The Taipei Aerospace and Defense Technology Exhibition kicked off Aug. 17 at Taipei World Trade Center, showcasing cutting-edge components and systems from more than 140 local and overseas companies at some 760 booths.
Co-organized by the government-supported Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), the 14th edition of the biennial event boasts a 16 percent increase in exhibitor numbers from 2015. The show, which is open to the public, is expected to attract more than 10,000 local and foreign visitors over its three-day run, according to the council.
Exhibitors include local heavyweights like National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, the primary R&D organization of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Ministry of National Defense, as well as major multinational firms such as Harris Corp., Honeywell International Inc., Lockheed Martin and Rockwell Collins Inc. In addition to product displays, the exhibition will feature seminars on unmanned aerial vehicle technologies as well as drone test flights.
The event’s central display area spotlights 114 technologies from the MND and related organizations. NCSIST is exhibiting the bulk of this number, presenting about 70 domestically developed aerospace and defense systems spanning such fields as advanced radar and virtual reality solutions for military training.
Among the major attractions is the institute’s medium-altitude long-range UAV, first unveiled in 2015. NCSIST is showcasing upgrades to the vehicle this year that facilitate its use in rescue missions, including a detachable pod that can rapidly deliver communication devices, food and medical supplies to remote or inaccessible areas.
Other NCSIST innovations on display include a UAV defense system and the Hsiung Feng III supersonic anti-ship missile. The former utilizes radar to detect unauthorized UAV intrusions and launch countermeasures such as specialized capture drones, while the latter, currently deployed on ROC navy vessels, is designed to fly at extremely low altitudes and penetrate targets before detonating.
According to NCSIST, the exhibition bolsters the international competitiveness of the local aerospace and defense-related industries while allowing the public to explore the results of the nation’s R&D projects. The show also provides an opportunity to attract top-level talent to Taiwan’s aerospace and defense sectors, the institute said, adding that it is operating a booth at the show offering consulting services and information on careers in related fields.
Source: Taiwan News