Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) has confirmed it is partnering with U.S. defense company Kratos to develop a low-cost cruise missile program based on the MQM-178 Firejet target drone.
The project, described as a joint development rather than a commissioned military program, is aimed at both domestic demonstration and potential foreign sales.
NCSIST said the new system, called the Chingfeng IV, will make its public debut at the Taipei Aerospace and Defense Technology Exhibition in September, where both companies will jointly present the drone.
In a statement, NCSIST clarified: “Chingfeng IV is a collaborative effort between our institute and Kratos. It is not a commissioned program from any service branch. Due to confidentiality agreements with Kratos, performance details cannot be disclosed at this time. Further information will be released during the Taipei exhibition.”
The Chingfeng IV is understood to be an adaptation of the MQM-178 Firejet, modified into a strike-capable unmanned aerial vehicle. Reports suggest the attack version could achieve a range of up to 1,000 kilometers, giving Taiwan a potential option for long-range precision strike.
While the system has not been formally requested by Taiwan’s armed services, NCSIST sees value in pursuing the project independently, citing the platform’s affordability and export prospects.
Kratos, a U.S.-based defense technology firm, has already developed modifications to the MQM-178 through work with Shield AI, converting the platform into an autonomous unmanned system with AI-driven formation flight and tactical maneuvering. The Firejet itself has been used extensively as an aerial target for testing weapons systems across multiple services.
According to Kratos, the MQM-178 Firejet is a versatile aerial target with a carbon-fiber composite construction and modular design capable of supporting multiple payloads. The system can perform a wide range of training roles, from surface-to-air to air-to-air weapons release.
The Firejet’s performance envelope includes speeds of Mach 0.69, a service ceiling of 35,000 feet, and low-level flight capability down to 20 feet above ground level. It can perform g-turns from -2g to 9g, providing highly realistic profiles for weapons testing. Payload capacity includes 70 pounds internally, plus wingtip and wing station mounting options for additional loads.
These characteristics provide a flexible base platform for conversion into an attack-capable drone. By leveraging its modular design and payload options, NCSIST and Kratos appear to be reconfiguring the Firejet from a training role into a low-cost strike system that could deliver precision munitions at long range.
The collaboration underscores Taiwan’s growing focus on unmanned systems to expand deterrence and strengthen its defense industrial base. At the same time, Kratos’ involvement signals interest in broader international cooperation and export opportunities in the unmanned strike domain.