Taiwan’s AIDC partners with US space tech firm to boost drone development

台灣漢翔（AIDC）與美國航太科技公司合作，加速無人機研發

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. has partnered with Vantor Technologies, a US space technology company, to integrate Vantor’s Raptor Guide into drone visual systems and expand sales, aiming to boost Taiwan’s drone sector.

At the annual Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference on Tuesday, AIDC President Tsao Chin-ping (曹進平) and Vantor CTO Will Cocos signed a cooperation agreement, per CNA.

Raptor Guide, a vision-based software suite, enables drones to navigate accurately in GPS-denied environments. By comparing real-time images with high-precision 3D maps, it can achieve positioning accuracy of less than 7 meters and enhance UAVs’ resistance to interference.

Tsao said the company will adjust the software integration based on the performance of drones. The integration will be tested in Taiwan, and the company will provide verification and technical support to help domestic drone manufacturers adopt the technology.

In November, the two companies completed flight tests of prototype drones with the software, demonstrating stable communications. The tests showed that UAVs can achieve precise positioning using optical cameras and computing modules, without costly anti-jamming antennas or radar, reducing costs and simplifying maintenance. It also meets the defense ministry’s requirements for expendable, anti-jamming UAVs.

The ministry plans to purchase about 48,750 UAVs worth roughly NT$50 billion (US$1.7 billion) between next year and 2027. All drones must be free of China-made parts, with key modules required to be domestically produced. The procurement will include first-person-view drones, bomb-dropping drones, small and medium loitering munitions, and reconnaissance UAVs.

In September, at the Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition, AIDC also signed a cooperation agreement with US-based Orbital Composites, a company specializing in robotics, 3D printing, and composite materials. The partnership will focus on developing lighter and stronger aircraft structural materials using carbon fiber 3D printing.