CASC Rainbow

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CASC Rainbow (Chinese: 彩虹; pinyin: cǎihóng) (abbreviated as CH) is a series of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) developed by the China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics, an entity under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). The China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics is also known as the 11th Academy of CASC or 701st Research Institute.

Variants #

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CH-1 #

The CH-1 is the first of the Rainbow (CH) series UAVs. The general designer was Mr. Shi Wen (石文), who is also the general designer of the CH-2, the successor of the CH-1, CASC PW-1, the derivative of the CH-1, and CASC PW-2, the derivative of the CH-2. The CH-1 program began in 2000, and resulted in the establishment of the UAV program, which led to other following designs. The CH-1 is intended mainly for reconnaissance and surveillance missions.
Specifications:

Wingspan (m): 4.4
Length (m): 3.75
Height (m): 0.87
Weight (kg): 40
Payload (kg): 4.5
Fuel (kg): 26
Max speed (km/h): 170
Cruise speed (km/h): 120 – 150
Normal radius (km): > 100
Normal operating altitude (km): 1 – 3
Ceiling (km): 4.6
Max range (km): 740 @ 1 km altitude and 124 km/h speed
Endurance (h): 6
Rate of climb (m/s): 4.3
Turn radius (m): 290
g overload: – 1.5 to 3
Launch: rocket assisted, and catapult mounted on vehicle
Recovery: parachute
Max wind scale allowed for operation: 5

CH-2 #

The CH-2 is the second of the Rainbow (CH) series UAVs and is a development of the earlier CH-1, with identical twin-boom layout. Like the CH-1, propulsion is provided by a two-blade propeller driven by a pusher engine mounted at the rear end of the fuselage. The UAV is launched via a vehicle mounted catapult with rocket assisted take-off. The CH-2 is mainly intended for reconnaissance and surveillance missions.

CH-3 #

The CH-3 is a fixed wing unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) of the Rainbow series. The CH-3 adopts an unusual canard layout, similar to the Jetcruzer 450 and the Rutan VariEze. This means that the CH-3 lacks a centrally located vertical tail, with large winglets and canards instead. Propulsion is provided by a three-blade propeller driven by a pusher engine mounted on the empennage. The main landing wheels of the tricycle landing gear has a fairing to reduce drag.
In January, 2015, a CH-3 drone was reported to have crashed in northern Nigeria. It is believed that the drone was involved in Nigeria’s struggle against the Boko Haram militant group. China supplied the CH-3 to Nigeria government prior to 2014, along with YC-200 guided bombs and AR-1 air-to-ground missiles. In February of 2016, Nigeria announced a successful drone strike in its ongoing war against Boko Haram.
China delivered 12 CH-3s to Myanmar in 2014-2015 to fight rebels.
NESCOM Burraq is thought to be mostly influenced by the CH-3 design.
Specifications:

Wingspan (m): 8
Range (km): 960
Endurance (h): 12
Payload (kg): 60 – 80
Ceiling (km): 4

CH-3A #

The CH-3A is a development of the earlier CH-3, with both sharing an identical layout. Improvements of the CH-3A over the CH-3, includes the maximum payload increasing to more than 100 kg and a satellite data link being incorporated.
The CH3A is a multipurpose UAV which can also carry AR 1 laser guided rockets for an attacking role. It is also widely rumored that the Myanmar Air Force operates them, and some images have been found.
Specification:

Payload (kg): 180 maximum
Endurance (h): 6 with maximum payload
Ceiling (Km): 4
Max Range (km): 960

The CH-4(D/E) at Airshow China Zhuhai 2022

CH-4 #

Externally, the CH-4 looks almost identical to the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper, with the only distinct visual difference between the two UAVs being the ventral fin below the V-tail on MQ-9 which is absent on the CH-4. There are two versions, the CH-4A and CH-4B. The CH-4A is a reconnaissance drone (capable of a 3500–5000 km range and a 30- to 40-hour endurance life) while the CH-4B is a mixed attack and reconnaissance system with provisions for 6 weapons and a payload of up to 250 to 345 kg.
CH-4 is capable of firing air-to-ground missiles from an altitude of 5,000 meters (~16,400 feet), meaning the aircraft is capable of staying outside of the effective range of most anti-aircraft guns. It also allows the CH-4 to be able to fire from a position that provides a wider area of view.
Vasiliy Kashin, a Chinese specialist at Moscow’s Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, said that the CH-4B UCAV has been exported to Myanmar, Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Algeria and Iraq. Myanmar is also producing a CH-4 UAV under license with an agreed transfer of technology.
Iraq has received an unknown number of CH-4B models in early 2015, enabling numerous battlefield reversals in conflicts surrounding Mosul and Ramadi against ISIL.
Saqr-1 is thought to be mostly influenced by the CH-4.
Specifications:

