OVERVIEW
The CASC CH-5 Rainbow is a newer, more potent, attack addition to the existing Rainbow UAV line to emerge from China.
The CASC CH-5 Rainbow is a newer, more potent, attack addition to the existing Rainbow UAV line to emerge from China.
YEAR: 2017
STATUS: Active, In-Service
MANUFACTURER(S): China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) - China
PRODUCTION: 50
OPERATORS: China; Saudi Arabia
SPECIFICATIONS
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the CASC CH-5 Rainbow model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the CASC CH-5 Rainbow model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.
CREW: 0
LENGTH: 36.75 feet (11.2 meters)
WIDTH: 68.90 feet (21 meters)
HEIGHT: 12.47 feet (3.8 meters)
WEIGHT (EMPTY): 4,905 pounds (2,225 kilograms)
WEIGHT (MTOW): 5,997 pounds (2,720 kilograms)
ENGINE: 1 x Turbocharged conventional engine driving a multi-bladed propeller unit at the rear of the fuselage in pusher arrangement.
SPEED (MAX): 298 miles-per-hour (480 kilometers-per-hour; 259 knots)
RANGE: 6,214 miles (10,000 kilometers; 5,400 nautical miles)
CEILING: 29,528 feet (9,000 meters; 5.59 miles)
ARMAMENT
Variable: Precision-guided drop and air-launched munitions to include bombs and missiles. Mission payload of up to 2,205lb.
Variable: Precision-guided drop and air-launched munitions to include bombs and missiles. Mission payload of up to 2,205lb.
VARIANTS
Series Model Variants
• CH-5 - Base Series Designation
Series Model Variants
• CH-5 - Base Series Designation
HISTORY
Detailing the development and operational history of the CASC CH-5 Rainbow Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV). Entry last updated on 1/2/2018. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com.
Detailing the development and operational history of the CASC CH-5 Rainbow Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV). Entry last updated on 1/2/2018. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com.
The CASC CH-5 Rainbow is one of the newer additions to the indigenous Chinese Rainbow line of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The type has been developed for the Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) meaning it can carry (and deliver with a level of precision) munitions of various types. The CH-5 more or less follows the American MQ-9 Reaper UCAV in both its form and function.
The aircraft exhibits a straight wing mainplane configuration and seats its conventional turbocharged piston-driven engine (of about 450 horsepower output) at the rear of the fuselage driving a multi-bladed propeller unit in "pusher" fashion. The vehicle is fully integrated into the existing CH-3 and CH-4 framework due to a shared data link infrastructure. The CH-5 has a reported mission endurance window of up to sixty hours, can fly at alttiudes nearing 30,000 feet and can carry a mission payload up to 2,205lb. The structure includes a wingspan of 68.8 feet and a Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) of 6,000lb.
The aircraft exhibits a straight wing mainplane configuration and seats its conventional turbocharged piston-driven engine (of about 450 horsepower output) at the rear of the fuselage driving a multi-bladed propeller unit in "pusher" fashion. The vehicle is fully integrated into the existing CH-3 and CH-4 framework due to a shared data link infrastructure. The CH-5 has a reported mission endurance window of up to sixty hours, can fly at alttiudes nearing 30,000 feet and can carry a mission payload up to 2,205lb. The structure includes a wingspan of 68.8 feet and a Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) of 6,000lb.
Planned future revisions to the series will include extended loitering times, improved operational ranges and broadened support for more potent munitions options.
Saudi industry is making plans to produce the CH-5 locally for the Royal Saudi Air Force.
Saudi industry is making plans to produce the CH-5 locally for the Royal Saudi Air Force.
MEDIA
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Our Data Modules allow for quick visual reference when comparing a single entry against contemporary designs. Areas covered include general ratings, speed assessments, and relative ranges based on distances between major cities.
Relative Maximum Speed Rating
Hi: 300mph
Lo: 150mph
This entry's maximum listed speed (298mph).
Graph average of 225 miles-per-hour.
City-to-City Ranges
NYC
LDN
LDN
PAR
PAR
BER
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MSK
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TKY
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SYD
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LAX
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NYC
Graph showcases the CASC CH-5 Rainbow's operational range (on internal fuel) when compared to distances between major cities.
Aviation Era
Useful in showcasing the era cross-over of particular aircraft/aerospace designs.
Unit Production Comparison
Comm. Market HI*: 44,000 units
Military Market HI**: 36,183 units
50
50
Altitude Visualization
