Taishi W.8

The Taishi W.8 is an small hand-launched remote-controlled tactical (SUAV) built by the Taishi Aircraft Corporation. The Taishi W.8 is primarily used for tactual reconnaissance, developed for the Imperial Kodeshi Army. It is designed to provide reconnaissance, situational awareness for ground forces.

Design and development
The Taishi W.8 is the result of a continued Imperial Kodeshi Army search for an effective man portable battlefield UAV. Imperial Kodeshi Army experience with the Taishi W.9 and other drone platforms provided the army with a much greater situational awareness and larger reconnaissance ability than it had previously posscessed but these systems still required the construction of makeshift air strips and a large contingent to operate. The Army put forward new requirements with the concept of short range day and night aerial reconnaissance and surveillance applications, system design activities started within 2003. Initial prototype Taishi W.8YM was developed in 2004, and following successful autonomous flight demonstrations, W.8 was awarded with a contract to start serial production. The developments over the aircraft is being continued.

Design
The Taishi W.8 is a hand-launched, portable UAV system, designed to operate under harsh geographic and meteorological conditions. It has a high-wing, constant chord pusher configuration with a twin-tailboom empennage and twin canted tails. The aircraft is powered by a 0.75 kW (1.01 hp) Jiangguo Electronics JE-750W electric motor. Onboard electrical systems are powered by a CAIC 28 volt, direct current, generator.

Kodeshia
Kodeshi Taishi W.8 UAVs have seen service with small army units, and has recorded more than 40,000 flight hours. Reportedly used in used in counterterrorism operations.

Prototype Models

 * Taishi W.8YM
 * F = 原型; Yuánxíng ("Prototype"), M = 模型; Móxíng ("Model")
 * Prototype version, two built.

Production Models

 * Taishi W.8QZ
 * 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 400 were built.

Operators
 Kodeshia
 * Imperial Kodeshi Army: has operated W.8s since 2006. The IKA has around 400 W.8QZ in service.