With the continuous evolution of modern warfare, unmanned combat platforms are gradually becoming the core force of high-end warfare. In this context, the Rainbow 7 stealth unmanned bomber developed by China Aerospace Rainbow Corporation has attracted much attention.
This advanced UAV, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2024, has not only made a major breakthrough in technology, but also endowed it with a new strategic significance in terms of military effectiveness.
1. The stunning first flight of the Rainbow Seven.
The debut of the Rainbow Seven has attracted widespread attention. This stealth unmanned bomber not only has a large bomb load and an ultra-long combat radius, but also meets the standard of tactical bombers in stealth performance. Its maximum take-off weight is up to 13 tons, it has a continuous flight duration of up to 15 hours, a combat radius of more than 3,000 kilometers, and a bomb load of no less than two tons with a built-in magazine. Such performance is enough for the Rainbow Seven to perform penetrating air supremacy missions and become an air blade on the battlefield.
Second, there are abundant types of ammunition and comprehensive combat capability.
Another highlight of the Rainbow Seven is the variety of ammunition it carries. From anti-radiation missiles, air-to-surface missiles, laser-guided missiles, anti-ship missiles, and air-to-air missiles, the Rainbow Seven can carry almost all types of ammunition. This makes it capable of performing a variety of missions, whether it is a ground strike, a sea attack, or an air interception.
3. A new level of information acquisition and coordinated operations.
In addition to its powerful strike capabilities, Rainbow Seven is also the most important information acquisition node on the battlefield. It is capable of acquiring and sharing battlefield information in real time through advanced sensors and communication equipment. More importantly, the Rainbow 7 can also guide the fighters and missiles in the rear to carry out tactical coordination tasks in the form of A launch and B guidance. This feature will greatly improve the accuracy of our ground strikes and the flexibility of interception missions.
Fourth, stealth performance or super B21, the strategic value is highlighted.
Judging by the Rainbow 7 model on display at the Zhuhai Air Show, its appearance is quite similar to that of the American B21 bomber. They all feature advanced stealth designs, including an M-shaped design on the rear edge of the wing and fuselage, and a main wing with a large swing ratio. These designs make both the Rainbow Seven and the B21 capable of omnidirectional stealth. However, some analysts believe that from the perspective of stealth performance alone, the Rainbow Seven is likely to surpass the B21 of the United States. This advantage makes the Rainbow Seven have higher survivability and combat effectiveness when performing strategic reconnaissance missions and striking high-value targets.
5. Destroying the enemy's air defense system and seizing air supremacy.
The Rainbow Seven will play a role at a strategic level when performing tasks to disrupt the enemy's air defense system. It can carry anti-radiation missiles deep into the enemy's air defense zone and destroy the enemy's ground-based radars and air defense systems. This is of great significance to our side's seizure of air supremacy and grasping the initiative on the battlefield. In addition, the Rainbow Seven can also perform over-the-horizon air combat missions, carrying long-range or ultra-long-range air-to-air missiles to strike at large enemy air targets.
Sixth, multi-functional expansion, cost-effective advantages are significant.
Because the rainbow seven heads are relatively large, the load capacity is strong, and the stealth performance is good, its functions can be continuously expanded. In addition to the above-mentioned tasks such as vigilance detection, continuous reconnaissance, air defense suppression, and information support, Rainbow Seven can also guide other **strike** value targets. Compared with the B21 in the United States, Rainbow Seven has a significant advantage in terms of cost performance. The cost of the U.S. military to purchase a B21 stealth bomber may be more than 20 times that of the Rainbow Seven. In a conventional war environment, the Rainbow Seven can completely replace most of the combat missions of the B21, and the cost of use is much lower.
7. Future Air Force Equipment Trends and Strategic Thinking.
With the continuous development of advanced unmanned combat platforms such as the Rainbow Seven, the future trend of air force equipment will develop in the direction of more intelligent, stealthy and multi-functional. Against this backdrop, will the Chinese Air Force use only a small number of heavy stealth strategic bombers comparable to the size of the B2 for strategic deterrence missions? And stealth multi-purpose UAVs such as the Rainbow Seven, which are equipped with a larger number of weapons, are used to perform conventional combat missions around the perimeter? This is a strategic question that deserves in-depth consideration.
Judging from the current trend, the Rainbow 7 is sufficient to carry out situational awareness and air supremacy missions between the first and second island chains around China. Its cost of use is lower, stealth performance is better, and the scale of equipment can be very large. If the Rainbow Seven is only allowed to carry out reconnaissance missions, then its combat radius can completely cover the far sea areas such as **, which can be used to guide the missiles of the Rocket Force to accurately hit targets, and can also guide ship-based anti-ship ballistic missiles to strike surface targets. It can be said that the Rainbow Seven will be a game-changer for future conventional warfare.
8. The new darling of the international arms market?
If such a ** is brought to the international arms market, the Rainbow Seven is likely to become a combat platform that is difficult for the US military to deal with. Is it necessary for those countries that want to be independent and improve their national defense capabilities to introduce a few Rainbow Seven to enhance their air strike and reconnaissance capabilities? From this point of view, the contribution of the Rainbow Seven to countering hegemony and promoting the international military balance will also be huge.
To sum up, as an unmanned combat aircraft positioned in a high-end war environment, the Rainbow Seven stealth unmanned bomber has shown significant advantages in terms of military efficiency, cost performance, and strategic value. It is not only likely to become an important part of the future equipment of the Chinese Air Force, but is also expected to occupy a place in the international arms market. With the continuous advancement of technology and the continuous change of battlefield needs, we have reason to believe that Rainbow Seven will play a more important role on the battlefield in the future.