China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-5 (Caihong-5) vs General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9A Reaper
Full specs: China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-5 (Caihong-5) General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9A Reaper
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-5 (Caihong-5) and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9A Reaper are both uav / drone, compared here on public specifications. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-5 (Caihong-5) leads on range (6,000 vs 1,850 km). Several China-origin figures here are manufacturer or state claims with limited independent verification, so treat this comparison as directional.
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Full data
Full spec sheet
| Performance | ||
| Max speed (km/h) | 230 km/h | 480 km/h ✓ |
| Cruise speed (km/h) | 180 km/h | 313 km/h ✓ |
| Range (km) | 6,000 km ✓ | 1,850 km |
| Service ceiling (m) | 9,000 m | 15,240 m ✓ |
| Endurance (h) | 60 h ✓ | 27 h |
| Firepower | ||
| Hardpoints | 16 ✓ | 7 |
| Weapons payload (kg) | 1,000 kg | 1,700 kg ✓ |
| Physical | ||
| Length (m) | 11 m | 11 m |
| Empty weight (kg) | 1,330 kg | 2,223 kg |
| Combat weight (kg) | 3,300 kg | 4,760 kg |
| Crew | 0 | 0 |
| Propulsion | ||
| Engine power (hp) | N/A | 900 hp |
| Program | ||
| Unit cost (USD) | N/A | $32,000,000 |
| Units built | N/A | 350 |
| Operator countries | 5 | 15 ✓ |
Frequently asked questions
Which is faster, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-5 (Caihong-5) and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9A Reaper? +
The General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9A Reaper is the fastest of the 2 compared here, at 480 km/h.
Which has the longer range? +
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-5 (Caihong-5) has the longest range at 6,000 km.
Which carries the larger weapons payload? +
The General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9A Reaper carries the largest weapons payload at 1,700 kg.
Which is cheaper? +
The General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9A Reaper has the lower public unit-cost figure at 32,000,000 USD. Treat this as directional, defense pricing varies by contract and configuration.
Which has the higher endurance? +
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-5 (Caihong-5) has the higher endurance at 60 h.
Which has the higher hardpoints? +
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-5 (Caihong-5) has the higher hardpoints at 16.
Is the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-5 (Caihong-5) better than the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9A Reaper? +
On the public specs we track, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-5 (Caihong-5) and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9A Reaper are closely matched, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-5 (Caihong-5) leads on range, endurance, hardpoints, while General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9A Reaper leads on max speed, weapons payload, cruise speed. See the full spec sheet for the metric-by-metric breakdown.
Where does this comparison data come from? +
Every figure in the table is sourced from public manufacturer pages, defense-ministry releases and reference publications, and is verifiable on each system's spec page. WeaponSpecs does not accept vendor placement.
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