Taishi W.9

The Taishi W.9 is an single-engine tactical  (UAV) built by the Taishi Aircraft Corporation. The Taishi W.9 is primarily used for reconnaissance, developed for the Imperial Kodeshi Army. The W.9 is designed for tactical, and forward observation roles. It is designed to provide reconnaissance, situational awareness, aerial fire support and precision targeting support for ground forces. It is capable of carrying a multispectral surveillance payload and/or up to two.

Design and development
The Taishi W.9 is the result of a continued Imperial Kodeshi Army search for an effective battlefield UAS. Imperial Kodeshi Army requirements specified a UAS that used an aviation petrol engine, could carry an electro-optic/infrared imaging sensor turret, and had a minimum range of 100 kilometers (62 miles) with five-hour, on-station endurance. The Taishi W.9 offered at least twice that range and endurance. The specifications also dictated that UAS would be able to land in an area of around 85 meters (279 ft).

Design
The Taishi W.9 unmanned aircraft system is of a high-wing, constant chord pusher configuration with a twin-tailboom empennage and twin canted tails. The aircraft is powered by a 75 kW (101 hp) SKMCO SK-900A air-cooled horizontally-opposed engine, designed and manufactured by SKMCO. Onboard electrical systems are powered by a CAIC 28 volt, direct current, 2 kW generator. The aircraft has fixed tricycle landing gear.

Currently, the primary load of the aircraft is the Plug-in Optical Payload which consists of a forward-looking infrared camera, a daytime TV camera with a selectable near-infrared filter and a laser pointer. The W.9 can navigate using an internal GPS navigation device, and either a pre-programmed flight profile (in which case the system is fully autonomous from takeoff to landing), manual override from a ground control station, or a combination of both. It can autonomously return to base and land in case of lost communication with the ground station. The system has fully automatic launch and recovery (ALR) and all-weather capabilities.

The payload sensors communicate with the ground control station in real time, using either direct line of sight data link, or via an airborne/satellite relay. Like the navigation system, the payload can also be used in either a fully pre-programmed autonomous mode, or manual real-time remote operation, or a combination of both. Landings are guided by a tactical automatic landing system, which consists of a ground-based micro-millimeter wavelength radar and a transponder carried on the aircraft. Once on the ground, a tail hook mounted on the aircraft catches an arresting wire connected to two disk brake drums which can stop the aircraft in less than 52 meters (170 feet).

Kodeshia
Kodeshi Taishi W.9 UAVs have seen service on the heavily militarised disputed border between Kodeshia and Selengeria. At least five Taishi W.9 drones have been lost during the tensions along Kodeshi–Selengerian Demilitarized Zone, two were shot down by Selengerian forces, two lost to technical difficulties and one by a operator error. The most notable incident involved a force of approximately five Taishi W.9 was dispatched on the morning of the 6th of April, led by Major Guo of the Imperial Kodeshi Army. They were engaged by the forces of the Selengerian government, and one of them, was damaged and made an emergency landing in Selengerian side of the border. This UAV was captured and displayed as a war trophy for a while before being returned to Kodeshia. After this incident, a number of technical and operational changes were made to the type to ensure that their reconnaissance and intelligence gathering, as their offensive capabilities would be improved. This led to the development of the more advanced armed W.9QZG variant from the earlier W.9QZ unarmed reconnaissance model.

Future and potential operators
In 2003, the Royal Theykan Army showed interest in acquiring Taishi W.9 with Kodeshia offering it in the tender put forward by Theyka for a combat UAV, 4 systems bought in later that year.

Prototype Models

 * Taishi W.9YM
 * F = 原型; Yuánxíng ("Prototype"), M = 模型; Móxíng ("Model")
 * Prototype version, two built.

Production Models

 * Taishi W.9QZ
 * Q = 轻型; Qīngxíng ("Light"), Z = 侦察; Zhēnchá ("Reconnaissance")
 * Initial production variant. The light reconnaissance and variant for the Kodeshi Imperial Kodeshi Army. Initial delivery were made in 2002. A total of 15 were built.


 * Taishi W.9QZG
 * Q = 轻型; Qīngxíng ("Light"), Z = 侦察; Zhēnchá ("Reconnaissance"), G = 搜救; Gōngjí ("Attack")
 * Improved Current production variant with updated avionics, datalinks, and countermeasures, and strike and combat abilities. Operates as a reconnaissance and light attack tactical combat drone for the Imperial Kodeshi Army, 25 built.

Operators
 Kodeshia  Theyka
 * Imperial Kodeshi Army: has operated W.9s since 2002. The IKA has 12 W.9QZ and 23 W.9QZ in service.
 * Ngāti Tūmatauenga: the Ngāti Tūmatauenga fields 4 systems bought in 2003, as a reconnaissance and strike platform. The system was the pioneer of UCAVs for the Theykan Armed Forces, and its performance led to further investment in Combat UAVs.