China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-5 (Caihong-5) vs General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9B SkyGuardian
Full specs: China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-5 (Caihong-5) General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9B SkyGuardian
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-5 (Caihong-5) and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9B SkyGuardian are both uav / drone, compared here on public specifications. The General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9B SkyGuardian leads on weapons payload (2,155 vs 1,000 kg). 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 | 390 km/h ✓ |
| Cruise speed (km/h) | 180 km/h | 313 km/h ✓ |
| Range (km) | 6,000 km | 6,000 km |
| Service ceiling (m) | 9,000 m | 12,200 m ✓ |
| Endurance (h) | 60 h ✓ | 40 h |
| Firepower | ||
| Hardpoints | 16 ✓ | 9 |
| Weapons payload (kg) | 1,000 kg | 2,155 kg ✓ |
| Physical | ||
| Length (m) | 11 m | 11.7 m |
| Empty weight (kg) | 1,330 kg | 2,223 kg |
| Combat weight (kg) | 3,300 kg | 5,670 kg |
| Crew | 0 | 0 |
| Program | ||
| Unit cost (USD) | N/A | $25,000,000 |
| Units built | N/A | 60 |
| Operator countries | 5 | 6 ✓ |
Frequently asked questions
Which is faster, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-5 (Caihong-5) and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9B SkyGuardian? +
The General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9B SkyGuardian is the fastest of the 2 compared here, at 390 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-9B SkyGuardian carries the largest weapons payload at 2,155 kg.
Which is cheaper? +
The General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9B SkyGuardian has the lower public unit-cost figure at 25,000,000 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-9B SkyGuardian? +
On the public specs we track, the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9B SkyGuardian leads on 3 of 6 headline metrics, 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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