Tengden TB-001

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.

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

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
 People's Republic of China

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

References
  1. "The 20-ton Payload Cargo Drone: Bigger (Much Bigger) Drone Deliveries". 24 January 2018.
  2. "China's Tengden unveils three-engined TB001 UAV variant, highlights recent weapons integration work". Janes.com.
  3. Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick and Tyler (26 August 2021). "Japanese Fighters Intercept Three Chinese Drones In As Many Days". The Drive.
  4. "Three-engined variant of China's Tengden TB001 UAV makes maiden flight".
  5. "Tengoen TB001 Scorpion / TW328".
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