Wan Chien

The Wan Chien (Chinese: 萬劍; lit. 'ten thousand swords'; Tâi-lô: bān-kiàm) is an air to ground cruise missile developed and produced by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) of Taiwan.[2][3][4][5]

Wan Chien
IDF with Wan Chien
TypeAir-launched cruise missile
Air-to-ground missile
Place of originTaiwan
Service history
In service2011 – present
Used byRepublic of China Air Force
Production history
ManufacturerNational Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology
Specifications
Mass650 kg (1,433 lb)
Length350 cm (138 in)
Diameter610 mm (24 in)
Wingspan1,500 mm (59 in)
Warhead350kg of submunitions
EngineTurbofan
Operational
range
240 km (130 nmi)
400 km (220 nmi) (Upgraded version)[1]
Maximum speed subsonic
Guidance
system
GPS and inertial guidance

Design and development

It partly resembles the AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon and the Storm Shadow. Serial production was expected to start in 2015.[2][6] Full operational capability was declared in 2018. It is functional in both a ground strike role and a naval strike role.[7] The codename for the development and initial production of the Wan Chien was "Project God’s Axe" (神斧).[8]

After the completion of initial production NCSIST began working on a long range variant with a 400km range.[8]

Service history

The Wan Chien entered service in 2011. The primary launch platform is the AIDC F-CK-1 C/D.[9]

In 2022 annual production was approximately 50 missiles a year. Production was expected to end in 2024 but in 2023 funds were allocated to extend production of the improved version through 2028. [10]

General characteristics
  • Platform: Aircraft launched
  • Engine: Turbine[11]
  • Range: 200 km,[2] 240 km[9]
  • Guidance: GPS enabled[11]

See also
  • Hsiung Feng II – Taiwanese anti-ship missile
  • AGM-158 JASSM – American low observable air-launched cruise missile
  • Storm Shadow – British/French air-launched cruise missile
  • Hatf-VIII (Ra'ad) – Air-launched cruise missile

References
  1. "Taiwan Air Force test-fires domestic cruise missile | Taiwan News | 2020-11-13 11:55:00". 13 November 2020.
  2. Diplomat, J. Michael Cole, The. "Taiwan Unveils 'Wan Chien' Air-To-Ground Cruise Missile". The Diplomat. Retrieved 2017-03-16.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. News, Taiwan. "Taiwan's 'Wan Chien' missile likely to be deployed 2014 | Taiwan News". Retrieved 2017-03-16. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  4. Raska, Michael (9 March 2017). "How China Plans to Win the Next Great Big War In Asia". The National Interest. Retrieved 2017-03-16.
  5. "我遙攻武器 萬劍彈曝光 – 焦點 – 自由時報電子報". Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  6. "Taiwan Unveils "Wan Chien" Air-to-Ground Standoff Weapon". Defense Update. 20 January 2014. Retrieved 2014-01-22.
  7. Panda, Ankit. "Report: Taiwanese Air Force's New Stand-Off Cruise Missile Is Operational". thediplomat.com. The Diplomat. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  8. Chen, Kelvin (13 November 2020). "Taiwan Air Force test-fires domestic cruise missile". www.taiwannews.com.tw. Taiwan News. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  9. "Wan Chien". csis.org. CSIS. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  10. Strong, Matthew (2 September 2023). "Taiwan Air Force orders extra Wan Chien missiles". taiwannews.com.tw. Taiwan News. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  11. "Upgraded IDF jets to boost Taiwan's air defense | Politics | FOCUS TAIWAN – CNA ENGLISH NEWS". Retrieved 2017-03-16.
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