Sept: Taiwan's military is scheduled to showcase some of its latest domestically developed armaments and defense technology at the upcoming biennial Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Expo (TADTE), which is being held for the first time in four years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The defense ministry's Armament Bureau and its top research unit, the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), will showcase its newly made loitering munition, or "suicide drone," similar to the U.S.-made AeroVironment Switchblade 300,Â
NSCIST's Aeronautical Systems Research Division head Chi Li-pin (齊立平) previously told reporters that the miniature loitering munition has a range of 10km, can fly for 15 minutes and can fit inside a rucksack.
The device, which has a high-performance electro-optical and infrared sensor, can be carried by a single soldier and can destroy high-value high-risk vehicles as well as target personnel, Chi said, adding "it is like a large grenade capable of flying."
Meanwhile, the source said the military will also unveil the latest version of its in-development locally-made powered exoskeleton suit, which is a mechanized wearable system designed to be used in wartime or during post-disaster rescue and relief missions, during the exhibition in Taipei that is set to run froThe NCSIST previously said the 10kg lower-body exoskeleton, which is designed to boost the strength and endurance of its users, can move at 6kph.
The exoskeleton delivers the right torque at the right time to assist knee flexion and extension to reduce the energy wearers expend when crossing terrain, squatting, or kneeling, and to increase mobility and reduce fatigue
Key Companies in the military exoskeleton Industry include
- BAE Systems (UK)
- General Atomics (US)
- Lockheed Martin Corporation (US)
- Raytheon Company (US)
- Safran (France)
- Bionic Power Inc. (Canada)
- Ekso Bionics (US)
- Revision Military (US)
- SpringActive (US)
- SRI International (US)
