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56-621: Research into what became the Sky Bow project began after the United States ended bilateral relations with the Republic of China in 1979. Other names proposed by engineer Chen Chuan-hao for the project included Sky Horse (Pegasus) and Flying Horse. Upon formal approval of the project in October 1980, it became known as Sky Bow. The development of the Sky Bow 1 (Tien Kung 1) missile system was started in 1981 by

112-530: A semi-active radar homing seeker. A passive infrared homing terminal seeker was also developed as a secondary seeker for the TK-1, this was successfully tested against a HAWK missile target but was never put into production. CSIST also developed a large multifunction, phased-array radar known as Chang Bai (long white) for use with the Tien Kung (Sky Bow) series surface-to-air missile systems with 120 degree coverage and

168-528: A surface-to-surface missile ; unconfirmed reports suggest that this missile is known as Tien Chi . Modifications have been developed for Sky Bow 2, changing it into a single-stage rocket and to provide it with a limited capability against shorter-range ballistic missiles; the first test firing against a ballistic missile target was reported in September 2008. Seven batteries were in service in 2006. In 2010 TK-1/2 SAMs were in service and deployed throughout Taiwan, on

224-499: A 1m target is reported to be around 400 km. There was also a mobile version of the phased array radar developed in the late 1990s which could provide all-round radar cover with four separate faces but with a much decreased detection range. This version only appeared in public once but was never put into service. The development of Sky Bow 2 started around 1986, this added a tandem boost motor and an active radar homing terminal seeker. Proposals were reported to develop Sky Bow 2 into

280-548: A NT$ 70 million (US$ 2.22 million) contract to build one prototype "Radar Vehicle for Field Operation and Air Defense." In 2015 police in Taoyuan took into custody three workers and one manager from MiTAC on charges of forgery of data and fabrication of test results. The tender required the vehicle to be able to advance at 8 km/h up a 40 degree incline, the vehicle MiTAC delivered could only advance at 6 km/h. In addition three NCSIST staff were detained on suspicion of colluding with

336-622: A drawdown in international support and exclusion from international forums. The Republic of China would need to build its own set of hardware, instruments, laboratories, and test sites if it was to secure its independence and security. Preparation for the NCSIST began in 1965, ground was broken on the Shinshin Campus in 1966, and the institute was formally inaugurated in 1969. Early work includes various missile and radar systems, as well as systems integration for ROC military aircraft and ships. The NCSIST

392-467: A horizontal maximum range of up to 500 km. According to the Taipei Times retired president of NCSIST Kung Chia-cheng claimed that two variants were developed, one with a range of 600km and the other with a 1000km+ range. Sky Bow III ( TK-3 ) ( 天弓三 , Tien Kung III ) is the third generation of the missile system. Taiwan had initially sought and even proposed a joint development effort to co-produced

448-452: A maximum altitude of almost 270 km and splashed 142 km down range around 8 minutes after launch into the Pacific. The science mission payload was in the 220 pounds (100 kg) weight class and the rocket reached a burnout velocity of 2,000 m/s. According to the report from Taiwan Defense Review, depending on its payload and launch parameters, the rocket can be converted to attain

504-530: A maximum range of 450 km. Two versions of the phased array radar exist, a towed trailer radar and fixed "hardened" radar sites. The Chang Bai radar system is reported to be based on the Lockheed Martin's ADAR-HP (Air Defense Array Radar-High Power) design and operates in the 2–4 GHz range (S-band). At least seven systems were said to be in service in 2006. The system performance specifications remain classified, but its effective detection range against

560-421: A missile defense interceptor with the U.S. Taiwan officials asked for U.S. technical support for Taiwan's indigenous anti-tactical ballistic missile (ATBM) effort, including the transfer of Hit-to-Kill (HTK) technologies, specifically those related to an active radar Ka-band seeker and precision attitude control. CSIST was reported to had sought the release of the associated traveling-wave tube (TWT) transmitter of

616-559: A new BMD missile, dubbed Strong Bow, with a maximum interception altitude of 70km was completed. While often reported as an extended range variant of the TK-3, the Strong Bow is a distinct missile. Differences from the TK-3 include the fuselage, nosecone, and propulsion system. It also has a domestically produced microwave power amplifier and a K a band seeker. A longer ranged variant of the Strong Bow I with an intercept altitude of 100km or more

