Taiwan Says Early Warning Radar Tests Underway

**xinhui** · 27 Dec 11,, 05:26

Taiwan Says Early Warning Radar Tests Underway
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Published: 10 Nov 2011 10:36
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TAIPEI - Taiwan said Nov. 10 it has started testing a billion-dollar early warning radar system, designed to give an extra six minutes' warning of any Chinese missile attack, which is nearing completion.

Deputy Defense Minister Chao Shih-chang said the installation of the state-of-the-art, long-range radar system, supplied by defense giant Raytheon, has entered its final stage.
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"The radar system has undergone initial tests lately," Chao said in response to a question in parliament.

"And the results showed that it has successfully linked to the Patriot anti-missile units and the Heng Shan military command," he said, referring to the emergency military command center in the capital Taipei.

Construction of the ultra-high-frequency radar - delayed for three years, partly due to the collapse of the road to the mountainous construction site - will be finished next year, the state Central News Agency said.

"This is the most advanced system of its kind in the world. ... It is crucial as the Chinese communists are aiming at Taiwan with more than 1,000 ballistic missiles," Chao said, adding it is also capable of detecting cruise missiles.

Critics say the system, which will cost more than 30 billion Taiwan dollars ($1 billion), is too costly given it will only provide six more minutes of warning.

Ties between Taipei and Beijing have improved markedly since Ma Ying-jeou of the China-friendly Kuomintang Party came to power in 2008, promising to boost trade links and allow more Chinese tourists to visit the island. But Beijing still sees the island as part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary.

China has repeatedly threatened to invade Taiwan should the island declare formal independence, prompting Taipei to seek more advanced weapons, largely from the United States.

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**xinhui** · 27 Dec 11,, 05:28

more hawkeyes (E-2T)

「鹰眼三号」预警机返岛　性能大幅提升

（先知新闻社台湾省高雄市2011年12月18日电）空军「鹰眼三号」性能提升项目的首批两架空中预警机，十七日顺利返抵高雄港，并在今天凌晨拖往高雄航空站，由空军四三九联队进行后续的性能测试与交接检查。四三九联队二十电战大队大队长陈上校表示，此次E-2T型提升至E-2K型，除可增进机队整体管理效能外，且能进一步满足全天候预警作战能力。
　为前瞻未来作战需求，因应重大灾害发生时能适时担负灾区空域管制任务，空军分批将E-2T空中预警机送往美国执行性能提升至E-2K构型，首批经过海运，十七日上午由长荣海运意新轮运抵高雄港七十九号码头。
　为减少造成交通阻塞问题，空军协调宪、警人员于今天凌晨拖往高雄航空站实施交接检查，确保外观、装备与性能无误后，近期将返回空军屏东基地，正式加入战备序列。
　当包着白色热缩胶膜的空中预警机出现在市区道路时，雪白的机身相当耀眼，除了一旁跟拍的军事迷外，部份民众意外迎向难得一见的惊喜，纷纷拿起相机和手机，开心的和「走」在马路上的飞机合影留念。
　二十电战大队大队长陈上校指出，性能提升至E-2K型的空中预警机，有助于提升预警反应时间，增加对地、空机载具的搜索能力。其中，四叶螺旋桨更换为八叶后，使飞机更具稳定性与可靠度，让飞行员可以在更安全、舒适的状况下飞行，尤其，搭配新型战情显视器所提供快速完整的战场情况，加速联合指管效能，可有效支援国军各类型作战任务。
　陈上校表示，该型飞机能发挥早期预警功能，将台海周边任何对台湾有危害的水面及空中目标，精准的透过电路系统情传到指挥中心，让指挥官能在第一时间掌握战场景况，扮演联合作战中重要的角色。
　四三九联队后勤科长林中校也表示，看到预警机经过海运顺利抵台，内心觉得很踏实，虽然先前规画与跨部会协调工作十分繁琐，但在相关人员通力协助下，有了很好成果，感到一切的辛苦都是值得的。
　空中预警机主要任务为早期预警、拦截管制、通信中继、联合搜救等，以争取反应时间，依令管制任务机执行各项任务，运用所搭载系统，可执行航迹管理及无线电中继任务，性能相当优异。