The Tu-400 is the current recon/attack drone of the CIS. Utilizing relaxed static control with improved fly-by-wire, the Tu-400 Shmel, or "Bumblebee" as people who use it call it. The drone is a direct copy of the famous CAS Wandjina RPV. It is slightly faster, as the Tu-400 does not carry any weapons in it’s reconnaissance model. Despite this, the Tu-400 is a "high maneuverability" plane, with the tri-plane arrangement seen on the Su-56/58, and the BAe F.3 Nighthawk, but does not incorporate any vectored thrust engines for added maneuverability.
The main purpose of the Tu-400 is designation for fire support, as well as reconnaissance. To fulfill that, the Tu-400 has a modified nose mounting a laser designator, radar designator, and other acquisition gear, including low-light, and thermographic optics. All images are sent back by a secure datalink, with encryption (Rating 14) as standard. This can be hooked up to a Battletac system to offer better intelligence when needed.
The only other variant is the Tu-400M, an assault version of the Tu-400. The only major difference is the space used for the radar designator is removed, and incorporates a standard HMG, with 500 rounds. Mounted on each wing is a hardpoint and a firmpoint, as well as a centerline hardpoint able to accept most equipment. And the only other modification is that the engine is a two dimensional vectored thrust engine, adding superior maneuverability to the aircraft. The aircraft has a standard tri-wheel arrangement, allowing landings on forward strips in case a catapult is not available. However, Tupolev offers a catapult modification system to allow the Tu-400/M to be launched from foreign catapult systems.
Type
Handling
Speed
Accel
B/A
Sig
Autonav
Pilot
Load
Cost
Recon
2
80/400
50
4/6
6
4
4
100
1,603,000¥
Armed
2
80/400
50
5/9
6
4
4
674
2,884,900¥
Reconnaissance Version Economy: .5 km per liter Fuel: 270 liters Cargo: 2 CF storage Operational Duration: Fuel-limited Set-up/Breakdown Time: 10 minutes Sensors: Security II (6) Store: 40 CF (with wings extended), 30 CF (folded) Takeoff Profile: Standard Other Features: Tandem Triplane Layout, Laser Designator mounted in a micro remote turret, Radar Designator, Battletac FDDM Receiver, remote control interface, Rigger adaptation. Weights: 1,086 fully loaded, 1083.3 empty, with no internal fuel.
Tu-400M Economy: 0.75 km per liter Fuel: 370 liters Cargo: 2 CF storage Operational Duration: Fuel-limited Set-up/Breakdown Time: 10 minutes Sensors: Security II (6) Store: 50 CF (with wings extended), 40 CF (folded) Takeoff Profile: Standard Other Features: Tandem Triplane Layout, Two-Dimensional Thrust Vectoring, Laser Designator mounted in a micro remote turret, Radar Designator, Battletac FDDM Receiver, remote control interface, Rigger adaptation. Armament: Internally mounted Vengeance MMG with 600 belted rounds. One Centerline hardpoint with 3 CF capability, one hardpoint on each wing with 2 CF capacity, as well as outer firmpoints. Weights: 1,640 with full ordnance load, full internal fuel, 966 kg without ordnance, and 872.3 fully empty.
89E4R Catapult Launch Kit
The 89E4R system is a reusable system to allow the Tu-400 to be launched from any catapult. The system allows sensor, ECM/ECCM pods as well as fuel tanks to be carried on the centerline. The kit comes with any purchase of the Tu-400M.