Taiwan unveils Capricorn unmanned helicopter and Teng Yun reconnaissance drone similar to MQ-9 Reaper
The Zhongshan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), together with the Chien Hsiang kamikaze drone, which can fly 1,000 km and reach speeds of up to 600 km/h, presented two more novelties.
The first model is Teng Yun. Outwardly, the unmanned aerial vehicle resembles the American MQ-9 Reaper drone. Next year, it will undergo a combat readiness assessment, after which serial production will begin.
Teng Yun will be used for intelligence in the interests of the armed forces of the Republic of China. The first version of the unmanned aerial vehicle was presented back in 2015. The most modern version of the drone can fly for up to 20 hours and supports satellite control.
The second NCSIST innovation is an unmanned helicopter. According to the manufacturer, the state has already purchased 50 such unmanned aerial vehicles. Currently, they are used in coastal areas. The drone is called Capricorn.
The drone is able to plot a route in automatic mode and can land without the operator’s involvement. The maximum duration of the flight is ‘more than an hour’, and the range is more than 30 km. Capricorn is able to transmit images in real time. The Army of the Republic of China has armed itself with 14 such UAVs.
