China China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)
CH-6 (Caihong-6)
A large high-altitude, long-endurance armed reconnaissance drone in CASC's Rainbow/Caihong family, sized well above the CH-4/CH-5 for maritime patrol, anti-submarine and long-range strike/ISR missions. First publicly displayed at Zhuhai Airshow China 2021. Two publicized variants: a strike configuration (18h endurance, 450 kg payload) and a reconnaissance configuration (21h endurance, 120 kg payload); figures here are the strike variant.
In service since 2021
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-24
800
km/h
12,000
m ceiling
450
kg payload
Pricing: Unit cost not publicly disclosed
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
Chinese state channel
State export agencies (NORINCO/CATIC); limited availability to Western-aligned states.
Channel: State export agency
Fielded & proven
Operator data not public
In service since 2021. Status: active.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →
Interoperability
No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.
Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Compatible munitions & weapons
Publicly reported weapons the CH-6 (Caihong-6) can carry. Linked items have a full spec page.
Full specifications
Performance
Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.
| Max speed Maximum level speed. For aircraft this is at optimal altitude; for ground vehicles, top road speed. Higher means faster response and better kinematic performance. | 800 km/h |
|---|---|
| Service ceiling Maximum operating altitude. Higher gives energy advantage and sensor horizon. | 12,000 m |
| Rate of climb How fast the aircraft gains altitude. Higher means better energy recovery in combat. | 20 m/s |
| Endurance Time on station. Critical for UAVs and patrol platforms, higher means longer persistent coverage. | 18 h |
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
| Weapons payload Maximum ordnance weight the platform can carry. Higher means more strike capacity per sortie. | 450 kg |
|---|
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable. | 15 m |
|---|---|
| Wingspan Wingtip-to-wingtip span. | 20.5 m |
| Height Overall height. Lower profile is harder to spot and hit for ground vehicles. | 5 m |
| Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor. | 7,800 kg |
| Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity. | 0 |
Specifications compiled from public China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-24.
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What is the top speed of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-6 (Caihong-6)? +
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-6 (Caihong-6) has a maximum speed of 800 km/h.
What is the weapons payload of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-6 (Caihong-6)? +
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-6 (Caihong-6) can carry up to 450 kg of weapons payload.
How much does the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-6 (Caihong-6) weigh? +
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-6 (Caihong-6) has a combat weight of 7,800 kg.
How many crew does the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-6 (Caihong-6) require? +
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-6 (Caihong-6) requires a crew of 0.
What is the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-6 (Caihong-6) used for? +
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-6 (Caihong-6) is a uav / drone typically used for isr, close air support.
How much does the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-6 (Caihong-6) cost? +
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-6 (Caihong-6): Unit cost not publicly disclosed. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.
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