Drones developed by US-Taiwan collaboration unveiled

PARTNERS: The drone designs developed by the two companies could be incorporated into products for export once mass production begins, a CIRC official said

• By Wu Che-yu and Jake Chung / Staff reporter, with staff writer

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US-based AEVEX Aerospace on Friday showcased two drones developed in collaboration with Taiwanese drone maker Coretronic Intelligent Robotics (CIRC), and said it planned to expand operations in Taiwan.

The two companies are technology-transfer partners collaborating to develop products for export, CIRC president Wu Hsiu-hui (吳秀蕙) said.

The two models, named Vandal and Onyx, have been tested in Ukraine, AEVEX said.

From left, AEVEX senior vice president of growth strategy Craig Anders, AEVEX chief growth officer Murali Krishnan and Coretronic Intelligent Robotics president Wu Hsiu-hui pose for a photograph at a news conference in Taipei on Friday.

Photo: Wu Che-yu, Taipei Times

AEVEX is best known for its Phoenix Ghost one-way attack drones, which have been supplied to Ukraine and used in combat since 2022.

The drones are manufactured using 3D printing and can be produced quickly in large quantities, the company said, adding that their capabilities could attract interest from the military.

The Vandal is designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, but can also be used as a one-way attack drone. It has an operational range of 486km, an endurance of more than 3.5 hours and a payload capacity of 4.5kg.

The Onyx has an operational range of 270km and an endurance of more than 2.8 hours. It has a payload capacity of 13.6kg and can also be used as a one-way attack drone.

AEVEX’s strengths included not only its systems’ performance, but also its innovation and ability to quickly develop and manufacture products using technologies such as 3D printing, Wu said.

The partnership combines US technology with Taiwan’s manufacturing capabilities to develop autonomous systems for export, Wu said.

CIRC is more than a supplier to AEVEX, she said.

AEVEX was particularly interested in CIRC’s optical payload designs, which are developed and manufactured in-house and meet international standards, she said.

The designs could be incorporated into products for export once mass production begins, she added.

The companies have completed the technology transfer in compliance with US export-control regulations, Wu said.

CIRC’s decision to announce the partnership to the public showed that the products were ready and that the companies had clear plans to bid for Taiwanese military contracts and seek customers overseas, she said.

CIRC has delivered 3,000 drones to the government in one year to support military operations, she said.

The company’s drone production facility in Miaoli County’s Jhunan Township (竹南) is planned to produce 4,000 drones monthly, with further expansion pending future market demand, she added.