According to the Eurasian Times in India, China currently has the world's most extensive and diverse drone systems, including stealth, non-stealthy, jet and propeller drones. Recently, the TB-001 drone in China was taken when flying full of ammunition. Its condition was like a drone version of the "bomb truck" when it was full of missiles and bombs. Through the photo, we can see that the drone is equipped with 12 AGM ammunition, each with 5 wings on each side. There are 2 air-to-ground missiles on the bottom launcher stand. It can be said that the firepower is extremely fierce and it is the power multiplier on the battlefield. So much so that the Indian media used "unmanned heavy bomber" to describe it .
TB001 UAV is a strike and reconnaissance drone (UAV) developed to meet the needs of the PLA's own use and exported overseas customers. It was first unveiled in September 2017 and has been serving in various People's Liberation Army units since 2021. It has crossed the middle line of the Taiwan Strait and flew over the Miyako Strait. Japan Self-Defense Force has taken its pictures many times. At the Zhuhai Air Show held this year, Saudi spent $200 million to buy its production line, which is enough to show that the performance of the drone is very popular. The initial model of the
TB001 drone is powered by two engines, and has been upgraded to TB-001A, which uses three engines, since 2020. With the increase of engines, its maximum take-off weight has increased from 800 kg to 3200 kg, and the payload has increased from 1200 kg to 1500 kg, which can carry more weapons and various types of surveillance sensors; its maximum flight altitude has increased from 8000 meters to 9500 meters, and can cruise at a height of 9000 meters. This flight altitude exceeds the effective interception altitude of the short-range air defense system on the ground, improving the safety of the drone when performing missions.
With the help of three engines, its take-off distance has also been shortened to within 500 meters. The short-range take-off and landing performance is relatively outstanding, which reduces the take-off conditions and improves its practicality. can adapt to different types of navigable airport . Its maximum climb rate exceeds 10 meters/sec, and its mobility has been improved. As an medium and high altitude long-distance (MALE) drone, it can fly more than 3,700 miles (more than 6,000 kilometers) while carrying ammunition and monitoring device . It can fly continuously in the air for 35 hours. This battery life is the same as that of TB-001.
Because it adopts the double-tail support body design, it is also called the "two-tailed scorpion". This similar design of fighter has also been used, such as P-38 blitz fighter , which was famous during in World War II. In recent years, many large long-distance drones have adopted similar structures. This structure has the advantages of high strength, light weight, and extended battery life. While ensuring tail control, it reduces the height and design difficulty. It is the first drone in China to adopt this design, and it is also the world's first three-engine large-scale high-end drone system. Although the overall layout of the "Two-tailed Scorpion" is not new, it is indeed a drone that is more suitable for plateau and maritime patrols. Its aerodynamic layout provides head-mounting space for various detection devices, while the wingspan can be used to install weapons without being disturbed by propeller . The control system of
TB-001 is compatible with satellite communication data link , which can maintain bidirectional normal communication within a range of 3000 kilometers. There is an optical tracking system at the front of the ventral side of its machine , which can be used with precise guided weapon to strike ground targets and improve its strike accuracy; can also be used in conjunction with other drones, fighters or ground equipment. The weapons it can use include 50 kg FT-6A laser guided bomb, 130 kg FT-7 gliding bomb, 50 kg FT-9 guided bomb, 45 kg AR-1 air-to-ground missile , AR-2 air-to-ground missile , AR-4 air-to-ground missile, AR-3 cruise missile, FT-8D, FT-10 air-to-ground missile, etc., with super strong ground strike capabilities.
AR-2 air-to-ground missile weighs 20 kilograms and the warhead weighs 5 kilograms. It is powerful enough to destroy light vehicles, ground armed personnel and other targets. Due to the light weight and small size, the mount point that used to be able to carry one AR-1 missile can now be used to mount four AR-2 missiles using a composite mount, which improves the continuous firepower of the drone.
AR-3 cruise missile weighs 100 kg, is equipped with a mini turbojet engine , with a range of more than 100 kilometers and a range of 30 minutes. This missile is particularly suitable for attacking closely defended enemy fire control radar and warning radar . The drone can launch it outside the enemy's defense zone. When the missile enters the enemy zone, it will automatically detect the radar target signal and dive maneuver.
AR-4 air-to-ground missile uses armor-breaking or killing warheads. is specially equipped to enhance TB-001 to strike heavy armored targets and fortifications. The missile weighs 80 kilograms and has a warhead of about 20 kilograms. It has a huge power and a range of up to 20 kilometers. It can be launched at a height of 7,000 meters. This altitude exceeds the interception height of most short-range air defense systems. The AR-4 can be replaced with infrared seekers, TV seekers or millimeter-wave radar seekers. The total power is far greater than that of the United States' AGM-114 "Hellfire" air-to-ground missile. The Hellfire missile weighs 45~49 kilograms and is mainly used for anti-armor and can also be used to strike other ground targets.
In addition, Indian media said that TB-001 can also fire Blue Arrow-7 air-to-ground missiles. The missile uses tandem energy-concentrated charge armor-breaking warhead, which is an anti-tank weapon. It uses semi-active laser guidance and can also be equipped with different seekers, with high accuracy. Its armor-piercing ability can reach 1400 mm, and its anti-armor power is stronger than that of the United States Hellfire.
Of course, this drone is also flawed. Since the aircraft is non-stealthy, it is relatively large, 10 meters long and 20 meters wingspan, it cannot expect it to perform its mission alone on a battlefield where the battle is very fierce, especially when the enemy is equipped with medium- and long-range air defense systems, fighters and drones. It can be used in large quantities on an asymmetric battlefield or in the absence of air defense or fighter jets by the enemy, or as a supplement to ground strike firepower after obtaining air supremacy . Therefore, TB-001 is likely to play a role in the recovery of Taiwan to attack ground targets.
