China has completed first live-fire test with CH-4 local-made UAV

China has recently completed a six-day live-fire test with various ammunition with the local-made unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) Caihong 4 (Rainbow 4, or CH-4). The CH-4 is a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE)-class, strike-capable reconnaissance platform that has been developed by the China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics.

CH-4 UAV MALE armed drone at China AirShow in November 2012 (Picture source Army Recognition)

The tested of the CH-4 was performed with an upgraded version of the model which was first produced in 2015. This was the first time that the UAV conducted a highly concentrated live-fire test carrying multiple kinds of ammunition, with functions covering both extensive bombing and precise targeting.

Moreover, the upgraded CH-4 adapts better to various weather conditions, including extreme weather, and is equipped with an all-new data network that integrates air-ground data collection and distribution.

The CH-4 was developed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), on the basis of the previous model, the CH-3. According to its developer, the CH-4 has better basic performance than that of the U.S.-based General Atomics' MQ-1 Predator, an industry leader, and is more competent in reconnaissance, surveillance, and strike missions.

Chinese aviation defence industry has launched the CH-4 MALE UAV at the 9th AirShow China in Zhuhai, demonstrates China’s efforts in designing and manufacturing of new generation of UAV. There are two variants of this new UAV, the CH-4A and the CH-4B.

CH-4A and CH-4B have the similar appearance and construction, but with more options of combat mission payloads. It can carry up to 4 AGMs (AR-1) or 4 precision guided bombs (60 kg level each), providing unparalleled battle effectiveness to time-sensitive targets.

The CH-4 model showed at AirShow China 2012 was armed with two AR-1 short range ground-to-air missiles and two FT-5 guided-bombs.

In recent years, China's drone market has flourished and is seeking to push technological innovation to a higher level. The Wing Loong II unmanned aerial system (UAS), developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, created a record of five hits in succession with five kinds of missiles last year.