Taiwan Army Replaces OH-58D Helicopters with Drones

Taiwan’s Army is preparing to establish dedicated JUMP 20 unmanned aerial vehicle units within its aviation brigades as part of a force restructuring plan that would gradually replace the long-serving OH-58D Kiowa Warrior fleet, according to a report by United Daily News.

The report states that the 601st, 602nd, and 603rd Aviation Brigades are each expected to form a JUMP 20 drone operations unit tasked with supporting attack helicopter missions, particularly laser target designation for AGM-114 Hellfire missile strikes against ground and maritime targets.

According to United Daily News, the JUMP 20 drones are intended to assume the target acquisition and designation role currently associated with the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, a reconnaissance and fire-support helicopter that has been in service for more than two decades.

The report said the Army plans to retire the OH-58D fleet within the next two years, although the timeline appears tied to the arrival of replacement capabilities.

The JUMP 20 is a fixed-wing vertical takeoff and landing medium-sized Class 3 UAV, allowing it to combine runway-independent deployment with the endurance advantages of a conventional fixed-wing aircraft.

This platform is suited for forward reconnaissance, persistent surveillance, and laser designation missions. The UAV would identify and track targets, then provide laser guidance for Hellfire missiles launched from attack helicopters.

This operational change addresses a key battlefield requirement: extending sensor reach while reducing risk to aircrews. Using drones for target designation allows manned helicopters to remain farther from contested airspace while still employing precision-guided weapons.

The report further states that the fire-support mission currently performed by the OH-58D is expected to transition to an armed UH-60M Black Hawk program.

According to the report, Taiwan’s Army is studying an “armed Black Hawk” project that would upgrade existing UH-60M helicopters with Hellfire missile or rocket firing kits and associated fire-control systems.

Lockheed Martin, the original U.S. manufacturer, has reportedly already begun presenting briefings to the Army on the upgrade concept.

If implemented, the change would reassign direct fire-support missions from the smaller OH-58D platform to the more capable UH-60M, while unmanned systems assume the reconnaissance and target-marking role.