Florida-based Redwire Corporation has received a contract to supply its Penguin Mk2.5 vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drone to the Republic of China Coast Guard.
The order, placed through Taiwan Color Optics in Taichung, is intended to support complex maritime missions under the country’s broader “maritime security and defense resilience planning.”
Redwire said the aircraft’s VTOL capability enables rapid deployment in contested environments, while its electro-optical and infrared payloads support persistent surveillance, law enforcement operations, and tracking of small threats.
The Penguin Mk2.5 measures 2 meters (7 feet) in length with a 4-meter (13-foot) wingspan and a maximum takeoff weight of 41 kilograms (90 pounds).
It can reach speeds above 65 knots (120 kilometers/75 miles per hour), operate at altitudes up to 4,000 meters (13,123 feet), and offers an endurance of more than 12 hours. The system also features a secure communications link with a range of up to 180 kilometers (112 miles).
‘Ideal Framework’
Redwire said integrating the Penguin into Taiwan’s operational framework will enhance persistent coverage of littoral zones and coastal approaches.
“Our Penguin Mk2.5 VTOL aircraft is field proven for successful execution of all-weather monitoring and advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations,” said Josh Stinson, co-president and chief growth officer at Redwire Defense Tech.
“Tracking coastline and maritime activities can present unique challenges, and the Penguin is the ideal framework to enhance Taiwan’s coastal defense.”
The Taiwan contract follows a series of recent deals for Redwire, including a $15-million US Army order, a multi-year NATO deal signed in May, and a $20-million US Marine Corps contract announced in April.