Length: 8.5 m (28 ft)
Wing Span: 18 m (59 ft)
Max Take Off Weight: 1,300 kg (2,900 lb)
Payload: 345 kg (761 lb)
Endurance: 40 hours
Powerplant: 1 x 1000 Hp engine
Maximum Speed: 235 knots (435 km/h)
Cruise Speed: 180 knots (330 km/h)
Communications range: >1,000 km (620 mi) with SatCom (1,500-2,000 km for CH-4B), ~150 km (93 mi) from Ground Control Station (GCS)
Armaments: AR-1 missile, AR-2 missile (20 kg, 5 kg armour-piercing warhead, inertial guidance system with terminal semi-active laser (SAL) seeker, maximum range 8 km), AKD-10 air-to-surface anti-tank missile, BRMI-90 90mm guided rocket, FT-7/130 130 kg glide bombs, FT-9/50 50 kg bomb, FT-10/25 25 kg bomb, GB-7/50 50 kg precision-guided munition (PGM), GB-4/100 PGM.

CH-5H at Airshow China Zhuhai 2022

CH-5 #

The CH-5 is the latest UCAV of the Rainbow series, with a wingspan of 21 metres, a payload of 1,000 kg, a maximum takeoff weight of over 3 tonnes, a service ceiling of 9 km, an endurance life of up to 60 hours and a range of 10,000 km. Thanks to a shared data link system, it can cooperate with CH-3 and CH-4 drones. It conducted its maiden flight in August 2015 at its first airshow flight (in northern Hebei province) in July 2017. The drone can carry a maximum of 16 missiles at a single time. There were also plans to extend its range up to 20,000 km. Chinese officials claimed the CH-5 Rainbow was similar in performance to the US MQ-9 Reaper and “may come in at less than half the price”. Compared to the Garrett TPE331 turboprop engine mounted on the Reaper, the CH-5 is equipped with an unidentified turbo-charged piston engine with less than half the horsepower. This design consideration limits the maximum altitude of the CH-5 to 9 km compared to the 12–15 km of the Reaper, but it also extends CH-5’s endurance life to 60 hours compared to the Reaper’s 14 hours.
A more recent engine variant, with a 300kW piston engine from Anhui Hangrui Co., will increase the service ceiling to 12 km and the endurance life to 120 hours.
Armaments: AR-1 missile, AR-2 missile (20 kg, 5 kg armour-piercing warhead, inertial guidance system with terminal semi-active laser (SAL) seeker, maximum range 8 km)

CH-6 at Airshow China Zhuhai 2022

CH-6 #

The CH-6 is a large UAV with a MTOW of 7800 kg with two variants: a strike variant with 18-hour endurance life and a 450 kg payload; a reconnaissance variant with 21-hour endurance life and a 120 kg payload. It was in development in 2021.

CH-7 #

The CH-7 is a stealth, flying wing UCAV similar to the X-47B, with a 22m wingspan and a 10m length. It can fly at 920 km/h and at an altitude of 13,000m. The endurance life is around 15 hours with an operational radius of 2000 km. It can carry antiradiation missiles and standoff weapons. According to its chief designer, “the CH-7 can intercept radar electronic signals, and simultaneously detect, verify and monitor high-value targets, such as hostile command stations, missile launch sites and naval vessels”. It was planned to make its maiden flight in 2019 and commence production from 2022.

CH-10 #

The CH-10 is a tiltrotor UAV.

CH-91 #

The CH-91 is a fixed-wing UAV in a twin-boom layout with an inverted v-tail with a pair of skids acting as the landing gear. Propulsion is provided by a two-blade propeller driven by a pusher engine mounted at the rear end of the fuselage. The CH-91 is mainly intended for reconnaissance and surveillance missions. It is also known as the BZK-008.

CH-92A of Serbian Air Force and Air Defence

CH-92 #

CH-92 is a fixed-wing UAV in the conventional V-tail layout with a tricycle landing gear. Propulsion is provided by a propeller driven by a pusher engine mounted at the empennage. The CH-92 is mainly intended for reconnaissance, surveillance and attack missions.

CH-802 #

The CH-802 is a fixed wing micro air vehicle (MAV) in the conventional layout with an elevated high-wing configuration and V-tail. The CH-802 has a cylindrical fuselage with propulsion being provided by a two-blade propeller driven by a tractor brushless electric motor atop the fuselage. The CH-803 is mainly intended for reconnaissance and surveillance missions. The CH-802 program began in 2007 and was completed in 2008.
Specifications:

Wingspan (m): 3
Length (m): 1.8
Weight (kg): 6.5
Payload (kg): 1
Radius (km): 30
Normal operating altitude (km): 0.3 – 1
Normal radius (km): 30 – 50
Cruise speed (km/h): 60
Endurance (h): 2.5
Ceiling (km): 4
Launch: by hand

CH-803 #

The CH-803 is a fixed-wing UAV with a cylindrical fuselage and canards, but without the tailplane. Propulsion is provided by a two-blade propeller driven by a tractor engine mounted in the nose. Another unique feature of the CH-803 is that it adopts a forward-swept wing. The CH-803 is mainly intended for reconnaissance and surveillance missions. The CH-803 program began in 2008 and was completed in 2011.
Specifications:

Wingspan (m): 3
Length (m): 1.8
Weight (kg): 18
Payload (kg): 3.5
Radius (km): 30
Normal operating altitude (km): 0.5 – 1.5
Normal radius (km): 50 – 80
Cruise speed (km/h): 80 – 110
Endurance (h): 5
Ceiling (km): 3.5
Launch: catapult
Recovery: parachute

CH-817 #

VTOL micro-surveillance and attack UAV with a top speed of 64.8 km/h and an endurance of 15 minutes.

