AI autonomy and endurance of China's Rainbow-9 drone expected to change unmanned warfare
China is drawing attention to the AI-enabled autonomy and long-range versatility of its most advanced Rainbow
drone , advances that signal a shift in the future of unmanned warfare, according to a military analyst.
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State broadcaster CCTV this month aired footage of the Caihong-9 (Rainbow-9) – China's latest medium-to-high altitude, long-endurance drone – during a public flight trial at an airfield in northern Shaanxi.
The televised segment, which was part of a broader programme on Chinese defence innovation, marked the drone's first public appearance since last year's
Zhuhai air show , offering new insights into its endurance, systems integration and strike potential.
02:26
China's biggest air show in Zhuhai features new fighter jets and helicopters
China's biggest air show in Zhuhai features new fighter jets and helicopters
According to CCTV, the Rainbow-9 completed a continuous flight lasting more than 20 hours while carrying next-generation aviation payload pods.
'This test not only assesses its performance but significantly enhances its future mission capabilities,' the broadcaster said in a programme aired on March 14.
Song Zhongping, a former PLA instructor and military analyst, said that integrating AI into the Rainbow-9 would 'substantially boost its combat effectiveness and support capabilities across various missions'.
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Song said the Rainbow-9 could control multiple drones simultaneously which could significantly expand both its operational radius and reconnaissance coverage.
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