Taiwan Armed Forces Gallery And Discussion Thread

jofizo · Post time 28-3-2007 05:27 PM

CHINGCHUANKANG AIR BASE, Taiwan, March 27 (AFP) Mar 27, 2007
Taiwan Tuesday unveiled an upgraded home-made fighter jet which President Chen Shui-bian said demonstrated the island's determination to defend itself against rival China.
A prototype of the sleek twin-seater fighter, an improved version of the Ching-Kuo Indigenous Defence Fighter IDF-II, scrambled for take-off at the Chingchuankang airbase in central Taiwan. Hundreds of guests and engineers from the government-owned aircraft maker Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) applauded as the fighter looped and banked to show off its maneuvering capability. "The success is not only the latest achievement of our defence industry, but it also demonstrates Taiwan's determination and efforts to defend ourselves," Chen said at the end of the new fighter's 10-minute test flight. Chen named the new jet "Hsung Ying", or Goshawk -- an indigenous bird renowned for the speed of its attacks on prey. The AIDC unveiled the prototype of an upgraded single-seated upgrade late last year. Costing the military seven billion Taiwan dollars (212.12 million US) in a project launched in 2001, the Goshawk had increased its endurance time with the installation of two additional fuel tanks, the AIDC said. The new fighter has upgraded mission computers and an advanced fire control radar system, and will be armed with four medium-range air-to-air missiles, it said, adding service entry was scheduled for 2010 if further development was successful. Despite the completion of the upgrade project, the military has yet to decide on whether to upgrade the island's existing IDF fleet. "Due to the US restrictions imposed on the original IDF design, the upgrade is limited as to the enhancement of the fighter's combat capabilities," said Chang Li-te, of the Taipei-based Defense Technology Monthly. With the aid of the United States, Taiwan produced 130 IDFs during the 1990s to replace its ageing Lockheed F-104s and Northrop F-5s. But the US has restricted Taiwan from developing offensive weapons that could be used to attack the Chinese mainland. "If the air force decided not to upgrade the IDFs, it may be forced to ground the whole fleet 10 years from now," Chang said. He said if Goshawks could be armed with "Wan Chien" (Ten Thousand Swords) cluster bombs that could be used to attack China's coastal military installations, 300 kilometres from Taiwan, they would pose a greater threat to China's military might. Taiwanese arms researchers have reportedly successfully developed "Wan Chien". Beijing has repeatedly threatened to invade Taiwan should the island declare formal independence, prompting Taipei to develop and buy advanced weaponry. But most arms exporting countries have been reluctant to sell Taiwan sophisticated weapons, to avoid irking Beijing. The United States is the major arms supplier to the island, providing it with defensive weapons in accordance with its Taiwan Relations Act. Last edited by jofizo on 7-10-2013 12:03 PM

jofizo · Post time 28-3-2007 05:28 PM

jofizo · Post time 28-3-2007 05:30 PM

HangPC2 · Post time 28-3-2007 05:32 PM

AIDC IDF Fighter 2 (Concept)

Last edited by HangPC2 on 5-10-2013 05:07 PM

jofizo · Post time 28-3-2007 05:32 PM

Primary Function: Lightweight air-defence fighter with anti-ship capability
Contractor: AIDC (Taiwan)
Crew: One pilot
Unit Cost: $24 million USD

Powerplant
Two ITEC (Garrett/AIDC) TFE1042-70 turbofans rated at 9,460 lb (84.16 kN) afterburning

Dimensions
Length: 43 ft 6 in (13.26 m)
Wingspan: 29 ft 6 in (9 m)
Height: 13 ft 3 in (4.04 m)
Weights
Normal: 20,000 lb (9072 kg)
Maximum Takeoff: 27,000 lb (12,750 kg)

Performance
Speed: 792 mph (1275 km/h)
Ceiling: 54,986 ft
Range: N/A

Armament
One 20-mm General Electric M61A1 Vulcan rotary six-barrel cannon; seven hardpoints for Sky Sword I and II AAMs; Hsiung Feng II ASMs; bombs; rockets

Service Life
First Flight: May 28, 1989 (prototype)
End of Service: N/A
Number Built: [~130 total]

Debmey · Post time 28-3-2007 11:18 PM

1275 km/h????????

why bother?

HangPC2 · Post time 29-3-2007 09:45 AM

bukan dulu AIDC IDF Fighter '' Ching-Kuo '' stop production pada tahun 1999 ingatkan IDF-II sama macam AIDC IDF Fighter 2 (Concept)

Last edited by HangPC2 on 5-10-2013 05:21 PM

alien7749 · Post time 29-3-2007 10:15 AM

Ching kuo production was stopped at 130 unit rather than 250 due US finally released the sale of F-16A/B Block 20 to Taiwan. Taiwan argument is that this F-16 is superior to Ching Kuo.

mentosonline · Post time 29-3-2007 07:50 PM

I rate this aircraft as superior to the late model F-16 A/B, equivalent to the early model F-16 C/D, and inferior to the latest models of F-16.
The problem is there is little news on the capability of the radar and missile systems this small guy uses.

Debmey · Post time 29-3-2007 10:38 PM

i think taiwan ought to just build nukes to defend itself. This is the only guarantee against any attacks from China.

Eokboy · Post time 30-3-2007 12:11 AM

Looks good, but... F-CK?!

Such a profane name chosen to defend Taiwan from PLAAF. An insult to the great PC parts manufacturers with their marketable trademarks.

Obersliutenant · Post time 30-3-2007 01:10 AM

it just comes from people who dont know english ...

Robotech · Post time 6-4-2007 04:51 PM

Now that is one good looking, sleeker aircraft I've seen in a long while.

Well, kudos for them for developing indigenous design for next batch of fighter aircraft. A pity those fighters may not be up for future overseas sale as it reserved for domestic defence of Taiwan.

HangPC2 · Post time 5-10-2013 05:20 PM

TBD XT-97 Assault Rifle

The XT97 assault rifle (Chinese : 5.56 公厘 XT97 突擊步槍 ) is a prototype multipurpose 5.56mm rifle currently under development at the 205th Armory, Ministry of Defense, Republic of China. It was first displayed in public during the 2009 Taipei Aerospace Technology Exhibition.

The weapon resembles the Belgian-made assault rifle SCAR and created with the idea of the famous MP5 sub machine gun.

This feature, together with the relocation of the charging handle above the barrel, suggests that the internal design departs significantly from the T65 assault rifle lineage. The stock is both retractable and foldable.

According to official news release, the XT97 is designed to permit quick barrel change in the field, allowing different calibers of ammunition to be fired, as the weapon is capable change the caliber to the 9x19mm NATO pistol round to a sub machine gun and the suggested 7.62mm NATO round to a heavier weapon.

Intended users of the XT97 rifle include infantry, airborne, marines, artillery, and mechanized/motorized vehicle crew.