Tengden TB-001

TB-001
	TB-001 on Zhuhai Airshow 2022
Role	Medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle
National origin	China
Manufacturer	Sichuan Tengden
Designer	Koen Lee Choi
Primary user	People's Liberation Army

The Tengden TB-001 is a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) 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 three-engined variant of the TB-001 was unveiled, reportedly taking less than six months to develop.^[2]

Design

The TB-001 uses a twin-boom design. It has a pair of turbocharged-piston engines, each driving a three-bladed propeller on either side of the central fuselage, underneath a straight high-mounted wing.^[3]

Operational history

In August 2021, the TB-001 was twice spotted in the East China Sea by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. 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 two Shaanxi Y-9 aircraft.^[3]

Variants

TB-001: Base variant.

TB-001A: Developed from the original TB-001. Upgraded with an additional engine on the tail. Maximum takeoff weight increased from 2,800 kilograms of the original TB-001 to 3,200 kilograms (7,100 lb), payload from 1,200 kilograms to 1,500 kilograms (3,300 lb), and flight ceiling from 8,000 metres to 9,500 metres (9,000 m sustained). Takeoff distance is shortened to 500 metres and has maximum rate of climb of over 10 metres per second. The maximum flight endurance is 35 hours, the same as TB-001.^[4]^[5]

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 1,000 kg payload
Service ceiling: 8,000 m (26,000 ft)

Armament

4 hardpoints
250 kg 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

280 km communication range with line of sight ground command post, 3,000 km communication range with satellite communication data links

References

^ McNabbon, Miriam (24 January 2018). "The 20-ton Payload Cargo Drone: Bigger (Much Bigger) Drone Deliveries". Dronelife. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
^ Wong, Kelvin (27 January 2020). "China's Tengden unveils three-engined TB001 UAV variant, highlights recent weapons integration work". Janes.com. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
^ ^a ^b Trevithick, Joseph; Rogoway, Tyler (26 August 2021). "Japanese Fighters Intercept Three Chinese Drones In As Many Days". The Drive. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
^ Rupprecht, Andreas (21 January 2020). "Three-engined variant of China's Tengden TB001 UAV makes maiden flight". Janes.com. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
^ "Tengoen TB001 Scorpion / TW328". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 2 November 2022.

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[1] McNabbon, Miriam (24 January 2018). "The 20-ton Payload Cargo Drone: Bigger (Much Bigger) Drone Deliveries". Dronelife. Retrieved 2 November 2022.

[2] Wong, Kelvin (27 January 2020). "China's Tengden unveils three-engined TB001 UAV variant, highlights recent weapons integration work". Janes.com. Retrieved 2 November 2022.

[Trevithick&Rogoway-3] Trevithick, Joseph; Rogoway, Tyler (26 August 2021). "Japanese Fighters Intercept Three Chinese Drones In As Many Days". The Drive. Retrieved 2 November 2022.

[4] Rupprecht, Andreas (21 January 2020). "Three-engined variant of China's Tengden TB001 UAV makes maiden flight". Janes.com. Retrieved 2 November 2022.

[5] "Tengoen TB001 Scorpion / TW328". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 2 November 2022.

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