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672-539: A new short range anti-ship missile from the Glorious Star which while weighting significantly less than the Hsiung Feng II is said to have the same range. In March 2020 NCSIST conducted live fire daytime and nighttime artillery and UAV detection tests which were observed by a People's Liberation Army Navy Hsiang Yang Hung-class survey vessel. In April 2020 Chang Chung-Cheng (張忠誠) replaced Gao Chung-Hsing (杲中興) as

728-582: A nuclear weapons program began under the auspices of the Institute of Nuclear Energy Research (INER) of CSIST. After the International Atomic Energy Agency found evidence of the ROC's efforts to produce weapons-grade plutonium, Taipei agreed in September 1976 under U.S. pressure to dismantle its nuclear weapons program. Though the nuclear reactor was soon shut down and the plutonium mostly returned to

784-559: A number of restrictions for employees who were now no longer members of the military. Due to the end of the US Navy's support of the SM-1 missile system NCSIST has taken over support for the system including production of replacement rocket motors. The same approach was taken for the SM-1's Mark 13 missile launcher . In 2016 NCSIST was awarded a $ 16.7m contract to carry out a life extension program for

840-555: A priority. In May 2021 the Taiwanese navy ordered a new series of shore based medium-to-long range maritime surveillance radars from NCSIST. In August 2021 it was announced that an extended range version of the TC-2 had been ordered by the Air Force with 250-300 ordered from NCSIST at a unit cost of NT$ 30 million (US$ 1.07 million). In September 2021 a delegation of Taiwanese legislators paid

896-630: A rectangular planar array radar of approximately similar size. However, it does not appear to have any identifiable missile guidance sub-array like those found below the main array on the AN/MPQ-65 system and it is therefore not clear if this new radar can provide target guidance illumination function in support of TK-1 SARH missiles. However, this should not present any problem for the new radar to be utilized on both TK-2 missile (X-Band) and TK-3 missile (Ku-Band) active radar seekers, as these missile systems do not require target illumination. The new radar enhances

952-485: A reported maximum range of 222km and a ceiling of 30,480m. The CS/MPG-25 is a continuous wave disk antenna illuminator radar that was indigenously developed by CSIST, and was derived from the I-HAWK AN/MPQ-46 High-Power Illuminator (HPI) radar but is estimated to be 60 percent more powerful in output with improved EW , ECM , and IFF capabilities. It is tied into the main phased-array radar on

1008-708: A ship-based variant of the Sky Bow III BMD interceptor. According to NCSIST, the test was conducted from a land-based launcher and "was successful and the data was satisfactory". The ship-based version has a folding tail to fit in Mark 41 vertical launch systems and is planned to be deployed on the ROCN's next-generation general-purpose frigates and air defense destroyers as well as possibly retrofitted onto existing vessels. The TK-3 has seen interest from foreign buyers but as of November 2019 none were confirmed. In 2023 development work on

1064-400: A terminal semi-active radar seeker allows the TK-1 missile to fly an energy-efficient flight path to the vicinity of the target where the seeker's semi-active radar would then receive target illumination for the final seconds of the engagement, giving the target minimum amount of time either to evade or commence electronic countermeasure (ECM). Two versions of the missile launcher exist, one

1120-476: A time-share basis similar to that employ by the US Navy's AEGIS air defence system, allowing the TK-1 surface-to-air missile system multiple target engagement capability. The Sky Bow II ( TK-2 ) ( 天弓二 , Tien Kung II ) is a SAM system also developed by the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology. Originally a TK-1 with a first-stage booster, the system became a slightly-enlarged modified version of

1176-460: A visit to NCSIST after approving a NT$ 240 billion (US$ 8.63 billion) special budget for domestic weapons procurement. In 2022 SIPRI placed NCSIST on the list of the 100 largest arms manufactures in the world, ranking 60th with a 2022 operating income of two billion USD and a projected 2023 operating income of four billion USD. The institute developed nuclear weapons during the Cold War . In 1967,

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1232-470: Is designed primarily to target low and medium altitude attacks. Each TK-1 battery has one Change Bai 1 (Long White 1) S-Band phased-array radar for search and target tracking and two CS/MPG-25 target illuminator radars that operates in the X-Band (18–32 GHz) range for the terminal phase, servicing three or four 4-round missile launchers. The combination of inertial/autopilot and mid-course command guidance with

