China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)

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UAV / drone

China

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)

CH-4 (Caihong-4)

A medium-altitude long-endurance armed reconnaissance drone roughly comparable to the MQ-1 Predator, exported widely across the Middle East, Africa and Asia at a lower cost than Western systems. One of the most widely proliferated Chinese armed UAVs.

In service since 2014 · 10 operator countries

Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02

235

km/h

3,500

km range

7,000

m ceiling

345

kg payload

Several performance figures for China-origin systems are manufacturer or state claims with limited independent verification. Treat these specs as directional, not tested values.

💲 ≈ $4,000,000, Publicly cited export unit cost estimate

Procurement snapshot

Availability & export

Chinese state channel

State export agencies (NORINCO/CATIC); limited availability to Western-aligned states.

Channel: State export agency

Fielded & proven

Established · 10 operators

In service since 2014. Status: active.

Lifecycle cost (est.)

$10M – $14M

Acquisition is only ~30% of lifecycle cost, operating & support dominate over ~20 yrs. Rough 2.5–3.5× the unit price.

Interoperability

No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.

Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.

Compatible munitions & weapons

Publicly reported weapons the CH-4 (Caihong-4) can carry. Linked items have a full spec page.

AR-1 anti-tank missile FT-9/FT-10 guided bombs

Full specifications

Performance

Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.

Max speed Maximum level speed. For aircraft this is at optimal altitude; for ground vehicles, top road speed. Higher means faster response and better kinematic performance.: 235 km/h

Stronger than 60% of UAVs
Cruise speed Sustained economical speed. Determines transit time to station.: 180 km/h

Stronger than 65% of UAVs
Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence.: 3,500 km

Stronger than 80% of UAVs
Service ceiling Maximum operating altitude. Higher gives energy advantage and sensor horizon.: 7,000 m

Stronger than 48% of UAVs
Endurance Time on station. Critical for UAVs and patrol platforms, higher means longer persistent coverage.: 30 h

Stronger than 85% of UAVs

Firepower

Armament, payload and guidance.

Hardpoints External stations for weapons and pods. More means bigger and more flexible loadouts.: 6

Stronger than 70% of UAVs
Weapons payload Maximum ordnance weight the platform can carry. Higher means more strike capacity per sortie.: 345 kg

Stronger than 53% of UAVs

Physical

Dimensions, weight and crew.

Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable.: 8.5 m
Wingspan Wingtip-to-wingtip span.: 18 m
Empty weight Weight without fuel, ammunition or crew.: 850 kg
Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor.: 1,330 kg
Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity.: 0

Propulsion

Engine, power and fuel.

Engine Powerplant model and type.: Piston engine
Propulsion type Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet…: Piston, pusher propeller

Sensors & avionics

Radar, sensor suite and datalinks.

Sensors IRST, EO/IR turrets, laser designators, sniper pods, thermal sights.: Electro-optical/infrared targeting turret
Datalink Network connectivity: Link 16, MADL, national datalinks. Enables cooperative engagement.: LOS datalink, SATCOM

Program

Cost, production scale and operators.

Unit cost Approximate flyaway/unit cost where public. Defense pricing varies hugely by contract, offsets and configuration. Lower is cheaper.: $4,000,000

Stronger than 59% of UAVs
Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem.: 10

Stronger than 80% of UAVs

Specifications compiled from public China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.

Compare with rivals

See how it stacks up

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CH-4 (Caihong-4) MQ-9A Reaper

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CH-4 (Caihong-4) RQ-4 Global Hawk

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Frequently asked questions

What is the top speed of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-4 (Caihong-4)? +

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-4 (Caihong-4) has a maximum speed of 235 km/h.

What is the range of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-4 (Caihong-4)? +

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-4 (Caihong-4) has a maximum range of 3,500 km.

What is the weapons payload of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-4 (Caihong-4)? +

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-4 (Caihong-4) can carry up to 345 kg of weapons payload.

How much does the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-4 (Caihong-4) weigh? +

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-4 (Caihong-4) has a combat weight of 1,330 kg.

How many crew does the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-4 (Caihong-4) require? +

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-4 (Caihong-4) requires a crew of 0.

What engine does the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-4 (Caihong-4) use? +

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-4 (Caihong-4) is powered by the Piston engine.

What is the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-4 (Caihong-4) used for? +

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-4 (Caihong-4) is a uav / drone typically used for isr, close air support.

How many countries operate the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-4 (Caihong-4)? +

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-4 (Caihong-4) is operated by 10 countries.

How much does the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-4 (Caihong-4) cost? +

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-4 (Caihong-4) has an approximate unit cost of 4,000,000 USD. Defense pricing varies by contract, offsets and configuration, treat this as directional.