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The Albatross, also known as the Chung Xiang II, is a medium unmanned aerial vehicle made by National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology.[1] It is in service with the Republic of China Navy.

NCSIST Albatross
NCSIST Albatross, then called the Chung Shyang II UAV, being unveiled publicly on the 2007 National Day Celebrations
Role	UAV Type of aircraft
Manufacturer	National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology
Introduction	2007
Status	In service
Primary user	Republic of China Navy
Number built	>32
Developed from	Chung Shyang I

Description

The Chung Shyang II UAV can perform surveillance, reconnaissance, target acquisition, artillery spotting and battle damage assessment sorties for the military and perform other duties such as border patrol, and aerial reconnaissance for various government agencies.[2]

The Albatross has a wingspan of 8 meters[3] and a range of more than 180km. Endurance is approximately 12 hours.[4] It carries an electro-optical payload and can operate in both day and night. In addition to its military capabilities the Albatross can also be used for civilian applications such as agriculture, fisheries, animal husbandry, disaster monitoring, environmental protection, traffic control, target searching, position recognition, coastal patrol, communications relay, and hazardous terrain survey.[5] Officials have refused to comment on whether the type can be armed.[6]

Development

CSIST unveiled a prototype of the UAV at the Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition in August, 2005. CSIST began researching UAVs in 2002, which resulted in the first Chung Shyang I UAV, then later the Chung Shyang II.[7]

Service history

In 2017 the drones were transferred from the Army Aviation and Special Forces Command to the Naval Fleet Command.[8]

In 2019 a Navy Albatross made the types first fly-over demonstration during an exercise in Pingtung.[4]

Following a 2019 crash the military ordered upgrades to be made across the entire Albatross fleet,[9] by May 2020 NCSIST had completed upgrades on 26 aircraft.[8]

Incidents

Albatross' have crashed in 2012, 2013, and 2016.[10]

On Jan. 24 2018, an Albatross crashed into the sea during a military exercise off of Taitung. Mechanical failure is suspected to be the cause of the crash.[4]

In May 2021 an Albatross was brought down in the waters off Taitung County by its control team after experiencing in-flight anomalies. The control crew made the decision not to risk civilian lives by attempting to return to the airport. This was believed to be the ninth crash of the Albatross since 2012.[11]

Operators

Operators

•  Taiwan
  • Republic of China Navy- >26[8]
•  Malaysia [12]

Former operators

•  Taiwan
  • Republic of China Army[8] 32 in service in 2014,[2] transferred to the Republic of China Navy.[8]

Albatross II

Albatross II is an improved model developed by NCSIST and GEOSAT aerospace & technology. Its range is increased to 250km with endurance, communications range, and payload also being increased. Unlike Albatross I it has a synthetic aperture radar. It is compatible with Sky Sword missiles and 2.75in rockets.[13]

Specifications

Albatross I

Data from Taiwan News[8]

General characteristics

• Length: 5.3 m (17 ft 5 in)
• Wingspan: 8.6 m (28 ft 3 in)
• Gross weight: 317 kg (699 lb)

Performance

• Range: 180 km (110 mi, 97 nmi)
• Endurance: 12 hours
• Service ceiling: 4,000 m (13,000 ft)

Albatross II

Data from Focus Taiwan[13]

General characteristics

Performance

• Range: 250 km (160 mi, 130 nmi)

See also

• NCSIST Chien Hsiang
• IAI Searcher

References

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