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CH-4 Rainbow vs RQ-11 Raven

CH-4 Rainbow vs RQ-11 Raven at a glance — top speed 435 vs 95 km/h, range 250 vs 10 km, max takeoff weight 1,330 vs 2 kg.

CASC CH-4 Rainbow military drones side profile drawing
🇨🇳 CH-4 Rainbow
AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven military drones side profile drawing
🇺🇸 RQ-11 Raven
Specifications
CH-4 Rainbow RQ-11 Raven
Origin country 🇨🇳 China 🇺🇸 United States
Category Military Drones Military Drones
Manufacturer CASC AeroVironment
First flight 1 January 2010 1 January 2000
Year introduced 2011 2003
Number produced N/A 19000 units
Average unit price $2 million $170K
Wingspan 18.0 m 1.4 m
Length 8.5 m 0.9 m
Maximum speed 435 km/h 95 km/h
Operational range 250 km 10 km
Service ceiling 7,620 m 4,500 m
Max. takeoff weight 1,330 kg 2 kg
Empty weight 1,600 kg 1.9 kg
Performance Radar Chart
Change comparison vs

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the CH-4 Rainbow or RQ-11 Raven?
The CH-4 Rainbow is faster with a maximum speed of 435 km/h compared to the RQ-11 Raven's 95 km/h, a difference of 340 km/h.
Which has longer range, the CH-4 Rainbow or RQ-11 Raven?
The CH-4 Rainbow has a longer range at 250 km compared to the RQ-11 Raven's 10 km.
Which can fly higher, the CH-4 Rainbow or RQ-11 Raven?
The CH-4 Rainbow has a higher service ceiling at 7,620 meters (25,000 ft) compared to the RQ-11 Raven's 4,500 meters (14,763 ft).
Which is heavier, the CH-4 Rainbow or RQ-11 Raven?
The CH-4 Rainbow has a higher maximum takeoff weight at 1,330 kg compared to the RQ-11 Raven's 2 kg.
Which is larger, the CH-4 Rainbow or RQ-11 Raven?
The CH-4 Rainbow is longer at 8.5 meters compared to the RQ-11 Raven's 0.9 meters.
Which is more expensive, the CH-4 Rainbow or RQ-11 Raven?
The CH-4 Rainbow is more expensive at approximately $2.0 million per unit compared to the RQ-11 Raven at $0.2 million.
Which entered service first, the CH-4 Rainbow or RQ-11 Raven?
The RQ-11 Raven entered service first in 2003, 8 years before the CH-4 Rainbow which entered service in 2011.