UAV at TADTE 2007

This is a scale model of a “stealth” UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) on display at Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology (CSIST) booth.  It looks quite impressive at the first sight.  But I think either this project is still at a very very early stage of development or CSIST is not very serious about the project.  Why?  I don’t see any intake or engine exhaust.  Don’t tell me it is an unpowered UAV!

CSIST displayed several types of UAV at TADTE 2007.  However, no aircraft specifications data were available.  Although in the August 17 issue of the Show Extra, there is an article titled “Buyer Impressed by TADTE’s Professionalism”, I don’t consider CSIST’s UAV display is professional.  (Is this because I am not a buyer? Or is this why I am not a buyer?)

 

The largest UAV in the picture above looks a lot like the MQ-9 Predator B.  I wonder if the Predator B “inspired” CSIST’s development team.  Anyway, I think the one displayed is only a subscale version for development.  The real thing should be much bigger.  The second largest one also resembles a foreign design, the RQ-11 Raven in this case.  The main difference is the location of the propeller.  Noteworthy is the MAV (Micro Air Vehicle), which is the smallest UAV in the picture.  Its portable control station is shown below.

 

Although a poster at the booth depicts the Chung Hsiang UAV （中翔）,  neither the full-scale version nor the subscale model were on display.  However…

In the second MND pavilion, which showcases the cooperation between the military and Taiwan’s local aviation industry, laid a large dark-green aircraft-like object.  I didn’t see anything around explaining what it was.  But soon I realized it was an unassembled partially finished Chung Hsiang II UAV!

 

Comparing the person next to it, you can get a rough idea how big the fuselage is.

 

The nose gear.

 

The very simplified main gear.

 

The tail section, which is connected to the wing with the twin booms.

 

The nose section.

 

The other end of the fuselage housing the engine (the square aperture) and the propeller (the circular aperture).

 

Port side of the fuselage.  Note the hinges.

 

Starboard of the fuselage.

 

The very long wing.  I estimate the wingspan at 7 to 8 meters.