As reported byAnhui Newson June 15, 2025, Wuhu Tengden Aviation Technology Co., Ltd., a completely owned subsidiary of Sichuan Tengden Sci-Tech Co., Ltd., officially began production at its new final assembly line for the D18, likewise called the Twin-Tailed Scorpion D, a big four-engine freight unmanned aerial vehicle.Located in Wanzhi District of Wuhu, Anhui Province, the company was developed with investment from the Wuhu community federal government and Wanzhi District.This production start represents the nationwide very first launch of this particular UAV model, classified by Tengden as a large-scale, low-cost freight drone for numerous applications.
The D18 is the outcome of a UAV development trajectory that includes the earlier TB-001 and TB-001A airframes, and was initially checked in flight on October 25, 2022, at Zigong Fengming General Airport in Sichuan.
The UAV went into the runway autonomously and finished an 18-minute flight before landing without recorded issues.The D18, likewise described as the Twin-Tailed Scorpion D, TB0D, or Shuangweixie D, includes a wingspan of 20 meters, a fuselage length of 10.5 meters, and a height of 3.1 meters.
Its optimum departure weight is 4.35 tons, with an optimum payload of 1.8 heaps.
Its maximum variety when completely packed is over 600 kilometers.The airplane utilizes 4 turbocharged C145HT-VI piston engines developed by Zhongshen Aero Engine, each rated at 105 kW, and geared up for operation in conditions varying from 55C to +70 C.
These engines are horizontally opposed, four-cylinder, four-stroke designs that integrate electronic fuel injection.
The aircrafts modular architecture consists of a changeable freight bay of up to 5 cubic meters and redundancy in onboard systems.
It is the first recognized large industrial UAV to incorporate modular cargo innovation of this type.Tengden likewise includes its proprietary autonomous flight software application, created to allow a single operator to all at once keep track of approximately ten airplane and to offer one-touch launch abilities.
The aircraft uses 4 engines rotating in the exact same instructions, which presents asymmetric thrust risk if engines on one side stop working at the same time.
Tengdens flight control software apparently includes contingency procedures for such events.On the exact same day as the assembly line inauguration, Tengden, together with market partners, conducted a test flight of the D18 at Wuxuan Airport in Wuhu.
This flight was referred to as a logistics-focused confirmation of the D18s air freight handling capabilities.The airplane had formerly been utilized to perform what was referred to as the very first cross-provincial UAV freight objective in China.
On April 29, 2024, a D18 transferred a symbolic package from Zigong in Sichuan to Yongchuan District in Chongqing as part of a low-altitude presentation at the 2024 Chongqing Low-Altitude Flight Consumption Week.After completing the shipment, the UAV went back to Sichuan with items sent out in exchange, finishing a two-way flight that showcased the aircrafts logistical application in local aerial shipment.
The airplane flew the mission in one hour and landed at the location without occurrence.
This operation, jointly supported by Sichuan and Chongqing officials, was publicized as a symbolic contribution to the development of the Chengdu-Chongqing twin-city economic zone.Tengdens commercial UAV production facility in Wuhu is presently under building in Yongxing Village, Huachiao Town.
The site will combine assembly, flight testing, and operator training within a single center.
The jobs total investment is 2 billion yuan, and the plant is developed to produce more than 50 fixed-wing UAVs per year.
As soon as completed, it is expected to become one of the largest UAV industrial centers in the Yangtze River Delta, both in regards to production capability and integrated functionality.Tengdens specified tactical objective is to build a low-altitude economic environment based upon full-spectrum, all-process, all-scenario, all-weather, and all-regional functional capability, described internally as a five-all technique.
The companys utilize cases consist of logistics, synthetic weather condition policy, emergency situation response, aerial security, environmental tracking, mapping, energy infrastructure evaluation, and security operations.
These goals are consistent with nationwide policies promoting the expansion of low-altitude financial facilities and usage cases.The D18 is based on and developed from the TB-001, a military medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) which first appeared at the 14th China-ASEAN Expo in 2017.
The original variation used two engines, supported a 2.8-ton MTOW, and was fit to objectives such as search and rescue and atmospheric observation.In 2019, Tengden introduced a three-engine version for military surveillance applications, increasing MTOW to 3.2 tons, payload to 1.2 lots, and cruise variety to 6,000 kilometers.
It was adopted by the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force for long-endurance reconnaissance flights.
One TB-001 airplane was involved in a mission in July 2022 that circumnavigated Taiwan by means of the Miyako Strait and Bashi Channel, activating a reaction by Japanese F-15s.
The Scorpion D follows this family tree but introduces a larger airframe, a four-engine layout, and a greater internal volume.
The platform has also appeared at worldwide defense events such as the Zhuhai Airshow and is thought about to be a potential prospect for military adjustment, although the D18 variation now in production is configured for civil and business operations.The airplanes aerodynamic and structural style is concentrated on high lift and low-speed efficiency.
It uses a high-aspect-ratio straight wing with projected wing loading of roughly 217.5 kg/m.
The wing is geared up with basic flaps and ailerons with estimated differential deflection.
Making use of tip-mounted winglets aims to decrease vortex drag.
The tail includes a Pi-shaped design with a horizontal stabilizer between twin vertical fins.
This configuration decreases the impact of propwash and improves pitch and yaw stability.The undercarriage includes a tricycle retractable landing equipment system with oleo-pneumatic shock absorbers.
The main gear lies behind the inner engines, sharing structural housing with the nacelles.
The forward gear is steerable and most likely equipped with a shimmy damper for stability throughout ground maneuvers.From a structural viewpoint, the fuselage uses a pear-shaped cross-section common to large transport aircraft.
Its geometry accommodates the main wing box and supports torsional strength while preserving enough internal cargo volume.
Side-opening freight doors are utilized instead of nose-hinged gain access to, restricting the size of cargo however streamlining structural integration.Tengden has actually stated that the D18 will serve a role in constructing an integrated network for medium-range air freight and aerial services in Chinas low-altitude economy.
The airplane is likewise provided as a platform for future modular upgrades, and although the present model is civilian, historical export of the TB-001 to foreign consumers such as Saudi Arabia recommends global adaptation remains a possibility.The four-engine configuration, while structurally requiring and fuel-intensive compared to twin-engine designs, enables the platform to disperse lift, manage power loads efficiently, and maintain operational redundancy.
This setup is particularly suited for high-altitude, high-mass payload objectives in environments with minimal emergency landing options.As of mid-2025, the D18 program stays in its production ramp-up stage, and extra information about procurement volumes, domestic consumers, or export intents have actually not been disclosed.
The airplanes development and manufacturing activities continue to be tracked by Chinese provincial and nationwide development authorities as part of broader efforts to stimulate commercial involvement in the low-altitude air travel sector.Source: Army Recognition