CH-3 / Caihong-3
Medium-size Rainbow-family aircraft with a dated official specification and continuing manufacturer-described variant development.
- Country / region
- China
- Programme status
- Supplier-reported status
- Sources reviewed
- 21 Sept 2026
- Primary domain
- Air
- System type
- Multirole aircraft
- Developer / manufacturer
- CASC — China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics
- Origin / production countries
- China
- Other names
- Caihong-3; Rainbow-3; 彩虹-3
- Variants / configurations
- Not distinguished in reviewed sources
- Operators / programme customers
- Not identified in reviewed sources
Evidence & current status
Dated 2011 values are preserved explicitly. A 2025 manufacturer account confirms ongoing family work but does not establish uniform current specifications or customer inventories.
Role & capabilities
- Surveillance
- Communications relay
- Modular mission equipment
Specifications in context
- Airframe
- Not established in the reviewed public sources.
Public evidence gap. No estimate or neighbouring variant value has been substituted.
Source - Launch / recovery
- Wheeled take-off and landing
2011 baseline configuration.
Source - Propulsion
- Not established in the reviewed public sources.
Public evidence gap. No estimate or neighbouring variant value has been substituted.
Source - Dimensions
- Not established in the reviewed public sources.
Public evidence gap. No estimate or neighbouring variant value has been substituted.
Source - Mass
- Maximum take-off 630 kg
2011 baseline supplier specification.
Source - Endurance
- Up to 12 hours
2011 baseline; loading conditions not specified.
Source - Range
- 200 km operating radius
Radius, not maximum flight distance; 2011 configuration.
Source - Speed
- Cruise 220 km/h
2011 baseline.
Source - Altitude
- Cruise 5,000 m
Cruise figure, not maximum ceiling.
Source - Payload
- Maximum mission payload 100 kg
2011 baseline supplier specification.
Source - Sensors
- Not established in the reviewed public sources.
Public evidence gap. No estimate or neighbouring variant value has been substituted.
Source - Communications / navigation
- Not established in the reviewed public sources.
Public evidence gap. No estimate or neighbouring variant value has been substituted.
Source