CASIC TF
CASIC TF is the name of a series of Chinese UAVs developed by Shenyang Xinguang (meaning New Light) Group Co. Ltd. (沈阳航天新光集团有限公司) of 中国航天科工集团 China Aerospace Science & Industry Corporation, most of which are in service with Chinese military and governmental establishments. Technologies of TF series is adopted for another series of Chinese UAVs named as T series by the same company, and they are always shown together by the developer at exhibitions since both series share the same root.
T-1
T-1 is a fixed-wing UAV in twin-boom layout, and is constructed of carbon-fiber composite material. T-1 is powered by a four stroke air cooled internal combustion engine driving a wooden propeller. Specification:[1]
- Wingspan (m): 3.5
- Length (m): 2.1
- Fuel (kg): 5
- Empty weight (kg): 15
- Payload (kg): 5
- Max take-off weight (kg): 20
- Normal operating altitude (m): 100 – 5000
- Ceiling (km): 5
- Endurance (h): 20
- Typical patrol range (km): 150
- Max speed (km): 120
- Cruise speed (km): 100
T-1C
T-1C is a fixed-wing UAV in twin-boom layout with inverted v-tail. T-1 UAV is launched via vehicle or catapult, and recovered via recovery net or glide. Specification:[2]
- Weight (kg): < 16
- Speed (m/s): 18 – 32
- Operating temperature (°C): - 10 to 55
T-8
T-8 is a fixed-wing micro air vehicle (MAV) that resembles a scaled-down version of Northrop X-4 Bantam without the inlets because T-8 is propelled by a two-blade propeller driven by an engine mounted in the nose. T-8 is the smaller cousin of the smaller TF-8, and both share the same layout. Specification:[3]
- Wingspan (m): 1.5
- Length (m): 1.1
- Empty weight (kg): 4
- Payload (kg): 0.8
- Max take-off weight (kg): 5
- Normal operating altitude (m): 100 – 3000
- Ceiling (km): 3
- Endurance (h): 1
- Normal patrol range (km): 30
- Max speed (km/h): 120
- Cruise speed (km): 90
TF-1
TF-1 is a fixed-wing UAV in twin-boom layout with inverted v-tail. The existence of TF-1 was acknowledged when it was first revealed at the 7th Zhuhai Airshow held in 2008.[4] Specification:[5]
- Wingspan (m): 1.85
- Length (m): 0.55
- Height (m): 0.5
- Max take-off weight (kg): 50
TF-1-06
TF-1-06 is a fixed-wing UAV in twin-boom layout with inverted v-tail. TF-1-06 is developed from TF-1, and its existence of TF-1 was acknowledged when it was first revealed at the 7th Zhuhai Airshow held in 2008 together with its predecessor TF-1.[6] TF-1-06 is specially designed for weather reconnaissance for Shenzhou series spacecraft, and participated in launch and landing weather support missions. Specification:[7]
- Max take-off weight (kg): 20
- Payload (kg): 2
- Fuel (kg): 2.5
- Range (km): 1650
- Endurance (h): 16
TF-1C
TF-1C is a lightweight, long-endurance UAV in twin-boom layout with inverted v-tail, and it is usually vehicle-launched. Specification:[8][9]
- Max take-off weight (kg): < 16
- Endurance (h): up to 12
- Typical range (km): 1200
- Speed (km): 100
TF-1D Blade
TF-1D Blade (Dao-Feng or Daofeng, 刀锋) is a development of TF-1C, with the identical twin-boom layout with inverted v-tail, and it is one of several Chinese UAVs sharing the identical name Blade. Specification:[10][11][12]
- Max take-off weight (kg): 16
- Endurance (h): 12+
- Typical range (km): 1200+
- Speed (km): 100
- Ceiling (km): 3
TF-3 Sunbird
TF-3 Sunbird is a fixed-wing UAV in twin-boom layout with twin tail. Propulsion is provided by a two-blade propeller driven by a pusher engine mounted at the rear end of the fuselage, as with most CASIC UAVs in twin-boom layout. TF-3 is either vehicle- or hand-launched, and it is recovered via parachute.[13] Specification:[7]
- Speed (km/h): 100
- Endurance (h): 4
- Ceiling (km) 3
TF-5
TF-5 is a fixed-wing UAV in conventional layout with high-wing configuration and tricycle landing gear.[14] Propulsion is provided by a two-blade propeller driven by a piston engine mounted in the nose.[15] Specification:[5]
- Wingspan (m): 2.4
- Length (m): 0.7
- Height (m): 0.65
- Max take-off weight (kg): 120
TF-6
TF-6 is a fixed-wing UAV in twin-boom layout with inverted v-tail. The existence of TF-6 is revealed to the public in 2012 when it was displayed by its developer at the UAV exhibition held in China. As with its predecessors such as TF-1 series, propulsion is provided by a two-blade propeller driven by a pusher engine mounted at the rear end of the fuselage.[16]
TF-8
TF-8 is a small UAV that can be carried by a single soldier. TF-8 is a fixed-wing UAV that resembles a scaled-down version of Northrop X-4 Bantam without the inlets because TF-8 is propelled by a two-blade propeller driven by an engine mounted in the nose. TF-8 is the larger cousin of the smaller T-8, and both share the same layout.[17][18][19] Specification:[5]
- Wingspan (m):1.16
- Length (m): 0.8
- Height (m): 0.4
- Max take-off weight (kg): 20
TF-8C
TF-8C is a fixed-wing UAV in conventional layout with high-wing configuration and tricycle landing gear. The existence of TF-6 is revealed to the public in 2012 when it was displayed by its developer at the International UAV exhibition held in Beijing, China. As with its predecessor TF-5, propulsion is provided by a two-blade propeller driven by a tractor engine mounted in the nose.[20]
TF-10
TF-10 is a fixed-wing UAV of long endurance, and its existence was revealed at the 7th Zhuhai Airshow, marketed as a UAV mainly deployed for aerial survey and photography missions. Specification:[21]
- Ceiling (km): 5
- Max endurance (h): 17
- Max range (km): 1000
- Max speed (km): 100
See also
List of unmanned aerial vehicles of the People's Republic of China