1288-506: Is expected to generate 16,400 lbf (73 kN). In 2021 NCSIST stated that work on both parts of the project had progressed ahead of schedule and would be completed by 2024. In 2017 NCIST exhibited again at International Defence Exhibition in Abu Dhabi after a twelve-year absence. They exhibited 39 items. In the mid-2010s NCSIST partnered with AIDC and the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) to create an advanced jet trainer based on

1344-591: Is housed in underground shelters designed to survive an intensive attack. The other is a towed mobile version, and is an integral part of Taiwan's dense air defense network . In addition to bases on Taiwan proper, the TK-1 has also been deployed by the ROC Army on the outlying islands of Penghu and Dong Ying, bringing all of the Taiwan Strait and parts of the PRC 's Fujian , Zhejiang and Guangdong Provinces within range. It

1400-543: Is in development. National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology ( NCSIST ; Chinese : 國家中山科學研究院 ; pinyin : Guójiā Zhōngshān Kēxué Yánjiùyuàn ) is a Taiwanese state owned corporation , formerly part of the Ministry of National Defense 's Armaments Bureau , which is active in the development, manufacturing, support, and sustainment of various weapons systems and dual use technologies. NCSIST

1456-559: Is to be completed by 2026. Previously, the United States had given Taiwan the options of upgrading the Hawk, buying the NASAMS system, and/or buying the THAAD missile system to replace their Hawks. The Ministry of National Defense ultimately decided to pursue the development of indigenous weapons to meet the need. In 2019 Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen ordered the NCSIST to accelerate mass production of

1512-539: The Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation , NCSIST it is considered to be one of the two Taiwanese prime defense contractors. It is one of the 100 largest defense companies in the world. Prior to the establishment of NCSIST, Taiwan had a poorly organized national defense industrial program, but the nation was faced with an increasing military threat from the People's Republic of China and

1568-578: The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (then CSIST). But it was not until 1984 that Taiwan gained the cooperation of Raytheon and was allowed to examine semi-obsolete missiles in detail. CSIST experts traveled to the United States studied the technology, but they were not allowed to ask any questions and quickly came to the conclusion that many of the missiles they had been allowed to examine were old and had been damaged while in storage. Firing trials started in 1986, using

1624-612: The Pescadores , and Dong Ying island . The Sky Bow I ( TK-1 ) ( 天弓一 , Tien Kung I ) is a surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed by the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology (CSIST) in Taiwan. Originally based on the aerodynamics of the MIM-23 Hawk missile, the original missile design resembled a scaled-up Raytheon AIM-54 Phoenix . The TK-1 missile was subsequently redesigned and eventually became very similar in appearance to

1680-620: The Republic of China Air Force 's stocks of MICA and Magic 2 air-to-air missiles. These two missiles arm the ROCAF's Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft. In 2017 NCSIST announced the commencement of "Project Vega" (織女星計畫) with the goal of producing an advanced domestic fighter as a successor to the F-CK-1. Development was to be split into two parts, the overall design and the engine production, with production to start in 2027. The engine has been dubbed F125XX and

1736-516: The F-CK-1. AIDC is the prime contractor on the project with NCSIST taking a supporting role. Originally designated the XT-5 Blue Magpie but ruled out as the T-5 Brave Eagle the aircraft is based on the two-seat version of the F-CK-1 but with non-afterburning engines, greater fuel capacity, more stable wing profile, and the removal of the internal gun. The first of four prototypes, designated A1,

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1792-496: The Ka-band active radar seeker technology. However, U.S. refusal of the export release of a complete Ka-band active radar seeker without tamper protection or to provide the TWT on a stand-alone basis forced CSIST to use a different active radar seeker technology with a little European content. The TK-3 (formerly known as TK-2 ATBM ) was conceived as a lower-tier missile defense system based on

1848-560: The Kun Wu. The ROC had obtained the 9M14 Malyutkas from South Vietnam . Due to the dated design and low priority placed on anti-tank weapons by the armed forces it was not widely adopted. By the mid-1970s the Institute employed about 2,000 professionals. In the late 1970s the Institute embarked on a project to create a short-range ballistic missile prototype known as the Ching Feng. The project

1904-581: The MiTAC employees to fabricate the test results, these staff then presented the fabricated results to their superiors for approval. The Taoyuan District Prosecutors' Office began investigating after receiving a tip. In 2014 NCSIST was made an administrative corporation by the government, ending its period of secrecy and opening up the opportunity to partner with foreign corporations and export equipment internationally. The new corporate Board of Directors had their first meeting on April 18, 2014. The transition removed

