CH-5 Rainbow vs Geran-2

Overview

The CH-5 Rainbow and the Geran-2 are both Military Drones, manufactured by CASC and IEMZ Kupol respectively.

The CH-5 Rainbow reaches 480 km/h — 2.6x the Geran-2's 185 km/h. The CH-5 Rainbow has an operational range of 2,000 km vs 2,500 km for the Geran-2. At 3,300 kg MTOW, the CH-5 Rainbow is 14:1 the Geran-2's 240 kg.

Unit cost is $8M for the CH-5 Rainbow vs $0.03M for the Geran-2.

Chinese combat drone extensively deployed for surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike missions.
Origin country 🇨🇳 China
Category Military Drones
Manufacturer CASC
First flight 1 August 2015
Year introduced 2015
Number produced N/A
Average unit price $8 million
Russian-produced version of the Iranian Shahed-136 one-way attack drone, built at the Alabuga (Yelabuga) plant and used at scale against Ukraine since 2022.
Origin country 🇷🇺 Russia
Category Military Drones
Manufacturer IEMZ Kupol
First flight --
Year introduced 2022
Number produced 26000 units
Average unit price $30K
Wingspan 21.0 m
Length -- m
Maximum speed 480 km/h
Operational range 2,000 km
Service ceiling 9,000 m
Max. takeoff weight 3,300 kg
Empty weight 2,225 kg
Wingspan 2.5 m
Length 3.5 m
Maximum speed 185 km/h
Operational range 2,500 km
Service ceiling -- m
Max. takeoff weight 240 kg
Empty weight -- kg

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the CH-5 Rainbow or Geran-2?
The CH-5 Rainbow is faster with a maximum speed of 480 km/h compared to the Geran-2's 185 km/h, a difference of 295 km/h.
Which has longer range, the CH-5 Rainbow or Geran-2?
The Geran-2 has a longer range at 2,500 km compared to the CH-5 Rainbow's 2,000 km.
Which can fly higher, the CH-5 Rainbow or Geran-2?
The CH-5 Rainbow has a higher service ceiling at 9,000 meters (29,527 ft) compared to the Geran-2's 0 meters (0 ft).
Which is heavier, the CH-5 Rainbow or Geran-2?
The CH-5 Rainbow has a higher maximum takeoff weight at 3,300 kg compared to the Geran-2's 240 kg.
Which is larger, the CH-5 Rainbow or Geran-2?
The Geran-2 is longer at 3.5 meters compared to the CH-5 Rainbow's 0.0 meters.
Which is more expensive, the CH-5 Rainbow or Geran-2?
The CH-5 Rainbow is more expensive at approximately $8.0 million per unit compared to the Geran-2 at $0.0 million.
Which entered service first, the CH-5 Rainbow or Geran-2?
The CH-5 Rainbow entered service first in 2015, 7 years before the Geran-2 which entered service in 2022.