Tengden TB-001
| TB-001 | |
|---|---|
| |
| TB-001 over the East China Sea | |
| Role | MALE (medium altitude long endurance) UAV |
| National origin | PRC |
| Manufacturer | Sichuan Tengden |
| Primary user | People's Liberation Army |
The TB-001, nicknamed "Twin-Tailed Scorpion" is a medium-altitude, long-range (MALE) combat UAV designed by Sichuan Tengden. It is used by the People's Liberation Army.
Development[]
The TB-001 was first unveiled in September 2017.[1]
In 2020, the 3-engined variant of the TB-001 was unveiled, reportedly taking less than 6 months to develop.[2]
Design[]
The UAV uses a double-tail design similar to that of the P-38 Lightning fighter.
It has a pair of turbocharged-piston engines, each driving a 3-bladed propeller on either side of the central fuselage, underneath a straight high-mounted wing.[3]
Variants[]
TB-001: Base variant.
3-engine variant: Developed from original TB-001. Upgraded with an additional engine on the tail. Maximum take-off weight increased from 2800kg of the original TB-001 to 3200kg, payload from 1200kg to 1500kg, and flight ceiling from 8,000 meters to 9500 meters (9000m sustained). Take-off distance is shortened to 500 meters and has maximum climb rate of over 10 meters per second. The maximum flight endurance is 35 hours, the same as TB-001.[4][5]
Service history[]
In August 2021, the TB-001 was twice spotted in the East China Sea by the JMSDF. In the first encounter, the TB-001 flew over the East China Sea unaccompanied, and in the second encounter it flew through the Miyako Strait alongside 2 Y-9 aircraft.[3]
Operators[]
Specifications[]
General characteristics
- Crew: None
- Capacity: 1,200 kg (2,646 lb) payload
- Length: 10 m (32 ft 10 in)
- Wingspan: 20 m (65 ft 7 in)
- Height: 3.3 m (10 ft 10 in)
- Max takeoff weight: 2,800 kg (6,173 lb)
Performance
- Range: 6,000 km (3,700 mi, 3,200 nmi)
- Endurance: 35 hours with 1000kg payload
- Service ceiling: 8,000 m (26,000 ft)
Armament
- 4 hardpoints
- 250kg laser-guided bomb, FT-7 glide bomb, FT-9 guided bomb
- AR-4 air-to-surface missile, AR-3 cruise missile, FT-8D, FT-10 air-to ground missiles
Avionics
- 280km communication range with line of sight ground command post, 3000km communication range with satellite communication data links
See also[]
Related lists
- List of Chinese aircraft
- List of unmanned aerial vehicles of the People's Republic of China
References[]
- ^ "The 20-ton Payload Cargo Drone: Bigger (Much Bigger) Drone Deliveries". 24 January 2018.
- ^ "China's Tengden unveils three-engined TB001 UAV variant, highlights recent weapons integration work". Janes.com.
- ^ a b Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick and Tyler. "Japanese Fighters Intercept Three Chinese Drones In As Many Days". The Drive.
- ^ "Three-engined variant of China's Tengden TB001 UAV makes maiden flight".
- ^ "Tengoen TB001 Scorpion / TW328".
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