1960-477: The Sky Bow I (TK-1) missile using an X-Band active-radar seeker, with a longer range and limited anti-missile capability. The TK-2 active radar seeker operates in the 28–32 GHz frequency range and provides reasonably good performance against air-breathing targets of typical aircraft size. The X-Band active radar seeker used on the TK-2 SAM system was developed from licensed radar technology that CSIST purchased from

2016-481: The TK-2 missile that uses an imported Ku-Band (12–18 GHz) active radar seeker, a directed fragmentation warhead, and improved precision controls for engaging high-speed, low radar cross-section (RCS) targets such as tactical ballistic missiles. It is designed with greater mobility in mind than the original TK-1/2 systems, with an integrated battle management system, and uses an upgraded Chang Bai phased array radar or with

2072-486: The TK-3 in response to increasing Chinese military power and bellicosity. In response to President Tsai’s request NCSIST completed their quota for TK-3 missile production ahead of schedule in 2021. In 2023 the Taiwanese MOD announced plans to build twelve new bases to host TK-3 batteries, six expected to complete before the end of 2025 and six more expected to complete before the end of 2026. In late 2016, NCSIST launched

2128-613: The Taiwanese military. The military side of the contract will be handled by the Navy with a deadline for delivery in late 2023. In 2021 the Taiwanese army ordered 50 drone helicopters from NCSIST for delivery by the first quarter 2022. In 2021 NCSIST deputy director Leng Chin-hsu told the Taiwanese Parliament that NCSIST had three previously undisclosed long range missiles in development. Defense minister Chiu Kuo-cheng added that work by NCSIST on such weapons had never stopped and remained

2184-514: The Tien Kung 3 SAM commenced in 2014 with an initial production run of 12 batteries. With the retirement of the HAWK batteries and the Sky Bow II becoming more obsolete, another twelve batteries of Sky Bow IIIs were ordered to replace these older systems. Conversion of six older batteries to Sky Bow IIIs began in 2022 and is to be completed by 2025. Work on the remaining six batteries began in early 2023 and

2240-540: The U.S. in the 1980s. The system uses the improved Change Bai 2 (Long White 2) multifunction radar which entered service in the late 1990s. The first public test of the TK-2, codenamed Magic Arrow 43, occurred on May 10, 2002 during the Han kuang 18 exercise . The TK-2 also has the added benefit of being able to use the same box launcher as the TK-1. Internal components were replaced with miniaturized parts to take advantage of modern electronics technologies, yielding extra room within

2296-684: The U.S., a secret program was revealed when Colonel Chang Hsien-yi , deputy director of nuclear research at INER, defected to the U.S. in December 1987 and produced a cache of incriminating documents. At present there is no claim that any nuclear weapons program is being pursued. The institute is divided into six research divisions and five centers. Research divisions pursue both project oriented and basic scientific research. NCSIST facilities are located in Taoyuan (four facilities), New Taipei City , Taichung City , Kaohsiung , and Pingtung County . In 2022

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2352-635: The US Patriot missile after the US government allowed Raytheon to transfer 85 percent of the MIM-104 Patriot missile technology. There is no track-via-missile (TVM) homing capability as this technology was not included in the technology package licensed to Taiwan; the TK-1 system operates in a similar manner to the US Standard SM2 missile, requiring an illuminating radar during the terminal phase. The TK-1

2408-719: The long-range Yun Feng supersonic cruise missile began in 2019. In 2019 NCSIST opened Taiwan's first national unmanned aerial vehicle test site in Miaoli County . The test site is managed in partnership by NCSIST, the Miaoli County government, and the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (Taiwan) . The site features a 20m runway and is rated for testing UAVs up to 150 kg in weight. They also entered into an agreement with Asustek Computer Inc to collaborate on cloud-based storage, artificial intelligence , and Internet of Things technology. In November 2019 NCSIST tested

2464-589: The missile for more fuel and a more powerful main rocket motor. The TK-2 possesses only modest capabilities against ballistic missiles but is highly effective against aircraft. The TK-2 has been modified into the Sky Spear short-range ballistic missile. The TK-2 has also been modified for use as a sounding rocket to perform upper atmospheric research for the civilian space program . The sounding rocket test vehicle launched on December 24, 2003, measures 7.7m in overall length and 1,680 kg in launch weight. It reached

