{
  "id": "ch-3",
  "name": "CH-3",
  "aliases": [
    "Chang Hong 3"
  ],
  "domain": "air",
  "country": "CHN",
  "category": "Unmanned aerial vehicle",
  "status": null,
  "fielded": 2012,
  "operators": [
    "CHN",
    "DZA",
    "IRQ",
    "NGA",
    "PAK"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 5,
  "summary": "CH-3 is a fixed wing unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) of the Rainbow series. The CH-3 adopts an unusual canard layout, similar to the Jetcruzer 450 and the Rutan VariEze.",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Manufacturer",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "Chinese Defence Company ALIT (Aerospace Long-March International)",
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Crew",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "Unmanned",
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "length_m",
      "v": 7,
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "width_m",
      "v": 8,
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "label": "Wingspan"
    },
    {
      "k": "height_m",
      "v": 1.6,
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thrust / power",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "Propulsion is provided by a three-blade propeller driven by a pusher engine mounted on empennage.",
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "range_km",
      "v": 2400,
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Endurance",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "12 hours",
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Armament",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "Two underwing hardpoints for carrying guided-missile ordnance. Mission Payload 60-100 kg.",
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    }
  ],
  "payloads": [],
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "CH-3",
      "text": "CH-3 is a fixed wing unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) of the Rainbow series. The CH-3 adopts an unusual canard layout, similar to the Jetcruzer 450 and the Rutan VariEze.",
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-3"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "CH-3A",
      "text": "CH-3A is the development of CH-3 and share the identical layout. Improvement of CH-3A over CH-3 includes that the maximum payload is increased to more than 100 kg, and satellite data link is also incorporated.",
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-3"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "CH-3D",
      "text": "China develops the CH-3D UCAV. China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), a state-owned aerospace and defense company, is known to be involved in the development and production of unmanned aerial vehicles, including the CH series of drones The…",
      "src": [
        "weg-ch-3"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "art": "uav",
  "image": null,
  "verified": null,
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-10",
      "change": "Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import"
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/ch-3.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-ch-3": {
      "title": "CH-3 Chinese Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)",
      "publisher": "U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)",
      "url": "https://odin.t2com.army.mil/WEG/Asset/CH-3_Chinese_Unmanned_Aerial_Vehicle",
      "published": "2026-03-20",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}