The CH-3 is armed version of the unarmed CH-1/CH-2 drone series. All of the products come from China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) and are part of the CASC "Rainbow" line of UAVs that began with the CH-1 and has since evolved into the CH-901 model. The series has found some global takers to date (2015) and provides modern tactical over-battlefield capabilities at a much reduced cost when compared to contemporary Western UAV products.
Externally, the CH-3 carries swept-back wing mainplanes along a streamlined fuselage that sports forward canards for additional stability and control. The mainplanes showcase large vertical fins ("winglets") at their tips and sport a single hardpoint each for the carrying and delivery of guided-missile ordnance. The undercarriage is wheeled, though fixed, under the aircraft's mass. At the rear of the fuselage is the engine installation which drives a three-bladed propeller unit in a "pusher" arrangement. Specifications include a wingspan of 8 meters while performance displays a 12-hour endurance window with a payload maximum of 80 kilograms. Range is 2,400 kilometers.
The Nigerian and Pakistani armies are confirmed operators of the CH-3 series. CH-3 designates early models while the CH-3A is a follow-up product which increases the line's mission payload (up to 180 kilograms maximum) while reducing the endurance window by half to six hours. This model also features a satellite data link as standard.
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November 2020 - Nigeria is set to receive a pair of CH-3 UAVs from China.
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Ground Attack (Bombing, Strafing)
Ability to conduct aerial bombing of ground targets by way of (but not limited to) guns, bombs, missiles, rockets, and the like.
✓Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR), Scout
Surveil ground targets / target areas to assess environmental threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.
✓Unmanned Capability
Aircraft inherently designed (or later developed) with an unmanned capability to cover a variety of over-battlefield roles.
Length
23.0 ft (7.00 m)
Width/Span
26.2 ft (8.00 m)
Height
6.6 ft (2.00 m)
(Showcased structural values pertain to the base CASC CH-3 Rainbow production variant)
Installed:
1 x Conventional engine driving three-bladed propelled in pusher arrangement.
Range
1,491 mi (2,400 km | 4,445 nm)
(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the base CASC CH-3 Rainbow production variant. Performance specifications showcased above are subject to environmental factors as well as aircraft configuration. Estimates are made when Real Data not available. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)
Two underwing hardpoints for the carrying of guided-missile ordnance. Mission payload of up 60 to 100 kilograms (model dependent - see variants listing).
Supported Types
(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)
Hardpoint Mountings: 2
CH-3 "Rainbow" - Base Series Designation; initial production model.
CH-3A - Increased mission payload; reduced endurance.
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods.
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Algeria; Iraq; Nigeria; Pakistan
