China CH-7 Rainbow-7

The CH-7 Rainbow-7 (Cai Hong-7) is a stealthy flying-wing high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), primarily for deep-penetration intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR), as well as precision strike missions against high-value targets like command centers, missile sites, and naval vessels. It features a blended wing-body design with radar-absorbent materials, stealth coatings, an internal weapons bay for antiradiation missiles and standoff weapons, dorsal turbofan intake, and advanced sensors including optical, infrared, electronic interception, and data fusion systems for persistent maritime patrols over areas like the western Pacific. Specifications include a 22m wingspan, 10m length, speeds up to 920 km/h, 13,000m ceiling, ~15-hour endurance, and 2,000-3,500 km range, enabling autonomous taxiing, takeoff, landing, and cooperation with other platforms like CH-3/CH-4 drones via shared data links. Key milestones include a full-scale mock-up debut at the 2018 Zhuhai Airshow, a refined design reveal in 2022, a full-scale prototype spotted taxiing in late 2024 (in yellow primer with pitot tubes and antenna sensors), and its maiden flight conducted "recently" before December 2025 at Pucheng Airport in Shaanxi province, northwestern China, validating basic flight characteristics, attitude control, trajectory tracking, and design rationality per CASC's Li Jianhua. As of early 2026, the program remains in development and flight testing, with production originally planned for 2022 but delayed by challenges like turbofan engine maturity and panel seams affecting stealth; no operational deployment or carrier integration confirmed yet. Strategically, the CH-7 extends PLA kill chains as a forward stealth sensor node for manned-unmanned teaming, cueing missiles for PLA Navy and Rocket Force assets, reducing reliance on inexperienced pilots, and enabling theater-level surveillance over contested regions without risking manned aircraft. Its potential naval carrier compatibility and export value pressure U.S. and allied forces to enhance air defenses, jamming, and loyal-wingman programs, marking a leap in China's UCAV capabilities akin to the U.S. X-47B.