Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology

The Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (中山科學研究院) is the primary research and development institution of the Republic of China Ministry of National Defense's Armaments Bureau and has been active in the development of various weapons systems and dual use technology. CSIST is also involved in developing systems for Taiwan's civilian space program.^[1] The institute is administered under the Armaments Bureau of the ROC Ministry of National Defense (MND), and is headquartered in Longtan Township, Taoyuan County, Taiwan.^[1]

History

CSIST was established by the Republic of China government in 1969 to serve as a military R&D and systems integration center^[2] Early work includes various missile and radar systems, as well as systems integration for ROC military aircraft and ships.

The institute was involved in attempts nuclear weapons programs during the Cold War. In 1967, a nuclear weapons program began under the auspices of the Institute of Nuclear Energy Research (INER) of CIST. After the International Atomic Energy Agency found evidence of the ROC's efforts to produce weapons-grade plutonium, Taipei agreed in September 1976 under U.S. pressure to dismantle its nuclear weapons program. Though the nuclear reactor was soon shut down and the plutonium mostly returned to the U.S., a secret program was revealed when Colonel Chang, Hsien-yi, deputy director of nuclear research at INER, defected to the U.S. in December 1987 and produced a cache of incriminating documents.Presently there is no claim any nuclear weapons program is being pursued.

The Institute expanded to the development of dual use technology in 1994. With the expansion of Taiwan's civilian space program, CSIST has also become involved in design of various satellite and launch systems, the latter of which have consisted primarily of scientific rockets to study the ionosphere.

Developed weapons systems

Fighter aircraft

• AIDC F-CK Indigenous Defence Fighter: Developed by division later spun off as AIDC and was a contractor also.^[3] Worked with AIDC to provide upgrades for the IDF.^[4]

Missiles

• Hsiung Feng I (HF-1): sea and ground based subsonic Anti-ship missile.^[1]
• Hsiung Feng II (HF-2): improved HF-1 with air-to-ground missile.^[1]
• Hsiung Feng IIE (HF-2E): land attack cruise missile system based on the HF-2
• Hsiung Feng III (HF-3): supersonic anti-ship missile.
• Kun Wu 1 (KW 1): clone of the 9K11 Malyutka anti-tank missile,^[5] already phased out of ROCA service.^[6]
• Kung Feng 6 (KF 6): locally developed MLRS.^[1]
• Sky Bow I (TK-1): surface-to-air missile system.^[1]
• Sky Bow II (TK-2): advanced version of TK-1 with longer range and anti-missile capability.^[1]
• Sky Bow III (TK-3): anti-ballistic missile system (partially based on Patriot-2 technology) - in development
• Sky Sword I (TC-1): IR guided air-to-air missile.^[1]
• Sky Sword II (TC-2): radar guided air-to-air missile.^[1]
• Thunderbolt-2000 (LT-2000): locally developed MLRS.^[7]

Organization

The institute is divided into six research divisions and four centers.

Research Divisions

• Aeronautical Systems
• Missile and Rocket Systems
• Information and Communications
• Chemical Systems
• Materials and Electro-Optics
• Electronic Systems

Centers

• System Development
• System Manufacturing
• Integrated Logistical Support
• Information Management

See also

• Military of the Republic of China
• National Space Organization (Taiwan ROC)
• Taiwan and weapons of mass destruction

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i} Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology. Retrieved on May 11, 2008.
2. ^ Introduction and Vision. Retrieved on May 11, 2008. (English)
3. ^ Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC). Retrieved on May 11, 2008.
4. ^ Taiwan Seeking a Better F-CK, With Possible Longer-Term Aspirations. Retrieved on May 11, 2008.
5. ^ AT-3 SAGGER Anti-Tank Guided Missile. Retrieved on May 13, 2008.
6. ^ Archived August 5, 2001 at the Wayback Machine
7. ^ Archived August 5, 2001 at the Wayback Machine

External references

• CSIST website (Chinese)