China Aerospace Long March International (ALIT) will highlight its CH-4 (Cai Hong 4, or CH-4) medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (MALE UAV) at the 2022 Thailand Defense and Security Conference.
Inspired by the American-made RQ-1 Predator design, development of the CH-4 drone began in 2009, with the first production-ready example launched in 2014. Fiberglass matrix composites are widely used to reduce the overall weight of aircraft and their radar cross section (RCS).
Two variants are currently offered: the CH-4A, which is primarily used for reconnaissance missions and has a flight endurance of 30 hours; and the strike-oriented CH-4B, which can carry a 760 lb (345 kg) weapons payload but has a flight time of 760 lb (345 kg). Shorter, 14 hours.
More than 30 CH-4 drones, worth $700 million, have been exported since late 2014 to 2018, when the vehicle was launched to customers in Iraq, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, according to submissions to the National Science Awards.
Recently, the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) purchased an undisclosed number of CH-4B drones equipped with satellite communication systems to extend their operational range to 1,080 nautical miles (2,000 km). TNI-AU is believed to be the first air force in Southeast Asia to have an armed drone capability and received AR-2 precision-guided missiles for its CH-4B fleet in April 2021.
An electronic warfare pod, possibly used for communications or signals intelligence gathering missions, was also observed to be equipped with one of the TNI-AU’s CH-4 drones.
Pakistan has received five CH-4 drones, according to the Official Import and Export (EXIM) log published by the government. The drone delivering ALIT will arrive in the South Asian country in January 2021. However, it is unclear which variant of the CH-4 Islamabad ordered, and whether the delivery was part of a larger drone order or just limited access to this drone type, possibly for testing.
Upgraded versions of the CH-4 have also emerged in recent years, including long-range variants designed for extended maritime patrol and surveillance operations.
by Jr Ng
