CASC/CAAA's largest Caihong (Rainbow) series armed MALE drone, with a 21 m wingspan, up to 60-hour endurance and 1,200 kg payload for reconnaissance and strike. Larger sibling of the CH-4.
| Country | China |
|---|---|
| Subcategory | Fixed-wing |
| Subtype | MALE UCAV |
| Role | Strike/ISR |
| Class | MALE |
| Classification | UCAV |
| Mission | ISR, strike |
| Variants | CH-5; extended-range variant |
| MTOW (kg) | 3300 |
| Operators | China, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Algeria, Pakistan |
| Frame type | Fixed-wing |
| Length (m) | 11.3 |
| Propulsion | Piston |
| Range (km) | 10000 |
| Wingspan (m) | 21 |
| Combat-proven | Unknown |
| Export status | Exported |
| Launch method | Runway takeoff |
| Autonomy level | Semi-autonomous |
| Endurance (min) | 3600 |
| Recovery method | Runway landing |
| Year introduced | 2017 |
| Max payload (kg) | 1200 |
| Standard sensors | EO/IR; SAR |
| Production status | In production |
| Service ceiling (m) | 9000 |
| Conflicts deployed in | Middle East anti-insurgent operations (reported) |
| Airframe / lift type | Fixed-wing |
| Control / autonomy level | Semi-autonomous (human-on-the-loop) |
| Domain | Aerial (UAV/UAS) |
| Mission / use case – military | Armed UCAV, ISR |
| Origin / supply chain | Military-grade |
| Propulsion | ICE – petrol |
| Range / endurance | Long endurance (>24 hrs) |
| Signature / detectability | RCS – large |
| Strike depth / operational role | Recon-strike complex (ISR + strike paired, e.g. Mavic + FPV, Orlan + Lancet) |
| Threat vector | Surveillance / reconnaissance |
| Weight / class | Class III – Strike / Combat (>600 kg), FAA >25 kg (Part 137 / waiver) |