Chinese Reactions to Taiwan Arms Sales
AGM-65 “Maverick” AGM-65 is a tactical, air-to-surface guided missile for close air support, interdiction, and defense suppression missions that provides stand-off capability and a high probability of strike against a wide range of targets, including armor, air defenses, ships, transportation equipment, and fuel storage facilities. The original AGM65A/B variants have daylight-only electro-optical television guidance systems, while later variants have an imaging infrared guidance system. The AGM-65G variant has upgraded software and a heavyweight penetrator warhead. AH-64D “Longbow” Apache A remanufactured and updated version of the Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopter (a line that went into production in the early 1980s), the Longbow Apache is equipped with the AN/APG-78 Longbow fire control radar. This multi-role combat helicopter fulfills attack and reconnaissance requirements for numerous armed forces worldwide, including for the U.S. Army and a growing number of international defense forces. Block II modernizations provide increases in information sharing, targeting, and night capabilities. Block III includes a series of structural, propulsion, and avionics modifications that provide network-centric capabilities. AIM-9 “Sidewinder” AIM-9 is a supersonic, heat-seeking, air-to-air missile whose main components are an active infrared homing guidance system, an optical target detector, a high-explosive warhead, and a rocket motor. The M model has improved capability against infrared countermeasures and features modifications that increase its ability to locate and lock-on to a target and decrease the chance of missile detection. The X model has improved range, speed, maneuverability, and greatly enhanced acquisition ranges and IR countermeasures and features compatibility with helmet-mounted displays. American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) www.ait.org.tw/en/ The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) is the non-profit, private corporation established by the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) to continue commercial, cultural, and other relations between the U.S. and Taiwan after the U.S. switch in official diplomatic relations to the PRC in 1979. The Department of State, through a contract with the Institute, provides a large part of AIT’s funding and guidance in its operations. Congress, in passing the TRA, also assumed an oversight role with respect to the Institute’s operations. In Taipei, the Liaison Affairs Section serves as the representative of the U.S. Department of Defense, while the Technical Section manages the Taiwan security assistance program. AN/AAQ-19 “Sharpshooter” An international derivative version of the AN/AAQ-14 targeting pod, the AN/AAQ-19 is part of the LANTIRN (Low-Altitude Navigation and Targeting InfraRed for Night) system. It works in conjunction with the AN/AAQ-20 Pathfinder navigation pod, but is not compatible with the AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missile. AN/AAQ-20 “Pathfinder” A downgraded-for-export version of the AN/AAQ-13 navigation pod, the AN/AAQ-20 is part of the LANTIRN (Low-Altitude Navigation and Targeting InfraRed for Night) system, but without the terrain-following radar. It works in conjunction with the AN/AAQ-19 Sharpshooter targeting pod. The Pathfinder’s infrared sensor is
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2012 US-Taiwan Business Council | Project 2049 Institute www.us-taiwan.org | www.project2049.net