As part of a push for the modernization of Taiwan's armed forces, the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology (CSIST) has successfully developed new hardware, which it says will feature on the "brave new battlefield" of digital weaponry in the next century.
The equipment, currently being showcased at the Taipei World Trade Center, features newly-developed products such as a tactical data terminal system (TDTS), a C4ISR (command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) system, and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
The TDTS comprises a locally-developed helmet-mounted imaging system, for use by individual soldiers, which can transmit real-time visual and audio information to military command centers from the battlefield.
"The helmet imaging system, which is comprised of two cameras covering both day and night use, will become standard equipment for soldiers in reconnaissance platoons of the army's Combined Arms Brigade," said Luke Liou (
"We expect the equipment will be deployed by 2002. But we have yet to negotiate costs with the army. To equip each soldier with the helmet imaging system will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, not to mention the additional costs of accessories, including a portable computer and a global positioning system (GPS)," Liou said.
Despite the potentially high price of the system, Liou strongly recommended its use in forward-observation missions, which are sometimes carried out by soldiers under threat of enemy fire.
The TDTS also includes a computerized battlefield management system, which would give a field commander real-time data on the deployment and movement of troops on the battlefield.
The backbone of the wireless communications is a CSIST-produced "frequency-hopping radio system" capable of transmitting data and digitized voice and video.
"With the system, a field commander can keep a close eye on combat situations. But it is not immune to intrusion by the enemy," Liou said. He declined to reveal, however, how potential enemies would be able to get into the system, but added that the equipment would be capable of rendering itself inoperable in the event of enemy capture.
Named the Chunghsiang II (中翔二號), the UAV is another piece of equipment CSIST is hoping Taiwan's armed forces will invest in.
"The army, navy and Coast Guard Command are all interested in buying the vehicle, which can provide day and night reconnaissance, battlefield surveillance and target acquisition," said Robert Liu (
"It can be very useful for the coast guard, since it can carry out reconnaissance missions night and day regardless of terrain restrictions," he said. "Only a small number are needed to cover the whole coastline of Taiwan."
"The vehicle, when fitted with high-resolution cameras, could perform aerial photography missions normally undertaken by the air force," he said.
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