04 November 2022, Friday, 15:58 305

China's homegrown four-engine large-size drone conducts maiden flight

Редактор: Тимофій Борзенко

China's homegrown four-engine large-size drone conducts maiden flight. Photo by Xinhua.

A four-engine large-size drone independently developed in Chinese company has successfully conducted its maiden flight. This was reported by The Xinhua News Agency.

The Twin-Tailed Scorpion D, a four-engine large drone independently developed by China, made its maiden flight and will make its public debut at the upcoming Airshow China 2022, the aircraft's developer announced.

Capable of carrying heavier and larger payloads, the new drone has enhanced transport capability compared with its predecessors in the Twin-Tailed Scorpion series, analysts said.

Independently developed by Sichuan Tengden Sci-Tech Innovation Co, the Twin-Tailed Scorpion D successfully completed its first flight at an airport in Zigong, Southwest China's Sichuan Province.

"This multipurpose, medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle system with fixed wings and four engines is the first of its kind in the world", – Tengden said.

The aircraft will make its public debut at the Airshow China 2022, which will be held in November in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province, according to the press release.

Developed based on the original Twin-Tailed Scorpion drone, the new aircraft can carry heavier and larger payloads, provide enhanced power support, and offer higher system reliability and flight safety thanks to the extra engines and power generators.

It is a new type of support aircraft capable of carrying more mission payloads with high performance in transport, airdrop and other tasks.

The drone has a wingspan of 20 meters, a length of 10.5 meters and a height of 3.1 meters. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 4.35 tons, a maximum payload weight of 1.5 tons and a maximum cargo space of 5 cubic meters, the company said.

The drone has two hatch doors on its chubby fuselage, through which cargos can be loaded.