CASC CH-4 Rainbow

Summary

Description

The CASC Rainbow series is a line of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) marketed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). Production of the UAVs is handled by CASC's China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics (CAAA). The series includes multi-role, medium-altitude, long-endurance UAVs, as well as micro air vehicles (MAV). Development of the CH-1, a small fixed-wing reconnaissance UAV, began in 2000. The CH-3, a fixed-wing unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), first flew in 2007. The CH-5 conducted its maiden flight in August 2015, followed by its first airshow flight in July 2017 in northern Hebei province. The CH-802 program began in 2007 and was completed in 2008, while the CH-803 program began in 2008 and was completed in 2011.

The CASC Rainbow series showcases a variety of designs tailored for different mission requirements. The CH-3 is a fixed-wing unmanned combat aerial vehicle. The CH-4, visually similar to the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper, comes in two versions: the CH-4A for reconnaissance and the CH-4B for mixed attack and reconnaissance roles, with provisions for up to 6 weapons. The larger CH-5 boasts a wingspan of 21 meters. The CH-7 is a stealthy flying wing UCAV. The CH-91 features a twin-boom layout and an inverted v-tail. The micro air vehicles CH-802 and CH-803 incorporate unique design elements, such as the elevated high-wing configuration and V-tail of the CH-802 and the forward-swept wing of the CH-803.

The CH-3 has a 70 kg payload capacity and can be armed with AR-1 air-to-ground missiles and FT-9 guided bombs. The CH-4B variant can carry up to 6 weapons with a total payload of 250 to 345 kg, including AR-1 and AR-2 missiles, AKD-10 air-to-surface anti-tank missiles, BRMI-90 90mm guided rockets, FT-7/130 130 kg glide bombs, FT-9/50 50 kg bombs, FT-10/25 25 kg bombs, GB-7/50 50 kg precision-guided munitions, and GB-4/100 PGMs. The AR-2 is a 20 kg missile with a 5 kg armour-piercing warhead and a maximum range of 8 km. The CH-5, with its larger airframe, can carry a payload of 1,000 kg and up to 16 missiles at once, and is compatible with the AR-1 and AR-2 missiles. The CH-7 can carry antiradiation missiles and standoff weapons. The CH-6 strike variant possesses a 450 kg payload.

The Rainbow series has seen operational deployment in several conflicts. Iraq utilized CH-4s against the Islamic State during the 2013-2017 war, while Nigeria employed CH-3s against the Boko Haram insurgency in 2015. In Myanmar, the Tatmadaw reportedly used CH-3s for counterinsurgency operations in 2015 and 2016 during the Myanmar civil war. Furthermore, the Saudi-led coalition deployed CH-4s, operated by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, against the Houthi movement during the Yemeni civil war, with over twelve Saudi Arabian CH-4s being lost by July 2022. Some operators have reported issues with the aircraft's reliability, such as the Nigerian Air Force, which operated their CH-3s infrequently due to poor quality.

Main Variants:

• CH-1: A small, fixed-wing reconnaissance UAV whose development started in 2000.

• CH-3: A fixed-wing unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) with a 70 kg payload, capable of carrying the AR-1 air-to-ground missile and FT-9 guided bomb, and which first flew in 2007.

• CH-4A: A reconnaissance drone capable of a 3500–5000 km range and a 30- to 40-hour endurance life.

• CH-4B: A mixed attack and reconnaissance system with provisions for 6 weapons and a payload of up to 250 to 345 kg.

• CH-5: A large UAV with a wingspan of 21 meters, a payload of 1,000 kg, and an endurance life of up to 60 hours.

Technical specifications

All operators

United Arab Emirates • China • Saudi Arabia