China has developed a long-range flying vehicle equipped with artificial intelligence. The new Rainbow-9 (Caihong-9) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can travel over 10,000 kilometers, Adyrna national portal reports, citing South China Morning Post (SCMP).
According to reports, China’s state broadcaster CCTV aired footage of the Rainbow-9 during flight tests at an airfield in Shaanxi province. The aircraft reportedly flew for over 20 hours.
Military expert Song Zhongping told the publication that integrating AI systems into the Rainbow-9 significantly enhances its military effectiveness.
He noted that the UAV is capable of simultaneously controlling multiple drones and can also operate alongside manned combat aircraft.
According to SCMP, the Rainbow-9 can stay airborne for up to 40 hours at speeds ranging from 0.5 to 0.75 Mach, allowing it to cover distances of more than 10,000 kilometers. The newspaper highlighted that the Rainbow-9, developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), is “the most advanced UAV in its series.”
With a wingspan of 24.8 meters, the aircraft generates sufficient lift to conduct long-duration missions at altitudes exceeding 10,000 meters.
