Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim attends AI expo, unveiling Aerospace Industrial's new drone.

Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao attended the 2026 AI Application and Smart Manufacturing Exhibition held in Taichung today (the 2nd) and specifically visited the exhibition area of Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) to gain a firsthand understanding of Taiwan's latest progress in drone research and development and smart defense. During her tour, Vice President Hsiao pointed out that AI and automation technologies have become the key to upgrading the defense industry. She stated that the government will continue to invest resources to help the industrial chain move from proof of concept to mass production, ensuring that Taiwan possesses the technological strength for self-defense within the regional security framework. She also emphasized that close cooperation among industry, government, academia, and research institutions is fundamental to enhancing research and development efficiency and reducing costs.

AIDC is one of the few domestic companies with complete aircraft manufacturing and system integration capabilities. At the exhibition, the company debuted the "Black Wing X" fixed-wing tactical drone, an independently developed prototype. According to the on-site briefing, the "Black Wing X" adopts new fuselage materials and a low-drag aerodynamic design, featuring long endurance and high-speed cruising characteristics that enable stable flight in complex terrains. More importantly, the aircraft features a built-in AI visual navigation module capable of instantly identifying targets and obstacles while automatically adjusting flight paths, thereby enhancing mission execution precision and safety.

In the context of defense technology development, Taiwan has been laying out drone technology since the 1990s, initially focusing on small reconnaissance aircraft before gradually transitioning toward tactical platforms with strike capabilities in recent years. With changes in surrounding geopolitics and increasing airspace security demands, the government has promoted the "Smart Defense" program in recent years, encouraging domestic enterprises to research and develop weapon systems equipped with artificial intelligence and automation functions. The emergence of the "Black Wing X" echoes this policy direction, demonstrating that the industry possesses the practical capability to integrate AI technology with aviation platforms, providing more diverse options for future defense deployments.

During the exhibition, AIDC also showcased multiple AI-related applications, including real-time image analysis, cloud data transmission, and multi-drone cooperative combat simulation. These technologies can not only enhance operational effectiveness but are also expected to extend into civilian fields such as disaster reconnaissance, agricultural monitoring, and environmental protection. Industry insiders noted that simultaneously developing military and civilian demands will create a technological feedback loop, further expanding the scale of the industry and enhancing Taiwan's competitiveness in the global AI and drone markets.

Vice President Hsiao's visit not only signifies the government's support for smart defense but also sends a signal of mutual promotion between industry and defense policies. If the "Black Wing X" can successfully complete testing, verification, and enter mass production in the future, it will provide Taiwan's air defense with a tactical asset featuring indigenous research and development characteristics, while also creating new business opportunities for the related supply chain. From a long-term perspective, continuing to deepen the integration of AI and aviation technology will help enhance overall defense autonomy and secure a greater voice in international military cooperation and export markets. (Source Fact: Central News Agency)