CH-901 #

The CH-901 is a fixed-wing UAV in the conventional layout with a cylindrical fuselage and a high-wing configuration. Propulsion is provided by a two-blade propeller driven by a pusher engine mounted at the end of empennage. The CH-901 is designed as an UCAV.

CH-902 #

Fixed-wing cylindrical UAV.

Operational history #

Royal Saudi Land Force #

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have been operating the CH-4, along the Wing Loong II drone in its military intervention in Yemen.
On 12 July 2018, Houthi rebels shot down an armed Saudi Arabian CH-4 drone near Asir border.
On 8 August 2018, Houthi rebels shot down an armed Saudi Arabian CH-4B drone near Tuwal border crossing.
On 23 December 2018, Houthi rebels shot down a Saudi Arabian CH-4 drone. in Saada province, northern Yemen and displayed the wreckage of the drone.
On 11 April 2019, a Saudi Arabian CH-4 drone was lost over Yemen, according to Houthi media the Saudi drone was shot down by friendly fire.
On 7 January 2020, Houthi rebels shot down an armed Saudi Arabian a CH-4B drone over Jawf province.
On 22 December 2020, Houthi rebels shot down a Saudi Arabian CH-4B drone, serial number 20311 on the district of Madghal in Marib province.
On 12 February 2021, Houthis intercepted a Saudi Arabian CASC Rainbow CH-4 drone in Meghdal, Marib Governorate, displaying footage of the CH-4 being shot down.
On 23 March 2021, a Houthi spokesman said that Houthi forces shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone operating in Marib, however a day later the Houthis published footage of the intercept that depicted a drone resembling the CH-4.
On 23 May 2021, a Saudi Coalition CH-4 drone is shot down by Houthi fighters in Al-Maraziq, Al-Jawf governorate. Later Houthi media wing released a video of the shootdown of the drone.
On 6 October 2021, Houthis reported the shot down of a Saudi Arabian CASC Rainbow CH-4 drone in Juba district, southern Marib province by Houthi Air Defenses, later displaying footage of the drone wreck.

United Arab Emirates Air Force #

The United Arab Emirates Air Force have been operating the CH-4, along the Wing Loong II drone in its military intervention in Yemen.

Comparison #

Comparison of major Chinese made military UAVs

Model

Manufacturer

Armaments

Takeoff weight

Engine type

Maximum cruise speed

Operational endurance

CH-1

CASC

220 kg

Piston

140 km/h

6 hours

CH-2

CASC

220 kg

Piston

160 km/h

8 hours

CH-3

CASC

Yes, 80 kg

650 kg

Piston

220 km/h

12 hours

CH-4

CASC

Yes, 345 kg

1330 kg

Piston

180 km/h

30 hours for recon / 12 hours for strike

CH-5

CASC

Yes, 1000 kg

3300 kg

Turboprop

220 km/h

60 hours for recon / 30 hours with 8 AR-1 missiles

GJ-1 (Wing Loong 1)

Chengdu

Yes, 200 kg

1100 kg

Piston

280 km/h

20 hours

GJ-2 (Wing Loong 2)

Chengdu

Yes, 480 kg

4200 kg

Turboprop

370 km/h

32 hours / 20 hours at max speed

Wing Loong 3

Chengdu

Yes, 2300 kg

6200 kg

Turboprop

Unknown

40 hours

Chengdu WZ-10

Chengdu

Yes, 400 kg

3200 kg

Turbojet

370 km/h

32 hours

WJ-700

CASIC

Yes

3500 kg

Turbofan

Unknown

20 hours

WJ-600 A/D

CASIC

Yes

Unknown

Turbofan

850 km/h

5 hours

TB-001A

Tengdeng

Yes, 1200 kg

3200 kg

Turboprop

Unknown

35 hours at 1000 kg payload

Operators #

Algeria

Algerian People’s National Armed Forces: CH-3 and CH-4

Democratic Republic of Congo

Received nine CH-4s in July 2023.

Ethiopia

Ethiopian National Defense Force: CH-4

Indonesia

Indonesian Armed Forces: six CH-4Bs

Iraq

Iraqi Armed Forces: 14 CH-4Bs

Myanmar

Myanmar Air Force: Acquired 12 CH-3As and some CH-4s for precision airstrike mission. Myanmar is also producing the CH-4 model with the transfer of technology under license.

Nigeria