TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Chien Feng IV long-range attack drone has passed integration testing in the US, paving the way for flight testing. 

US defense firm Kratos said on Thursday that the payload and mission system tests are a milestone for the program, per Liberty Times. The effort also serves as a springboard for future projects with Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology.

Kratos said the ultimate goal is to deploy a large number of systems in Taiwan to provide a cost-effective force structure with strong deterrence and rapid deployment capability. The project combines Kratos’ mature drone platform with payload technology developed by NCSIST.

By leveraging proven technologies, the development timeline from concept to operational system has been significantly shortened. This approach supports combat-ready, cost-effective tactical unmanned systems designed for “affordable mass” combat capability.

NCSIST and Kratos jointly modified the US-made MQM-178 Firejet target drone by adding a weapons section and guidance-and-control module. This resulted in the jet-powered Chien Feng IV attack drone having a range of up to 1,000 kilometers.

The drone is 3.3 meters long, with a wingspan of 1.9 meters and a maximum speed of Mach 0.69. It can reach a maximum altitude of 10,670 meters.

During the high-altitude to terminal attack phase, the drone’s speed can approach supersonic levels. It is equipped with a 30-kilogram high-performance warhead developed by NCSIST.

NCSIST added that its technical team traveled to Kratos’ Oklahoma City facility to conduct technical exchanges and finalize integration architecture and testing procedures.