CASC Rainbow
Chinese multi-role UAV family spanning micro to stealth combat drones.
Last updated
The CASC Rainbow (CH) series is a family of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) marketed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) and produced by its China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics (CAAA). The series encompasses a wide range of platforms, from micro air vehicles (MAVs) to large multi-role medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAVs and stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs). Notable for its export success and operational use in several conflicts, the Rainbow series includes models such as the CH-3, CH-4, and CH-5, which have been deployed by multiple countries.
Quick Facts
- Manufacturer
- China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC); China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics (CAAA)
- First flight
- CH-3 in 2007; CH-5 maiden flight in August 2015
Facts from the source article.
Background
The Rainbow series began development in 2000 with the CH-1, a small fixed-wing reconnaissance UAV, followed by the CH-2. The CH-3, a fixed-wing unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) that first flew in 2007, introduced a 70 kg payload capability and could carry the AR-1 air-to-ground missile and FT-9 guided bomb. The CH-4, externally similar to the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper but lacking the ventral fin, appeared in two versions: the reconnaissance-oriented CH-4A and the mixed attack/reconnaissance CH-4B, which can carry up to six weapons with a payload of 250–345 kg. A CASC factory in Myanmar produces the CH-4 under license.
The CH-5, a larger UAV with a 21-meter wingspan and 1,000 kg payload, conducted its maiden flight in August 2015 and made its first airshow flight in July 2017. It can carry up to 16 missiles and cooperate with CH-3 and CH-4 drones via a shared data link. Chinese officials claimed the CH-5 was similar in performance to the US MQ-9 Reaper but at less than half the price.
The CH-7, a stealth flying-wing UCAV similar to the X-47B, was planned to make its maiden flight in 2019 and commence production from 2022; a live airframe was spotted in 2024. The CH-6, a large UAV with a maximum takeoff weight of 7,800 kg, was in development in 2021. Smaller models include the hand-launched CH-802 MAV and the catapult-launched CH-803.
Did You Know?
- The CH-7 stealth UCAV has a flying-wing design similar to the X-47B and a top speed of 920 km/h.
More in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles by Country
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: CASC Rainbow (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced