CH-4 Rainbow vs RQ-11 Raven
Overview
The CH-4 Rainbow and the RQ-11 Raven are both Military Drones, manufactured by CASC and AeroVironment respectively.
The CH-4 Rainbow reaches 435 km/h — 4.6x the RQ-11 Raven's 95 km/h. The CH-4 Rainbow has an operational range of 250 km vs 10 km for the RQ-11 Raven. The CH-4 Rainbow operates at altitudes up to 7,620 m compared to 4,500 m for the RQ-11 Raven. At 1,330 kg MTOW, the CH-4 Rainbow is 665:1 the RQ-11 Raven's 2 kg.
Unit cost is $2M for the CH-4 Rainbow vs $0.17M for the RQ-11 Raven. The RQ-11 Raven first flew 10 years before the CH-4 Rainbow (2000 vs 2010).
| Chinese unmanned combat aerial vehicle, significant for deployments in Iraq and Saudi Arabia, utilized extensively for surveillance and strike missions. | |
| Origin country | 🇨🇳 China |
| Category | Military Drones |
| Manufacturer | CASC |
| First flight | 1 January 2010 |
| Year introduced | 2011 |
| Number produced | N/A |
| Average unit price | $2 million |
| American unmanned aerial vehicle, renowned for extensive service since 1990s, widely deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. | |
| Origin country | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Military Drones |
| Manufacturer | AeroVironment |
| First flight | 1 January 2000 |
| Year introduced | 2003 |
| Number produced | 19000 units |
| Average unit price | $170K |
| Wingspan | 18.0 m ◉ |
| Length | 8.5 m ◉ |
| Maximum speed | 435 km/h ◉ |
| Operational range | 250 km ◉ |
| Service ceiling | 7,620 m ◉ |
| Max. takeoff weight | 1,330 kg ◉ |
| Empty weight | 1,600 kg ◉ |
| Wingspan | 1.4 m ◉ |
| Length | 0.9 m ◉ |
| Maximum speed | 95 km/h ◉ |
| Operational range | 10 km ◉ |
| Service ceiling | 4,500 m ◉ |
| Max. takeoff weight | 2 kg ◉ |
| Empty weight | 1.9 kg ◉ |
Performance Radar Chart
Detailed Comparison
Loading analysis...
Generating comparison analysis...
Unable to generate comparison at this time.
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.