2520-565: The new mobile phased-array radar that is reportedly called the Mobile 3-Dimensional (3D) Air Defense Fire Control Phased Array Radar (Mobile 3D ADFCPAR). The new mobile radar reportedly called Chang-Shan ("Long Mountain") radar system, like the Patriot's Raytheon AN/MPQ-65 radar system, is reported to operate on the C-Band (4–8 GHz) frequency range, and like the AN/MPQ-65 system, it is trailer-mounted with

2576-530: The president of NCSIST. Gao had courted controversy by deliberately misinterpreting The Classified National Security Information Protection Act. Chang Chung-Cheng is a retired major general who served in the Combined Logistics Command as well as the Armaments Bureau. In July 2020 NCSIST was awarded a NT$ 4.8 billion (US$ 163 million) contract to produce 516 sets of secure high frequency radios for

2632-571: The purpose of the vessel is to shorten the research and development process for naval weapon systems. In 2019 Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen ordered the NCSIST to accelerate mass production of the TK-3 and HF-3 in response to increasing Chinese military power and bellicosity. In addition to stepping up missile production the President also ordered NCSIST leadership to focus building up their talent pool and increase partnerships with academia, industry and government at home and abroad. Mass production of

2688-475: The survivability and operational flexibility of the TK2/3 missile systems by allowing a TK surface-air-missile battery to be deployed rapidly to a previously unprepared site. The TK-3 incorporates advanced ceramics and carbon fiber in its construction. The missile's nose cone can resist temperatures in excess of 1,000 °C. The TK-3 is capable of both midcourse and terminal defense against ballistic missiles. Production of

2744-518: The transition from an authoritarian to a democratic system. The Institute responded to these challenges by widening the scope of its R&D programs and implementing a system of vertical integration . In the late 1990s NCSIST developed a space launch platform based on their ballistic missile technology but this program was put on hold under a combination of US pressure and a promise to subsidize Taiwanese satellite launches using commercial American companies such as SpaceX . In 2011 NCSIST awarded MiTAC

2800-534: Was also abandoned in 1981 under US pressure although interest in the type was revived in the 1990s after the Third Taiwan Strait Crisis . In the 1980s the Institute worked with Honeywell to design a distributed open architecture combat system to replace the obsolete MK 37 Gun Fire Control System aboard Taiwan's Gearing-class destroyers . This system, called the Modular Combat System (MCS),

2856-485: Was also, and remains, active in military construction. After the United States switched diplomatic recognition from the Republic of China to the People's Republic of China the Institute became even more important as Taiwanese authorities felt they could no longer view the United States as a reliable defense partner. In the 1970s, the Institute replicated and produced the 9M14 Malyutka wire-guided anti-tank guided missile as

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2912-750: Was established by the Taiwanese government to serve as a military R&D and systems integration center. In 2014 it became an administrative corporation owned by the Government of Taiwan. NCSIST is involved in product development, manufacturing, delivery, total life cycle sustainment and maintenance. NCSIST fulfills a function comparable to the American Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) but they also assume mixed roles in competing for and awarding research and development, integration and manufacturing contracts. Along with

2968-537: Was intended as a pilot project to build the necessary skills needed for a long range missile program. The Ching Feng was a single stage missile which could carry a 450 kg warhead up to 110 km. The type was displayed publicly in 1981 but production was cancelled in 1982 because of significant problems with the solid rocket motor and the guidance system. Overall the type resembled the American MGM-52 Lance . The follow on missile to, to be named Sky Horse ,

3024-504: Was reported in Jane's Missiles and Rockets, August 2006's issue, that the Tien Kung 1 surface-to-air missile (SAM) system would be retired. The TK-1 missiles would be replaced with TK-2 missile rounds and the existing TK-1 system would be upgraded with radar and training simulator to the Tien Kung II standard. The CS/MPG-25 X-band target illuminator radar entered service in the late 1980s. It has

3080-471: Was rolled out in September 2019. As of end of 2023 31 Brave Eagle ( 勇鹰 ) planes have been developed or evaluated. Total order is 66 planes. NCSIST is participating in the development of the first domestic Taiwanese AUV . In 2019 NCSIST launched an 80-ton 28m long high speed catamaran research and test vessel named the Glorious Star (光榮之星). Built in Lungteh Shipbuilding 's Yilan County shipyard

3136-400: Was the first distributed open architecture combat system in the world and featured easily upgradable COTS components. The system had challenges but did the job and was affordable with the architecture, computer, and software all being developed in Taiwan. In the 1990s Taiwan was faced with tightening restrictions on arms imports from the international community as well as instability caused by

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