The CH-5 is the latest drone in the Rainbow series, which made its first flight in 2017, and can integrate with the CH-3 and CH-4 drones via a common data link. It is considered a competitor to the American MQ-9 reaper and performs the same tasks.
The CH-5 version is distinguished from other unmanned aircraft that use turboprop engines in that it uses a rebound piston engine that works with heavy oil, which improves consumption and makes it much less than the consumption of turboprop engines, giving the CH-5 Drones a continuous flight capacity of 60 hours. The future upgraded version is expected to reach 100-120 hours while the Predator B has a battery life of only 20 hours.
The new engine feature of the CH-5 march gave it wide capabilities to perform multiple tasks such as:
– Carrying out reconnaissance and ground strikes missions
It works as a small early warning aircraft
Acts as an integrated air-to-ground joint command platform
It performs the tasks of maritime patrols and surveillance, as it is equipped with a ship identification system and a marine radar.
The CH-5 drone uses AR-1 and AR-2 air-to-ground missiles, which differ from the Hellfire heavy anti-tank missile in the field of counter-terrorism in that they are light, low-cost and hit the target without causing collateral damage.
These AR-1 and AR-2 missiles are characterized by their light weight, high accuracy of ground strikes and low cost, which enables the CH-5 drone to install a larger number of missiles, which increases the effectiveness of the drone and reduces the operational cost of the UAV.
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
▪️ Wingspan: 21 metres
▪️ Payload: 1000 kg
▪️Maximum take-off weight: more than 3 tons
▪️ Service ceiling: 10 km
▪️ Duration of work: up to 60 hours
▪️ Range: 10,000 km
It is said that the receipt will be at the end of 2022, and reminding that Algeria had previously contracted 24 Wing Loong 2 drones, which will also be delivered soon.