The Rainbow-T1 ground-effect UAV (彩虹-T1地效无人机) developed by the China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics (Eleventh Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology) is unique in the world. Public data shows that it can fly close to the sea at an altitude of 1 meter or less, and carry 1,000 Kilograms of weapons and explosives or detection equipment.
Its cruising flight speed can reach Mach 0.65, or 802 km/h, with an endurance of 1.5 hours, which means that this drone can have an operational radius of 300 to 600 km for sea blockade and a range of up to 1,200 km for torpedo attacks.
It is reported that the first batch of Rainbow-T1 will be equipped with Chinese naval destroyers and frigate units. Its design purpose is “to attack large-scale targets on the surface, long-range rapid torpedo attacks, and blockade of sea areas”. It is both an unmanned aircraft and a torpedo that can be precisely maneuvered after launch.
According to an insider, the Rainbow-T1 ground-effect UAV is ready for mass production.
