Aircraft & UAVs

CH-3A unmanned combat aerial vehicle

The CH-3A is a Chinese fixed-wing armed UAV in the CASC Rainbow family, combining electro-optical reconnaissance with small precision munitions. Nigerian Air Force CH-3A aircraft are directly documented in the Boko Haram Insurgency as part of Operation Lafiya Dole, where they supported surveillance and strike missions against Boko Haram and ISWAP targets in the northeast.

Boko Haram InsurgencyNigerian government and allied forces

Conflict side: Nigerian government and allied forces
Built by: China Aerospace Science and Technology CorporationChina Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics
Built in: China

CH-3A unmanned combat aerial vehicle, Fixed-wing unmanned combat aerial vehicle, Aircraft & UAVs

Image source: Rainbow CH-3A Reconnaissance and Strike UAV

Profile

Type: Fixed-wing unmanned combat aerial vehicle
Conflict side: Nigerian government and allied forces
Origin: China
Service note: Introduced to Nigerian service during the mid-2010s Boko Haram counter-insurgency campaign

UAV reconnaissance strike precision fires

Service History

In service: In Nigerian service by 2014-2015; CH-3A crews documented in Operation Lafiya Dole in 2018 and 2020
Used by: Nigerian Air Force
Wars: Boko Haram Insurgency

Production History

Designer: China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics
Designed: 2000s
Built by: China Aerospace Science and Technology CorporationChina Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics
Built in: China
Unit cost: Not publicly confirmed
Produced: 2000s-present
Number built: Not publicly confirmed
Variants: CH-3, CH-3A

Specifications

Crew: 0 onboard; flown remotely from a ground control station
Configuration: Fixed-wing UAV with canards, wingtip fins, tricycle landing gear, and a rear pusher propeller
Payload: Up to about 180 kg on CH-3A references, including electro-optical payloads and small guided munitions
Armament: Two underwing stations for weapons such as AR-1 laser-guided missiles or guided bombs
Endurance: About 6 hours with maximum payload; CH-3 family endurance figures are higher with lighter payloads
Ceiling: About 4,000 m in CH-3A reference data
Range: About 960 km in CH-3A reference data; some CH-3 family references list longer ferry or operational-range figures

Conflict Usage

Boko Haram Insurgency: Side: Nigerian government and allied forcesRole: Armed reconnaissance and precision strikereconnaissance strike precision fires UAV
Operated by the Nigerian Air Force in Operation Lafiya Dole, including documented CH-3A crews in the northeast and a reported January 2018 strike on Boko Haram equipment in the Sambisa area.

CH-3A unmanned combat aerial vehicle Images

CH-3A unmanned combat aerial vehicle, Fixed-wing unmanned combat aerial vehicle, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1 — Source: Rainbow CH-3A Reconnaissance and Strike UAV

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Sources

Counter-Insurgency: CAS Commends Air Task ForcePublisher: Nigerian Air Force | Note: Boko Haram Insurgency direct-use source: CH-3A UAV crews were used by the Nigerian Air Force in Operation Lafiya Dole in the northeast against Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 Armed Drones Making A Strong Entrance In Nigeria's Anti-Terror CampaignPublisher: HumAngle | Note: Boko Haram Insurgency direct-use source: reports a CH-3A drone used by the Nigerian Air Force to trail Boko Haram insurgents and drop an explosive payload in the Sambisa area in January 2018. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 Nigerian Air Force graduates first CH-3A UAV pilotsPublisher: Army Recognition | Note: Boko Haram Insurgency direct-use source: reports CH-3A RPAs fielded by the Nigerian Air Force in the northeast against Boko Haram targets and notes combat delivery of ordnance. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 CH-3A Chinese Reconnaissance Strike UAVPublisher: U.S. Army ODIN Worldwide Equipment Guide | Note: Supports CH-3A system background and specifications, including reconnaissance-strike role, payload improvement, and satellite data-link context. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 Rainbow CH-3A Reconnaissance and Strike UAVPublisher: MilitaryDrones.org.cn | Note: Supports CH-3A specification and armament context and provides the primary product image used for this entry; reuse terms are not clearly stated. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 Additional UAVs being acquired for the Nigerian Air ForcePublisher: DefenceWeb | Note: Supports Nigerian Air Force CH-3A service context, CASC manufacturer attribution, and deployment in the northeast. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 A Guide To Nigeria's Military DronesPublisher: Oryx | Note: Supports Nigerian inventory context for CASC Rainbow CH-3A UAVs and their service timeline. | Accessed: 2026-06-21