CASC Rainbow

The CASC Rainbow is a high‑performance experimental aircraft developed by the China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics (CAAA) in the early 2010s. Conceived as a technology demonstrator for next‑generation laminar‑flow wing designs, the program began in 2011 and achieved its first flight on 22 March 2015 from the Wuhan Mao Airport. The airframe features a sleek, twin‑engine configuration with a blended‑wing body that reduces drag by up to 25 % compared to conventional designs. Advanced composite materials make up more than 70 % of the structure, granting a high strength‑to‑weight ratio and enabling a maximum take‑off weight of 8 tonnes. Powered by two turbofan engines delivering a combined thrust of 4 kN, the Rainbow can cruise at Mach 0.78 and reach an altitude of 13 000 m, providing a realistic testbed for high‑altitude, long‑duration missions. Instrumentation includes a suite of onboard sensors for real‑time flow visualization, structural health monitoring, and avionics integration. Since its entry into service, the aircraft has supported over 80 flight campaigns, contributing data that informed the design of China’s forthcoming large‑scale commercial airliners and unmanned aerial platforms. The CASC Rainbow thus stands as a pivotal step in China’s drive to master aerodynamic efficiency and to compete globally in advanced aerospace technology.