CH-5 Rainbow vs RQ-20 Puma
The CH-5 Rainbow and the RQ-20 Puma are both Military Drones, manufactured by CASC and AeroVironment respectively. The CH-5 Rainbow reaches 480 km/h — 5.8x the RQ-20 Puma's 83 km/h. The CH-5 Rainbow has an operational range of 2,000 km vs 15 km for the RQ-20 Puma. The CH-5 Rainbow operates at altitudes up to 9,000 m compared to 3,200 m for the RQ-20 Puma. At 3,300 kg MTOW, the CH-5 Rainbow is 550:1 the RQ-20 Puma's 6 kg. Unit cost is $8M for the CH-5 Rainbow vs $0.25M for the RQ-20 Puma. The RQ-20 Puma first flew 8 years before the CH-5 Rainbow (2007 vs 2015).
| 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 |
| American battery-powered, small hand-launched unmanned aircraft system for surveillance and intelligence gathering. | |
| Origin country | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Military Drones |
| Manufacturer | AeroVironment |
| First flight | 1 January 2007 |
| Year introduced | 2008 |
| Number produced | 1000 units |
| Average unit price | $0.3 million |
| 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 ◉ |
| Wingspan | 2.8 m ◉ |
| Length | 1.4 m |
| Maximum speed | 83 km/h ◉ |
| Operational range | 15 km ◉ |
| Service ceiling | 3,200 m ◉ |
| Max. takeoff weight | 6 kg ◉ |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is faster, the CH-5 Rainbow or RQ-20 Puma?
The CH-5 Rainbow is faster with a maximum speed of 480 km/h compared to the RQ-20 Puma's 83 km/h, a difference of 397 km/h.
Which has longer range, the CH-5 Rainbow or RQ-20 Puma?
The CH-5 Rainbow has a longer range at 2,000 km compared to the RQ-20 Puma's 15 km.
Which can fly higher, the CH-5 Rainbow or RQ-20 Puma?
The CH-5 Rainbow has a higher service ceiling at 9,000 meters (29,527 ft) compared to the RQ-20 Puma's 3,200 meters (10,498 ft).
Which is heavier, the CH-5 Rainbow or RQ-20 Puma?
The CH-5 Rainbow has a higher maximum takeoff weight at 3,300 kg compared to the RQ-20 Puma's 6 kg.
Which is larger, the CH-5 Rainbow or RQ-20 Puma?
The RQ-20 Puma is longer at 1.4 meters compared to the CH-5 Rainbow's 0.0 meters.
Which is more expensive, the CH-5 Rainbow or RQ-20 Puma?
The CH-5 Rainbow is more expensive at approximately $8.0 million per unit compared to the RQ-20 Puma at $0.2 million.
Which entered service first, the CH-5 Rainbow or RQ-20 Puma?
The RQ-20 Puma entered service first in 2008, 7 years before the CH-5 Rainbow which entered service in 2015.