China’s latest stealth drones go on display at Airshow China 2018
- CH-7 is a high-altitude, high-speed machine capable of carrying out a range of missions, from reconnaissance to air combat
- Drone is expected to make its maiden flight next year and enter mass production in 2022
China is showing off the latest addition to its range of stealth drones this week as the nation’s top aerospace manufacturers continue to break new ground in the field.
While the CH-7, or Rainbow-7, unmanned aerial vehicle is not yet ready to fly, a full-size model of it is currently on display at the 12th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China 2018, which runs until Sunday in the southern city of Zhuhai.
The CH family of drones is developed by the China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics, a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, and is one of the country’s bestsellers on the international market.
The CH-7 is a high-altitude, high-speed, long-endurance stealth drone capable of carrying out a range of missions, from reconnaissance and early warning to air defence suppression, ground attack and air combat.
It has a wingspan of 22 metres (72 feet), a length of 10 metres and maximum take-off weight of 13 tonnes. It can fly at altitudes of up to 13,000 metres and has a top speed of 919km/h (571mph).