Tactical drone production might start in 2024: MNDBy Dennis Xie / Staff writer, with CNAThe indigenous Tengyun, an uncrewed tactical reconnaissance and combat drone, is expected to enter mass production by 2024, Ministry of National Defense (MND) officials told a meeting of the legislature’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee yesterday. Developed by the Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, the drone completed its initial test flight in April 2018. A Tengyun drone developed by the Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology undergoes testing in Hualien County on Sept. 16. Photo: Yu Tai-lang, Taipei TimesEvaluations of military operation capabilities are required before production can start, Chang said, adding that the process would take about one-and-a-half years. The MQ-9B is a strategic drone with high flight endurance and long-range reconnaissance capabilities, Chang said, adding that the US model would complement the Tengyun, which is a tactical drone.

Source: Taipei Times November 19, 2020 15:56 UTC