Chinese UAV/UCAV development

[Temstar]

They could technically make a five engine version.

Why is the fuselage painted different from the wings?

Tengden is known for adding a pusher propeller to the center fuselage for their twin engine UAVs so it's entirely possible.

At four cubic meter, 1.5 ton capacity you could fill it out with all sorts of gear. Although if it's going to be used for cargo then you'll have to open it up from the nose if it's got a pusher engine.

Speaking of opening up by the nose, I really dig the paint job for the TB0D. Coupled with the shape of its fuselage and how the satellite radome just merges into the top of the fuselage it looks a lot like some sort of miniaturized Antonov.

Tengden has already said

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.

 

[by78]

The cargo bay doors on the new Tengden/Tengoen TB0D UAV.

 

[SanWenYu]

The cargo bay doors on the new Tengden/Tengoen TB0D UAV.

If there are larger models I'd hope the doors open like An-225 or C-5.

 

[sheogorath]

The outboard propeller is shaped differently from the inboard one.

 

[Clark Gap]

More engines, less efficiency. Four motors are too much for such small UAV.

 

[SEAD]

More engines, less efficiency. Four motors are too much for such small UAV.

Obviously it’s not a MALE but a transporter. More motors means faster speed and better high-altitude suitability, I guess.

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

Tengden is known for adding a pusher propeller to the center fuselage for their twin engine UAVs so it's entirely possible.
View attachment 100176
At four cubic meter, 1.5 ton capacity you could fill it out with all sorts of gear. Although if it's going to be used for cargo then you'll have to open it up from the nose if it's got a pusher engine.

Speaking of opening up by the nose, I really dig the paint job for the TB0D. Coupled with the shape of its fuselage and how the satellite radome just merges into the top of the fuselage it looks a lot like some sort of miniaturized Antonov.

Tengden has already said

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.

TB0D reminds of the C-119 Flying Boxcar.


Speaking of which, if the rear end of the center fuselage isn't fitted with an engine, maybe a cargo door could be implemented to conduct airdrops?

The horizontal stabilizer of the UAV is positioned high enough such that anything jettisoned from the back of the center fuselage would move clear of it.

Though, the UAV needs to be bigger.

 

[Temstar]

TB0D reminds of the C-119 Flying Boxcar.
View attachment 100193

Speaking of which, if the rear end of the center fuselage isn't fitted with an engine, maybe a cargo door could be implemented to conduct airdrops?

The horizontal stabilizer of the UAV is positioned high enough such that anything jettisoned from the back of the center fuselage would move clear of it.

Though, the UAV needs to be bigger.

I thought a good use for cargo UAV would be something like a C-2 greyhound. That job seems suitable for AI to do instead of human and with Fujian on the way the need for it is near too.

TB0D doesn't seem to be that though. Despite its big wing span it's cargo capacity is nowhere near a greyhound. On the other hand its news release for the maiden flight did say it has long loitering time and large electricity generation capacity. So I think the role envisioned is still fairly unique to UAVs instead of unmanned version of transport.

 

[tankphobia]

I think smallish transport UAVs make a lot of sense, but anything approaching the size of a Y-8 the cargo would be valuable enough that you're better off using piloted aircraft.

 

[Andy1974]

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Developed based on the original Twin-Tailed Scorpion drone, the new aircraft can carry heavier and larger payloads, provide enhanced power support, and offer higher system reliability and flight safety thanks to the extra engines and power generators.

It is a new type of support aircraft capable of carrying more mission payloads with high performance in transport, airdrop and other tasks.

The drone has a wingspan of 20 meters, a length of 10.5 meters and a height of 3.1 meters. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 4.35 tons, a maximum payload weight of 1.5 tons and a maximum cargo space of 5 cubic meters, the company said.

There is a lot of electric power available. Article also states that more payloads can be hung on the underwing pylons.

Is a 20m wingspan too wide for a carrier landing?