Национальный институт науки и техники Чжуншань: развитие оборонной промышленности Тайваня

Taiwanese defense company

National Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST; ) 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 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 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. 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 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. 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 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), 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 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. 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. 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 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 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, was rolled out in September 2019. As of end of 2023 31 Brave Eagle 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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, 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 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.

Thunderbolt 2000 (LT 2000): locally developed MLRS. Kung Feng 6 (KF 6): locally developed MLRS. The Kestrel entered service with the ROCMC in 2015. The Kestrel platform is being used as a starting point for the development of an anti tank guided missile system. XTR 101/102: Automatic close defense 20mm weapon mounts. Prototypes demonstrated in September 2013. Exhibited for the first time in 2015. CS/MPQ 90 Bee Eye: short medium range multifunction AESA radar to support SHORAD batteries. Planned to have a naval role as well. Bistatic radar system Two systems entered service in 2018 with mass production to begin in 2020 if they behave favorably in the field. In 2021 a more advanced version was spotted being deployed to Penghu. AV2 Long range Chaff Rocket: Chaff rocket for ship self defense. 2.75in rocket: 2.75 inch aerial rocket for use aboard AH 64, OH 58D, F 5E/F, F 16, P 3 Orion, etc. Two variants, Mk4 and Mk66. CAPTOR mine: Designated No. 1 Wan Xiang CAPTOR Mine. CAPTOR mines contain a torpedo and a targeting system. Designated WSM II, smart mine for use in deep water. Moored mine: A remote or automatic mine designed to be moored to the bottom and float in the current.

The institute is divided into six research divisions and five centers. Research divisions pursue both project oriented and basic scientific research. In 2022 a locally designed propellant factory at the NCSIST's Jiupeng complex in Pingtung was completed. The facility allows for increased production of missiles and rockets.