasters.
The Albatross has a wingspan of 8 meters and a range of more than 180km. Endurance is approximately 12 hours. It carries an electro-optical payload and can operate in both day and night. In addition to its military capabilities the Albatross can also be used for civilian applications such as agriculture, fisheries, animal husbandry, disaster monitoring, environmental protection, traffic control, target searching, position recognition, coastal patrol, communications relay, and hazardous terrain survey. Officials have refused to comment on whether the type can be armed.
Development
CSIST unveiled a prototype of the UAV at the Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition in August, 2005. CSIST began researching UAVs in 2002, which resulted in the first Chung Shyang I UAV, then later the Chung Shyang II.
Service history
In 2017 the drones were transferred from the Army Aviation and Special Forces Command to the Naval Fleet Command.
In 2019 a Navy Albatross made the types first fly-over demonstration during an exercise in Pingtung.
Following a 2019 crash the military ordered upgrades to be made across the entire Albatross fleet, by May 2020 NCSIST had completed upgrades on 26 aircraft.
Incidents
The Albatross has crashed three times in 2012, 2013, and 2016.
On Jan. 24 2018, an Albatross crashed into the sea during a military exercise off of Taitung. Mechanical failure is suspected to be the cause of the crash.
In May 2021 an Albatross was brought down in the waters off Taitung County by its control team after experiencing in-flight anomalies. The control crew made the decision not to risk civilian lives by attempting to return to the airport. This was believed to be the ninth crash of the Albatross since 2012.
Albatross II
Albatross II is an improved model developed by NCSIST and GEOSAT aerospace & technology. Its range is increased with endurance, communications range, and payload also being increased. Unlike Albatross I, it has a synthetic aperture radar. It is compatible with Sky Sword missiles and 2.75in rockets. It has a reported range of 300km and a maximum loitering time of 16 hours. Artificial intelligence has also been introduced into the surveillance and tracking system. It was displayed at the Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition in 2023 and is approximately twice the size of Albatross I.
Operators
Former operators
- Taiwan
- Republic of China Army 32 in service in 2014, transferred to the Republic of China Navy.
Specifications
Albatross I
Data from Taiwan News
General characteristics
- Length: 5.3 m (17 ft 5 in)
- Wingspan: 8.6 m (28 ft 3 in)
- Gross weight: 317 kg (699 lb)
Performance
- Range: 180 km (110 mi, 97 nmi)
- Endurance: 12 hours
- Service ceiling: 4,000 m (13,000 ft)
Albatross II
Data from Focus Taiwan
General characteristics
Performance
- Range: 250 km (160 mi, 130 nmi)
See also
References
- Ng, JR (August 2019). "Asia-Pacific Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Directory 2018". Asia Military Review: 14–27. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ Keck, Zachary. "Taiwan's Using Drones to Spy on China". thediplomat.com. The Diplomat. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
- "中型中翔無人機" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). NCSIST. Archived from the original on 2022-07-19. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
- Elaine Hou and Kuo Chung-han, Rita Cheng. "New U.S. drone sale policy could be good for Taiwan". focustaiwan.tw. Focus Taiwan. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ and Evelyn Kao, Wang Cheng-chung. "Albatross drone makes first fly-over demonstration in Pingtung". focustaiwan.tw. Focus Taiwan. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- "Albatross Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems". www.ncsist.org.tw. NCSIST. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- Peck, Michael (2017-08-08). "Taiwan shows off UAVs". www.c4isrnet.com. C4ISR.net. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- SOBIE, BRENDAN. "Government-controlled CSIST unveils Chung Shyang II mock-up and hopes to develop strike version for military". www.flightglobal.com. Flight Global. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
- ^ Chen, Kelvin (18 May 2020). "Taiwan's Navy upgrades drone fleet". www.taiwannews.com.tw. Taiwan News. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
- "Taiwan upgrades Albatross tactical UAVs". www.janes.com. Janes. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
- Yeh, Joseph (2016-10-28). "Military UAV goes missing during training exercise: Taiwanese Army". www.asianews.eu. Asia News. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
- Yu-chen, Chung; Lu, Tyson; Lim, Emerson. "Taiwan-developed military drone crashes into sea". focustaiwan.tw. Focus Taiwan. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
- ^ Lin, Sean. "FEATURE/Asymmetrical warfare focus has Taiwan drone companies upping the ante". focustaiwan.tw. Focus Taiwan. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
- Cheung, Eric. "Taiwan unveils its new combat and surveillance drones as China threat grows". cnn.com. CNN. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
- Kajal, Kapil. "TADTE 2023: NCSIST displays new UASs". janes.com. Janes. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
- "中科院銳鳶無人機 獲馬來西亞訂單".
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