TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – An Indigenous Defense Fighter jet fired a Hsiung Feng III missile during a test off the coast of Pingtung County, reports said Wednesday.
The air-launched version of the anti-ship missile reportedly has a reach of more than 250 kilometers and weighs less than 1,000 kilograms. The missile was developed by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology.
A single-seat IDF took off from Zhihang Air Base in Taitung Wednesday morning carrying one of the missiles under its right wing, the Liberty Times reported. The jet was reportedly also equipped with a high-speed camera also developed by the NCSIST.
The plane, accompanied by a two-seat IDF, returned to base 40 minutes later, the report said. The jet fired its missile at a floating target off the coast of Taitung.
The Hsiung Feng III used in the test looked different from previously seen versions, according to the Liberty Times report. More tests are expected before the missile is fully adopted by the Air Force.
Testing of the air-launched Hsiung Feng III started in December, per UDN. The firing of the anti-ship missile by an IDF had initially been scheduled for March, but was repeatedly postponed, possibly because of the presence of Chinese observation ships in the area.
