Reports state that Taiwan’s Air Force conducted a missile launch around 4 AM today. The missile successfully flew for over an hour. Currently, the “Hsiung Feng IIE” (now called “Hsiung Sheng”) and “Yun Feng” (now called “Ching Sheng”) ground attack missiles are equipped in the Taiwan Air Force’s “Air Defense and Missile Command” (abbreviated as “ADM Command”). Previously, it was confirmed that the “Hsiung Feng IIE” missile brigade is subordinate to the 791 Brigade of the “ADM Command.”
Additionally, under the “Special Budget for Strengthening Naval and Air Combat Capability,” a long-range cruise missile codenamed “Hsiung Falcon” is under development. This missile is expected to extend the range of the basic “Hsiung Feng IIE” from 600 kilometers to around 1,000 kilometers.
This test launch marked the first public reveal of the “Hsiung Feng IIE” launch scene since its development. Although the footage obtained in the early morning is not very clear, one can distinctly see the tail flame of the booster and the action of the booster separation during the launch. The start-up action of the missile’s main engine is not evident. Based on the images, it’s clear that the missile typically uses a solid rocket booster for launch. Once the missile reaches the desired altitude and speed, the booster is discarded and the cruise turbofan engine is activated (if the missile has foldable wings, they are then deployed). This is characteristic of a subsonic cruise missile, although the report mistakenly labeled it as a “supersonic cruise missile.”
The report also mentioned that after the missile test was concluded, a target drone took off from the “Jiupeng Base” in the early morning. It then deployed a parachute and landed in the sea. No concurrent firing action from Taiwan’s Air Force IDF fighter jets was observed. However, sources still informed “United Daily News” that the drone had been “hit” before falling into the sea. No further details have been provided since.