Wan Chien | |
---|---|
Type |
Air-launched cruise missile Air-to-ground missile |
Place of origin | Taiwan |
Service history | |
In service | 2011 – present |
Used by | Republic of China Air Force |
Production history | |
Manufacturer | National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology |
Specifications | |
Mass | 650 kg (1,433 lb) |
Length | 350 cm (138 in) |
Diameter | 610 mm (24 in) |
Wingspan | 1,500 mm (59 in) |
Warhead | 350kg of submunitions |
Engine | Turbofan |
Operational range | 240 km (130 nmi) 400 km (220 nmi) (Upgraded version) [1] |
Maximum speed | subsonic |
Guidance system | GPS and inertial guidance |
The Wan Chien ( Chinese: 萬劍; lit. 'ten thousand swords'; Tâi-lô: bān-kiàm) is an air to ground cruise missile developed and produced by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) of Taiwan. [2] [3] [4] [5]
It partly resembles the AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon and the Storm Shadow. Serial production was expected to start in 2015. [2] [6] Full operational capability was declared in 2018. It is functional in both a ground strike role and a naval strike role. [7] The codename for the development and initial production of the Wan Chien was "Project God’s Axe" (神斧). [8]
After the completion of initial production NCSIST began working on a long range variant with a 400km range. [8]
The Wan Chien entered service in 2011. The primary launch platform is the AIDC F-CK-1 C/D. [9]
In 2022 annual production was approximately 50 missiles a year. Production was expected to end in 2024 but in 2023 funds were allocated to extend production of the improved version through 2028. [10]