It’s a satcom from the beginning, or it would be impossible to land due to the terrible field of view
Chinese UAV/UCAV development
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by78
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Probably piston. I'd be surprised if it isn't.
by78
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I think this is a clean sheet design, not adapted from an existing manned airframe.
by78
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A Tengoen/Tengden TB-001 UAV has successfully completed the high-altitude base station technology verification flight at Zigong Fengming General Aviation Airport. This is the world's first use of UAV as an aerial base station for multiple network operators (China Telecom, China Mobile, and China Unicom).
A bit of more in-depth introduction (in Chinese) of the TP500 UAV:
The author is well known for his pieces on civil aviation in China. He works in civil aviation (likely a ground crew at the Pudong Int'l airport).
TP500 is in take-off load class of 500kg, with a service radius of 500km and max range of 1800km. This is the first, and an experimental, model of a series in the plan. The next model TP2000 which can take off with 2,000kg load is already in development. More capable models are expected to load up to 10,000kg.
The engine is piston to reduce operating cost. According to the developer, the operating cost of TP500 will be comparable to that of the trunk route cargo aircrafts powered by jet engines (such as those based on Boeing 737).
According to the media, TP500 can operate in full autonomy mode in most scenarios, including taking off, cruising, and landing. One ground control crew will be able watch and monitor multiple aircrafts simultaneously and intervene only when needed.
These CGs (presumably provided by the developer) depict the specifically designed fuselage of TP500. The caption in the first CG says "500kg class take-off load, unmanned air cargo covering 500km service radius, max range 1800km".
The author is well known for his pieces on civil aviation in China. He works in civil aviation (likely a ground crew at the Pudong Int'l airport).
TP500 is in take-off load class of 500kg, with a service radius of 500km and max range of 1800km. This is the first, and an experimental, model of a series in the plan. The next model TP2000 which can take off with 2,000kg load is already in development. More capable models are expected to load up to 10,000kg.
The engine is piston to reduce operating cost. According to the developer, the operating cost of TP500 will be comparable to that of the trunk route cargo aircrafts powered by jet engines (such as those based on Boeing 737).
According to the media, TP500 can operate in full autonomy mode in most scenarios, including taking off, cruising, and landing. One ground control crew will be able watch and monitor multiple aircrafts simultaneously and intervene only when needed.
These CGs (presumably provided by the developer) depict the specifically designed fuselage of TP500. The caption in the first CG says "500kg class take-off load, unmanned air cargo covering 500km service radius, max range 1800km".
Interesting. If even a 500kg payload plane can achieve the economics of a 737, I imagine the larger ones will be much cheaper to operate per kg.
Any specs on the maximum altitude that can be flown and operated by this cargo drone?
If this drone can take off and land on places that are at very high altitudes, then it would be extremely useful for the Himalayan ranges.
To be economical, small payload carrier like that need to land on small airstrips and not big airports where landing taxes would cripple the design. Would be interesting if it can land on grass/unprepared runway.
It can, the landing gear is swappable. Article also says a bit of straight road works also.
These are very exciting, the larger versions maybe with 2 and 4 engines but carrying 4x and 20x cargo should really reduce the cost of air cargo.
I wonder if Wang Yi was telling South Pacific countries about this kind of upcoming stuff that will surely transform all their lives.
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