YILAN (TVBS News) — The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science & Technology (NCSIST, 國家中山科學研究院) showcased cutting-edge unmanned surface vehicles on Tuesday (June 17), bringing together 12 domestic and international manufacturers. Officials emphasized that the demonstration aimed to collect performance data for future military and public sector applications rather than serve as a competitive evaluation.
In waters 1.2 kilometers southwest of Su'ao Port (蘇澳港) in Yilan County, three Taiwanese companies — Lungteh Shipbuilding (龍德造船公司), Thunder Tiger (雷虎科技), and Carbon-Based Technology (碳基) — demonstrated their advanced USVs under various conditions. The comprehensive trials assessed maximum speed under full load, manual and AI autonomous navigation capabilities, sea state tolerance, and the effectiveness of optical and infrared payloads.
Large screens displayed real-time image transmission and AI obstacle avoidance systems in action. All performance data were submitted to NCSIST and military officials for analysis. The demonstration highlighted Taiwan's growing capabilities in autonomous maritime technology amid regional tensions.
NCSIST President Li Shih-chiang (李世強) revealed that successful combat evaluations could trigger large-scale procurement of unmanned vessels in the next fiscal year's defense budget. He emphasized the institute's commitment to securing optimal product quality to enhance Taiwan's defense deterrence capabilities.
The showcased vessels featured distinctive capabilities tailored to Taiwan's maritime defense needs. Lungteh's Black Tide USV (黑潮) was specifically engineered to withstand the harsh conditions of the Taiwan Strait, capable of enduring 8G acceleration. Thunder Tiger's SeaShark 800 (海鯊800) impressed with its 550-kilometer operational range, while Carbon-Based's "Pioneer No.1" (碳險家1號) demonstrated versatility for both commercial applications and potential military deployment.
Attendance from domestic military officials and international observers, including representatives from the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), underscored the event's strategic significance. The demonstration reflects growing interest in unmanned maritime technology, particularly following its effective deployment in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
