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CASC CH-3 Rainbow


Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) [ 2012 ]



The CASC CH-3 is just one in a series of UAVs found under the Rainbow name produced by Chinese industry.



Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 11/18/2020 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

VIEW SPECIFICATIONS [+]
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.

In October 2015, the Iraqi government released footage of a CASC Rainbow UAV being deployed operationally - proving its existence within the Iraqi military inventory and showcasing a new willingness by the government to expand beyond its purchases of American-made equipment.©MilitaryFactory.com
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.

November 2020 - Nigeria is set to receive a pair of CH-3 UAVs from China.

Specifications



China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) - China
Manufacturer(s)
Algeria; Iraq; Nigeria; Pakistan
Operators National flag of Algeria National flag of Iraq National flag of Nigeria National flag of Pakistan
2012
Service Year
China
National Origin
Active
Project Status
0
(UNMANNED)
Crew
500
Units


GROUND ATTACK
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
Surveil ground targets / target areas to assess environmental threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.
UNMANNED
Aircraft inherently designed (or later developed) with an unmanned capability to cover a variety of over-battlefield roles.


23.0 ft
(7.00 meters)
Length
26.2 ft
(8.00 meters)
Width/Span
6.6 ft
(2.00 meters)
Height


1 x Conventional engine driving three-bladed propelled in pusher arrangement.
Propulsion
1,491 miles
(2,400 km | 1,296 nm)
Range
Two underwing hardpoints for the carrying of guided-missile ordnance. Mission payload of up 60 to 100 kilograms (model dependent - see variants listing).


2
Hardpoints


CH-3 "Rainbow" - Base Series Designation; initial production model.
CH-3A - Increased mission payload; reduced endurance.


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