TADTE 2025: Taiwan Marine Corps receives Mighty Hornet I loitering munition

NCSIST concluded development of the Mighty Hornet I loitering munition during May–June 2025. (Janes/Akhil Kadidal)

The Republic of China (RoC) Marine Corps is being equipped with the country's new Mighty Hornet I loitering munition, according to a National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) official.

Developed and produced by NCSIST from 2020–21 as a short-range loitering munition, the Mighty Hornet I appears visually similar in design to the AeroVironment Switchblade 300, which Taiwan has on order from the United States as part of a government-to-government deal.

Speaking to Janes during the Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition (TADTE) 2025, which was held from 18 to 20 September, the NCSIST official said the Mighty Hornet I is a domestic product. Also known internally within NCSIST as Loitering Unmanned Aircraft Type I, the Mighty Hornet I is visibly larger than the Switchblade 300.

Janes estimates that the Mighty Hornet I has a wingspan of nearly 0.7 m and a diameter of 80 mm.

“The Mighty Hornet I has been equipped with a larger-sized warhead inside [than the Switchblade 300], which gives it a bigger size than the Switchblade 300,” the official said.

The official, however, declined to comment on the size of the warhead included in the loitering munition or the number of units being supplied to the RoC Marine Corps, citing sensitivity of the information. Janes could not contact the RoC Marine Corps for comment.

The loitering munition was subject to trials in the first quarter of 2025, followed by development being concluded during May–June 2025, according to the official. Janes assesses that deliveries to the RoC Marine Corps likely began a few weeks ago.