Tengoen TB-001 Twin-Tailed Scorpion

History of the Tengoen TB-001 Twin-Tailed Scorpion

China is positioning itself as a leader in the field of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), with a focus on exporting these aircraft. They have developed the Tengeon TB-001, also known as the "Scorpion," which competes with advanced and expensive Western products in the market.

The TB-001 is produced by China Skytech, a company established in January 2016. They also manufacture the TA-001 Strike Eagle and other rotary-wing unmanned vehicles. Both the TB-001 and the Strike Eagle can carry combat munitions like missiles and bombs.

The Twin-Tailed Scorpion is designed with twin engines and a twin-boom layout, providing it with power and range, especially over water. It is classified as a Medium Altitude, Long Endurance (MALE) UAV. The main-wing aircraft have a monoplane design capable of carrying various air-to-ground weapons. The circular fuselage is reminiscent of the US "Global Hawk" UAV.

The aircraft has outriggers mounted below each main wing, extending backward and connected by a horizontal plane. It operates on the ground with a retractable tricycle arrangement, ensuring aerodynamic efficiency during flight. The engine is located at the front and drives a three-blade unit. The tail boom extends beyond the leading edge of the wing, housing the exhaust duct.

In terms of specifications, the TB-001 has a wingspan of 65.5 feet and a maximum takeoff weight of 6,000 pounds. It can fly for up to 35 hours using satellite communications (SATCOM) at an altitude of 26,250 feet, covering a range of 1,620 nautical miles.

During August 2021, the Japanese Ministry of Defense intercepted and photographed a TB-001 over the East China Sea, raising suspicions that the aircraft might already be in service with the Chinese Air Force or Navy.

Specification

Basics

Service Years: 2020

Origins: China

Status: Active. Limited service.

Crew: 0

Production: 10

Manufacturer: Tengoen Technology - China

Carrier: China

Roles

Ground attack (bombing, strafing)

The ability to conduct air strikes against ground targets using (but not limited to) artillery, bombs, rockets, rockets, etc.

Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR), reconnaissance

Monitor ground targets/target areas to assess surrounding threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.

Unmanned

Aircraft designed (or later developed) have inherent unmanned capabilities and can fill a variety of battlefield roles.

Dimensions and Weights

Width/Span: 65.5 feet (19.95m)

Cured weight: 4,409 lbs (2,000 kg)

MTOW: 6,008 lbs (2,725 kg)

Wgt Difference: +1,598 lbs (+725kg)

Main Aircraft Structure

Monoplane

Designed to use a single main wing main aircraft; this is the most popular arrangement of main aircraft.

Shoulder

The main aircraft is mounted on the upper part of the fuselage, usually on an imaginary line that intersects the pilot's shoulders.

Straight

Floor plans involve the use of simple, straight main plan elements.

Performance

Installed: 2 x conventional engines, in a puller configuration, driving three-bladed propellers.

Maximum speed: 155 km/h (250 km/h | 135 kn)

Cruising speed: 134 km/h (215 km/h | 116 knots)

Maximum speed difference: +22 km/h (+35 km/h | 19 kn)

Maximum: 26,247 feet (8,000 m | 5 km)

Area: 1,864 km (3,000 km | 5,556 nautical miles)

ARMOR

The variable depends on the task type. It is believed to support Chinese air-to-surface missiles as well as precision-guided bombs.