AIDC F-CK-1 Ching-kuoAT-3s of the Thunder Tigers demonstration team
Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC; Chinese: 漢翔航空工業股份有限公司; pinyin: Hànxiáng Hángkōng Gōngyè Gǔfèn Yǒuxiàn Gōngsī 漢翔航空工業 or 漢翔航空) is a Taiwanese aerospace company based in Taichung. It is one of only two Taiwanese companies with the capabilities of a traditional American or European defense prime contractor.[2]
History
Government ownership
AIDC was established on 1 March 1969 as the Aero Industry Development Center of the Air Force.[3] From 1969 to 1976 AIDC co-produced 118 UH-1H's for the Taiwanese Army with Bell Helicopters.[4]
In 2000, AIDC was divided into four units: the Aerostructures Division, the Engine Division, the Technology Division, and the Administration Division. In the early 2000s AIDC was contracted by Bell to produce the tailbooms for the AH-1Z and UH-1Y.[4]
In 2016 AIDC launched a project with international partner Lockheed Martin to develop an upgraded version of the F-16 called the F-16V. AIDC will share revenue from all future international sales and upgrades.[7] Upgrades to 142 of Taiwan’s F-16A/B fighters to the F-16V standard began in 2016. The first four aircraft upgrades had been completed by December 2017 and American test pilots had arrived to begin their testing and certification.[8] The first domestically upgraded fighter was delivered on October 20, 2018.[9] The project is to be completed by 2023.[10] In October 2019 it was announced that the program had been delayed by a manpower shortage at AIDC and a delay with the US based software testing program,[11] AIDC hired 200 additional employees in Taichung to bring production back to schedule.[12][13] By December 2020 18 upgrades had been completed.[14]
In 2018 AIDC signed an agreement with GE for the production of 17 parts for the LEAP engine including hot section components.[15]
In 2019 AIDC entered into 10 year agreement to supply engine parts to Industria de Turbo Propulsores of Spain, a subsidiary of Rolls-Royce plc.[16] In October 2019 Boeing cut orders to AIDC which were associated with the troubled 737 MAX program as monthly production figures were decreased.[17] In 2019 AIDC was reported to have 2,137 employees involved in confidential projects.[18]
Facilities and equipment
In 2016 AIDC completed a NTD 1.5b composite materials manufacturing plant in Taichung. The facility, called the Taiwan Advanced Composite Center, has 5,500 square meters of floorspace and primarily produces components for the Airbus A320.[19]
AIDC operates one Astra SPX aircraft as a target tug.[20]
Headquarters
AIDC’s headquarters occupies a large suburban campus in the Northwest of Taichung next to Overseas Chinese University. The campus features historical aircraft, a restaurant, and a swimming pool for the more than 3,000 onsite employees.[21]
Products
IDF F-CK-1A 1462 Outlet Nozzles and Underloaded WeaponsAIDC AT-3 - Thunder Tiger AerobaticsRepublic of China Air Force PL-1B primary trainerAIDC T-CH-1
Aircraft
AIDC F-CK-1 Ching-kuo Indigenous Defence Fighter - began as XF-6 indigenous fighter project
^Mondey, David, ed., The Complete Illustrated History of the World's Aircraft, Secaucus, New Jersey: Chartwell Books, Inc., 1978, ISBN0-89009-771-2, p. 72.
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