China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) will use the Airshow China 2022, scheduled to take place in Zhuhai from November 8 to 13, to showcase a new cruise munition for its Rainbow (Rainbow) CH-806 Small Long Long. Endurance reconnaissance drone.
CH-806 was developed by the China Academy of Aerospace and Aerospace Power (CAAA, also known as the Eleventh Academy) in Beijing. It adopts a flying wing fuselage, with a length of about 2m, a wingspan of about 5.6m, and a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 80kg. , including a payload capacity of 18 kg.
According to CAAA, the CH-806 is powered by a rear-mounted piston engine that drives a propulsion propeller to achieve a cruising speed of 90-130 km/h and a top speed of up to 180 km/h. The company cites a range of up to 1,000km and a flight endurance of 12 hours, while carrying a 15kg payload of high explosives or explosive debris, with a typical cruise altitude of 500-2,000m, although it can still reach 5,000m in operation upper limit meters.
Takeoff was achieved by catapult, with a line-of-sight command distance of approximately 200 km, although recovery of the CH-806’s successful target or self-destruction would not normally be expected. However, the command range can be extended with an optional satellite/INS integrated guidance system.
The CAAA also notes that the CH-806 can be equipped with a three-in-one situational awareness kit that combines daylight and thermal electro-optical cameras with micro-synthetic aperture radar (SAR) to enable operator-controlled terminal guidance, although loitering munitions are capable of 4 km and 3 km at night or with obstructions to identify 4 x 6 m targets, claiming strike accuracy up to 5 m CEP (possibly circular error).
A self-contained truck provides storage, transport, launch, and command and control, and the complete system includes the vehicle, up to four CH-806 loitering munitions and associated ground control data links, and security measures.
The CH-806 can fly autonomously using pre-determined waypoints to the edge of its 200-kilometer command range, then enter an autonomous flight mode to target any potential threats on its planned flight path. Without human intervention, the aircraft will conduct autonomous strike engagements.
by Jr Ng
