Taiwan's first two US-bought MQ-9B drones have flown, and Taichung's mayor is pushing for more test space — good for the island's drone industry, frustrating for makers stuck without a nearby runway.

• The air force's first two MQ-9B drones from the US completed their first flights.
• Taichung mayor Lu Shiow-yen wants the central government to approve a drone test site in central Taiwan, and more in the north and near the Hsinchu science park.
• Two aircraft are far too few — Taiwan needs volume to make drones its next big industry and to build its own defense.
• Central Taiwan is the country's biggest drone research and factory hub, but the only test sites are in Chiayi and Kaohsiung, so finished drones must be trucked south and hauled back for fixes.
• Lu also attacked the new head of the national history archive for making political jabs on taking office, calling them unfit for a job that should stay neutral.

Outlook: Expect pressure on Taipei to sign off on more test sites as Taiwan tries to scale drone production quickly.