Recent reports suggest that China’s domestically-produced CH-T1 (Rainbow T1 or Caihong T1) ground-effect unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has been approved for mass production. This development significantly bolsters China’s coastal defense capabilities, granting it its own version of the “Caspian Sea Monster.”
So, what makes the CH-T1 UAV so exceptional that it’s being compared to the DF-21 as a formidable carrier killer? And what impact will its mass production have on China?
In the last century, the Soviet Union developed a large ground-effect vehicle, known for its ability to fly using the wing-in-ground effect, which provided high safety, fast speeds, and the capability to fly close to the sea surface with strong anti-detection capabilities. When Western countries like the United States discovered this vehicle and the Soviets denied its existence, they dubbed it the “Caspian Sea Monster.”
Given its nickname as China’s “Caspian Sea Monster,” the CH-T1 UAV naturally matches the original in functionality. The Soviet Caspian Sea Monster had a top speed of about 800 kilometers per hour and a range of 7500 kilometers. In comparison, the CH-T1 UAV typically flies at around 0.65 Mach, with a maximum speed of 802 kilometers per hour and an operational range of approximately 1200 kilometers based on its 1.5-hour endurance.
Some might question how the CH-T1, with a 1200-kilometer range, can compare to the 7500-kilometer range of the Caspian Sea Monster. The key point here is “functionality.” Although the Caspian Sea Monster had a larger range, it achieved this through a large size that compromised stealth, making it easy to intercept and thus less effective in modern naval warfare. In contrast, the CH-T1, though with a shorter range, has superior penetration capabilities and a smaller size, making it more effective in surprise attacks.
Additionally, the CH-T1 UAV has a unique advantage over other ground-effect vehicles: ultra-low altitude flight. While most ground-effect vehicles claim to fly close to the sea, their actual flight height is around 10-15 meters above the sea surface, which still leaves them detectable. The CH-T1, however, can fly at just 0.5-1 meters above the sea surface, giving it an unmatched advantage in stealthy assaults.
Despite its impressive capabilities, some may still doubt the CH-T1’s ability to rival the DF-21 missile due to its small size. At Chinese airshows, the CH-T1’s small size and limited payload capacity (up to three tons maximum takeoff weight) may seem insufficient to threaten large warships. However, this small size is deceptive. Being an unmanned vehicle, the T1 does not require a cockpit, allowing it to allocate up to one ton for a nuclear warhead, which can deliver substantial destructive power.
Moreover, the CH-T1 can be equipped with torpedoes, similar to Russia’s Poseidon nuclear torpedo, allowing it to attack from underwater. This capability further enhances its threat to large vessels like aircraft carriers. Torpedoes, often underestimated, can cause catastrophic damage to large ships when detonated underwater. For instance, in 2002, the US tested its carrier’s resistance to direct hits by firing hundreds of missiles at it, but the carrier remained afloat. However, if these missiles were detonated underwater, the carrier would likely have been destroyed due to the significant vulnerability of its underwater structure.
Therefore, the CH-T1’s torpedo capability makes it a formidable threat, comparable to the DF-21 and DF-17 missiles, particularly in terms of stealth and hit probability.
Given its 1200-kilometer range, the CH-T1’s operational radius is about 600 kilometers if considering a return trip. Some may find this radius too limited, but it’s essential to understand that the CH-T1 is essentially a “suicide drone.” Designed to be used as a one-way weapon, it doesn’t need to return, allowing it to operate freely within its 1200-kilometer range, significantly enhancing its effectiveness.