CASC CH-3 Rainbow

CASC CH-3 Rainbow Story

The CH-3 is the armed version of the unarmed CH-1/CH-2 drone series. All products originate from China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) and are part of CASC's "Rainbow" UAV series, which started with the CH-1 and later evolved into the CH-901 model.

To date (2015), the series has found some global buyers and offers modern tactical battlefield capabilities at a much lower cost than modern Western UAV products.

Externally, the CH-3 carries a swept-wing main aircraft along a streamlined fuselage that supports forward-facing canards for added stability and control. The main aircraft ends with large vertical tails ("winglets"), each with a hardpoint for transport and delivery of missiles.

The landing gear rolls under the mass of the aircraft, although it is fixed. At the rear of the fuselage is the engine unit, which drives a three-bladed propeller unit in a "thrust" arrangement. Specifications include an 8-meter wingspan, while performance suggests a 12-hour endurance window with a maximum payload of 80kg.

The range is 2,400 kilometers.

The Nigerian and Pakistani militaries are confirmed operators of the CH-3 series. The CH-3 represents an earlier model, while the CH-3A is a follow-up that increases the line's mission payload (up to 180kg) while cutting the endurance window in half to 6 hours.

This model also comes standard with a satellite data connection.

In October 2015, the Iraqi government released footage of a CASC Rainbow drone in combat use - proving its presence in Iraq's military stockpile and showing the government's renewed willingness to expand its purchases of U.S.-made equipment beyond scope.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes