Airshow China 2024: China reveals role revision for CH-7 UAV

Updated roles for the CASC CH-7 UAV include forward-based, stealth early warning support for manned combat aircraft and wide-area maritime surveillance. (CASC/Janes)

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is realigning the role of its CH-7 stealth unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from a strategic armed reconnaissance asset to a tactical stealth surveillance platform, according to a report by Chinese state-owned media during Airshow China 2024.

During its coverage of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at the biennial defence show conducted at Zhuhai from 12 to17 November, state-owned newspaper Global Times described the CH-7 as a “peer competitor” of the Northrop Grumman RQ-180. The RQ-180, in service with the US Air Force, is designed to conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations in airspace controlled by adversarial air-defence systems.

According to Aerospace CH UAV Co – a Chinese company that is also involved in the development of the CH-7 – the UAV made its debut at Airshow China 2018 as a stealth reconnaissance and strike platform for strategic operations. However, advances in “modern warfare” and the “changing demands of clients” have altered the role of the UAV to a “stealth early warning” platform, Cao Ran, an Aerospace CH UAV company representative, told Global Times on 11 November.

Operational roles now conceived for the CH-7 include monitoring combat areas, electronic support and jamming, and long-range air and sea surveillance, Aerospace CH UAV said.

Cao described the CH-7's key role as being the “eyes” for manned combat units. By penetrating contested airspace using its stealth characteristics, “the CH-7 can locate hostile warships [including aircraft carriers]” for destruction at long range by People's Liberation Army (PLA) bombers and fighter units, Cao said.