Engineering: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:

• 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:

• 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:

• 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. Specification:

• 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. TF-1-06 is specially designed for weather reconnaissance for Shenzhou series spacecraft, and participated in launch and landing weather support missions. Specification:

• 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:

• 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:

• 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. Specification:

• 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. Propulsion is provided by a two-blade propeller driven by a piston engine mounted in the nose. Specification:

• 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.

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. Specification:

• 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.

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:

• 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