Air system · MALE
CH-4 Rainbow
Reconnaissance / Strike
Also known as: CH-4 / Caihong-4 / Rainbow-4
CH-4 Rainbow overview
The CH-4 Rainbow (Caihong-4) is a medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). Available in two variants - the CH-4A for reconnaissance and CH-4B for armed operations - the system has become one of China's most exported military drones. The CH-4B can carry up to 345 kg of munitions on four hardpoints, including AR-1 semi-active laser-guided missiles and FT-5 small guided bombs, with an endurance of approximately 30 hours.
The CH-4 has been exported to numerous countries in the Middle East and Africa including Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and several African nations. Iraqi forces have used the CH-4 operationally against ISIS targets, representing one of the first confirmed combat uses of a Chinese armed drone. As of 2025, the CH-4 continues to serve with multiple operators though it is being increasingly supplanted by the more capable CH-5 and Wing Loong II. Its significance lies in being one of China's most combat-tested drone exports, demonstrating that Chinese unmanned systems can perform effectively in real-world combat conditions.
Armament
AR-1 ATM, FT-9 bomb, CS/BBM1 bomb
Development and operational timeline
- CH-4B armed variant completes first flight
- Iraq becomes first combat operator, using CH-4 against ISIS
- Jordan and Saudi Arabia acquire CH-4 systems
- CH-4 production exceeds 100 units for export
- CH-4 remains in service with multiple Middle Eastern operators