The Ministry of National Defense plans to develop supersonic combustion ramjet, or scramjet, technology linked to hypersonic missile systems, a solicitation notice issued by the ministry for next year’s National Defense Advanced Research Program said.
The Chungshan Insitute of Science and Technology would oversee the program to create a heat-resistant composite ceramic material and improve scramjet engine ignition and flame retention, the ministry said in a notice issued to Taiwanese universities in June.
This program — scheduled to be implemented over three years — revolves around materials and technologies underlying scramjet engine performance.
Photo: Chen Chih-cheng, Taipei Times
Hypersonic systems are superior to conventional ballistic missiles with regard to deterrence value, as their speed, altitude and maneuver-in-flight capabilities give the target little time to implement countermeasures or retaliatory strikes.
The scramjet program is evidence that the armed forces likely plan to obtain a type of long-range system capable of deterring China.
Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology adviser Su Yu-pen (蘇玉本) earlier this month said that materials science and thermal design would be crucial in the nation’s bid to develop hypersonic technology.
Taiwan has no lack of resources or expertise in other fields relevant to hypersonic weapon systems, he said.
Separately, the government has issued an airspace closure notice, as the air force is to conduct fighter exercises using live munitions over the ocean to the east of Taiwan from Aug. 27 to Sept. 12.
The air-to-air missile drills would involve F-16 jets armed with AIM-120 and AIM-9X missiles, Mirage 2000 jets armed with the MICA and R.550 Magic missiles, and AIDC-F-CK-1 jets armed with Tien Chien II missiles, a defense official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The navy is also holding large-scale weapons exercises in waters east of Taitung and Pingtung County, west of Green Island (綠島) and Orchid Island (Lanyu, 蘭嶼), and south of Orchid Island and Pingtung, government notices have said.
The drills, which likely involve the use of surface-to-air and anti-ship missiles by warships, are to be held until the end of this month, they said.
The large size and unlimited altitude of the exercises imply that a sinking exercise could be included in the drills, sources said.
Last week, the army began conducting “maintenance fire” artillery drills, replacing the live-fire component that used to be included in the annual Han Kuang military exercises.
The Eighth Army Corps and marine units are expected to begin live-fire TOW missile exercises later this month.
KEY INDUSTRY: The vice premier discussed a plan to create a non-red drone supply chain by next year, which has been allocated a budget of more than NT$7.2 billion The government has budgeted NT$44.2 billion (US$1.38 billion) to cultivate Taiwan’s uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) industry over the next five years, which would make the nation a major player in the industry’s democratic supply chain in the Asia-Pacific region, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said yesterday. Cho made the remarks during a visit to the facilities of Cub Elecparts Inc (為升電裝). Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Chen Su-yueh (陳素月) and Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Hsieh Yi-fong (謝依鳳) also participated in the trip. Cub Elecparts has transitioned from the automotive industry to the defense industry, which is the top priority among the nation’s
‘UNFRIENDLY’: Changing the nationality listing of Taiwanese residents to ‘China’ goes against EU foreign policy as well as democratic and human rights principles, MOFA said Taiwan yesterday called on Denmark to correct its designation of the nationality of Taiwanese residents as “China” or face retaliatory measures. The Danish government in 2024 changed the nationality of Taiwanese citizens on their residence permits from “Taiwan” to “China.” The decision goes against EU foreign policy and contravenes democratic and human rights principles, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) spokesman Hsiao Kuang-wei (蕭光偉) said. Denmark should present a solution acceptable to Taiwan as soon as possible and correct the erroneous designation to preserve the longstanding friendship between the two nations, Hsiao said. The issue could damage Denmark’s image and business reputation in Taiwan,
SOUTH KOREA DISPUTE: If Seoul continues to ignore its request, Taiwan would change South Korea’s designation on its arrival cards, the foreign ministry said If South Korea does not reply appropriately to a request to correct Taiwan’s name on its e-Arrival card system before March 31, the government would take corresponding measures to change how South Korea is labeled on the online Taiwan Arrival Card system, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday. South Korea’s e-Arrival card system lists Taiwan as “China (Taiwan)” in the “point of departure” and “next destination” fields. Taipei has asked Seoul to change the wording. Since March 1, South Koreans who hold government-issued Alien Resident Certificates (ARC) have been identified as from “South Korea” rather than the “Republic of Korea,” the
SUFFICIENT: The president said Taiwan has enough oil for next month, with reserves covering more than 100 days and natural gas enough for 12 to 14 days A restart plan for the Guosheng Nuclear Power Plant in New Taipei City’s Wanli District (萬里) and the Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant in Pingtung County’s Hengchun Township (恆春) would be submitted to the Nuclear Safety Commission by the end of the month, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday, reversing the government’s policy to abolish nuclear energy. On May 17 last year, Taiwan shut down its last nuclear reactor and became the first non-nuclear nation in East Asia, fulfilling the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government’s pledge of a “nuclear-free homeland.” Even without nuclear power, Taiwan can maintain a stable electricity supply until 2032,
RSS