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CASC CH-4 Rainbow

2014 MODERN AIRCRAFT DRONE TECHNOLOGY

CASC CH-4 Rainbow Story

The CASC CH-4 is a special Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) originating in China. It is said to be largely based on the existing line of proven American MQ-9 Reaper UCAVs. Both are destined for strike missions with a variety of precision-guided munitions and are designed to linger in target areas for hours (the CH-4 has a 14-hour mission duration window).

Externally, the comparison with the American product is justified, since the Chinese interpretation of the proven machine is similar to the MQ-9 not only in the outwardly swept tail fins (though no pelvic fins), the straight-wing main aircraft and the rigid Tricycle landing gear - Chinese industry has never shied away from replicating foreign solutions to local problems.

CH-4 is one of CASC's "Rainbow" series of unmanned aerial systems, including CH-1, CH-2 and CH-3. At launch, the CH-4 represented the largest of the Rainbow lineup and is currently marketed in two distinct forms: the "CH-4A" for reconnaissance primarily and the "CH-4B" for armed reconnaissance/general attack .

Like the Reaper design, the CH-4 UCAV relies on a sleek airframe, including optics, avionics, fuel storage, and engine mounts (the engine drives a similar three-blade propeller unit, located on the fuselage in a "push" arrangement). In the "chin" position is a blister that houses a sensor suite with infrared (IR) and tag (with zoom) capabilities, as well as a laser rangefinder.

The weapon supports modern Chinese Anti-Tank Missiles (ATGMs) and precision-guided drop bombs - up to 770 lb artillery on display on up to 4 to 6 underwing hardpoints.

Currently (2017) the only known CH-4 operators are Egypt, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. In the ongoing war, the Iraqi military has used CH-4s against ISIS forces, while Saudi Arabia has deployed parts of its fleet against Houthi rebels.

CASC is negotiating with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to arrange local production of hundreds of CH-4 drones for the oil-rich country.

The CH-5 is a slightly more advanced version of the CH-4, which first flew in August 2015. This product features improved performance specifications, including greater endurance and altitude.

Specification

Basic

Year:

2014

Status:

active, on duty

Staff:

Production

[500 units]:

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) - China

Roles

- Ground Attack

- Reconnaissance (RECCE)

- driverless

Dimensions

Length:

36.09 ft (11 m)

Width:

65.62 ft (20 m)

Height:

3.8m

Weight

Curb Weight:

1,600 kg

MTOW:

4,500 kg

(difference: +6,393 pt)

Performance

1 x conventional engine, estimated at 900 hp, driving a three-blade thruster arrangement.

Performance

Maximum Speed:

217 mph (350 km/h; 189 knots)

Service Limit:

47,375 ft (14,440 m; 8.97 mi)

Maximum range:

1,709 miles (2,750 km; 1,485 nautical miles)

Armor

Four to six underwing brackets for carrying anti-tank/air-to-surface missiles and precision/conventional dropping bombs/ords. Mission payloads up to 770 lbs.