Chinese UCAV/CCA/flying wing drones (ISR, A2A, A2G)

I thought when CH-7 was shown at various expos it was together with various munitions, and in various articles was described capable of strike missions as well?

This honestly looks so much more stealthy than the original display. I have the impression that they actually went through a re-design here. The original one used 2 WS-13 IIRC & this one with 8 ton max takeoff would be a 1 non-AB WS-13 or less powerful propulsion. I looked through the dialog and they specifically did not mention ground attack or any real payload figures.

据介绍，彩虹-7 外形科幻，采用独特的飞翼布局，翼身高度融合，从翼尖到机身后端分别安装有副翼、襟翼和锯齿形水平尾翼。这种尾翼被称为“海狸尾”，可以帮助飞机在低空飞行时抵消垂直阵风引起的颠簸，还可以缩短飞机起飞前的滑跑距离。

彩虹-7 的发动机进气口位于机身上方，发动机尾喷管则采用半隐藏式设计。飞机外形光滑，整体设计简洁明快。再加上机体表面的隐身涂料，所有检修口盖、起落架舱盖和弹舱都进行了隐身处理，让彩虹-7 无人机具备极好的低可探测性能。

另外，彩虹-7 的翼展 27.3 米，最大起飞重量 8 吨、巡航速度 0.5 马赫、实用升限约为 16000 米，飞行性能强大。专家表示，基于彩虹-7 本身的优点：高速突防 + 很强的隐身性能，可以把战场前端的信息及时回传给后方的有人机，甚至是我方的远程打击力量。然后同时它可以在前端做一个目标指引。

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Assuming this is accurate, then it does have weapons bay and can conduct long range strike. I would think the payload is not very though.

tphuang said:

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Assuming this is accurate, then it does have weapons bay and can conduct long range strike. I would think the payload is not very though.

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Actually the sentence confirms that it is a recon only aircraft.

可以把战场前端的信息及时回传给后方的有人机，甚至是我方的远程打击力量。然后同时它可以在前端做一个目标指引

It can transfer front line information to manned aircraft behind even to our long range strike force. The word even means and. This long range strike force is the reciever of the information like the manned aircraft, so it is likely referring to strategic striking force like missiles from PLARF.

I don't think having or lacking striking capability in the revealed CH-7 should be surprising. CASC apparently showed it in various exhibitions with intention for export, so it wanted to meet all kinds of need of buyers (create all possible use cases). This specific flying piece is for long range recon which makes weapons pointless. But building weapons bay for a strike variant isn't a big deal. Personally I don't see a point for CH-7 being armed in PLA service when there are better options shown in the parade.

Some indian accounts are claiming this plane crashed soon after take off and the video is a cover up of some sort.