National Cheng Kung University joins hands with industry, academia and research institutes to develop X-Wing drones, moving towards independent research and development and non-red supply chain

The X-Wing drone soars in the sky. (Provided by Chengdu University)

Drones have become an important battlefield for the development of global science and technology and defense industries, and the autonomy of key technologies and supply chain security have also received much attention. Since 2024, National Cheng Kung University has joined hands with domestic universities, colleges and enterprises to invest in the research and development of X-Wing fixed-wing drones. From design and body manufacturing to flight control, communications and system integration, it has gradually transformed the research and development results into actual flying vehicles, and continued to break through technical bottlenecks through multiple test flights and functional verifications.

National Cheng Kung University stated that the X-Wing UAV research and development plan was initially supported by the National Science and Technology Commission for design research and technology development; starting from 2025, it will continue to advance with the support of the Armament Administration of the Ministry of National Defense, allowing the original design to gradually enter the actual machine development and testing stage.

Please read on...

This project combines Huwei University of Science and Technology, Lingdong University of Science and Technology, Tianwu Technology Company and Taiwan Hope Innovation Company to jointly invest in relevant technology research and development. Hanxiang Aviation Industry Company will assist in airframe manufacturing and system integration. Through cross-disciplinary cooperation between industry, government, academia and research, it will integrate academic research energy and industrial practical experience.

Chengdu University pointed out that the X-Wing drone has undergone multiple test flights and functional verification, but there are still technical problems that need to be overcome during the development process. The team will continue to gradually improve system performance through testing, data analysis and design adjustments, and accumulate experience in real-machine development and integration.

In line with the government's policy of promoting independent research and development of drones and non-red supply chain, X-Wing is advancing in the direction of improving domestic independent research and development and manufacturing capabilities from body structure, power, flight control, communications to system integration. National Cheng Kung University stated that the development of drones involves a number of key technologies. Through cross-school, cross-field and industrial cooperation, we can gradually accumulate experience in the application of domestic components and system integration, deepen industry-university-research cooperation, and contribute to Taiwan's establishment of independent drone research and development capabilities and improvement of supply chain resilience.

Students and engineers are preparing the X-Wing for testing on the ground. (Provided by Chengdu University)