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AI autonomy and endurance of China’s Rainbow-9 drone expected to change unmanned warfare

State media reveals attack drone requires a ground crew of five to manage flight oversight and handle payload systems

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State broadcaster CCTV has aired footage of the Caihong-9 (Rainbow-9), China’s latest medium-to-high altitude, long-endurance drone. Photo: CCTV
Enoch Wong
AI improvements have slashed mission response times for China’s latest attack drone and are enabling it to work seamlessly with stealth fighters.

That was the assessment of former PLA instructor Song Zhongping after state broadcaster CCTV aired footage earlier this month 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 insights into its endurance, systems integration and strike potential.

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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 said that integrating AI into the Rainbow-9 would “substantially boost its combat effectiveness and support capabilities across various missions”.

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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