Taiwan unveiled its new unmanned surface attack vehicle (USV), the Kaui-Chi, at TADTE 2025. The vessel was developed by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST).
The USV, shown to the public for the first time, had already been tested in military exercises and spotted by local enthusiasts since February 2025.
The Kaui-Chi is designed for large-scale coastal operations, combining speed, stealth, low cost, and high attack power. During tests, the vessel demonstrated the ability to perform swarm attacks and strike enemy targets by colliding at high speed, as well as employing an innovative tactic of launching Mighty Hornet I attack drones directly from the USV itself.
The Mighty Hornet I drone, classified as loitering munition, is portable and capable of striking both stationary and moving targets beyond visual range, with image tracking and identification capabilities. It features foldable wings, is pneumatically launched, and offers around 15 minutes of flight time with a range of up to 8 km, enhancing the Kaui-Chi’s ability to conduct precise and coordinated attacks against enemy forces.
Source: Naval News | Photo: X @InsightsofWave | This content was created with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team
🇹🇼 Taiwan unveils Kaui-Chi attack USV at TADTE 2025
— Developed by NCSIST, 9m, 3t, container-transportable, 40+ knots
— Armament: 6 Mighty Hornet I loitering munitions + bow-mounted ramming warhead
— Designed for swarm coastal defense, 1,320 USVs planned#Taiwan #USV #ifkgbg pic.twitter.com/XIxyQuSvUW— InsightsofWave (@InsightsofWave) September 27, 2025
