TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Coast Guard Administration said that it would receive all its second-generation Penguin C Mk2.5 VTOL drones by the end of June.
The CGA bought the drones for NT$221 million (US$7 million), CNA reported. US-based Edge Autonomy developed the drone, and Taiwan Color Optics assembles them locally.
According to the CGA, the drone is primarily used for maritime surveillance and three-dimensional aerial patrol, per CNA. They have an AI real-time image recognition system that allows them to autonomously and rapidly identify targets and detect anomalies even in challenging sea conditions.
The CGA added that the drone features vertical takeoff and landing capability, removing the need for runways and greatly improving deployment flexibility. It is capable of operating in wind conditions above Beaufort level 7 and has an endurance of over 10 hours.
It also has long-range command-and-control transmission up to 180 kilometers.
The CGA said each unit currently operates Capricorn drones two to four times per month to meet mission needs. The drones have a payload capacity of about 30 kilograms and are equipped with optical cameras that can observe targets 5.5 to 9.2 kilometers away.
In April, the CGA said it was looking for a second-generation drone system to expand its coastal operational range and improve rescue capabilities.
