The MEMRI Chinese Media Studies Project has released a video posted December 15, 2025 by Chinese military analyst Qianmiao on his YouTube channel on the recent maiden flight of China’s new CH-7 flying wing unmanned stealth bomber.
Qianmio reported in the video that the drone’s cruising speed is Mach 0.5-0.6, with a maximum flight speed of Mach 0.75, and that it has a flight ceiling of 13,000-16,000 meters. Its wingspan, he said, is 27.3 meters, longer than earlier prototypes, and it can carry a payload of 2-4 tons.
He explained that the weapons bay includes two heavy missile mounts, enabling it to strike large surface warships or conduct ground bombing runs, and that it has a range of 10,000 kilometers or 16 hours, making it a “transcontinental” UAV capable of covering “all of Japan’s territory.”
Qianmiao said that because Japan has been “quite jumpy lately,” U.S. military installations in Japan could become targets for the CH-7, adding that it could even pose a threat to Alaska or Hawaii. The CH-7, he continued, is a counterbalance to America’s B-21 bombers which will be deployed in Australia supposedly as a threat to China, and will change the dynamic with countries that want to intervene in Taiwan affairs.
If the CH-7 enters service, he added, it could pose a threat to U.S. surface vessels in the Taiwan area, and would make the U.S. reconsider whether to intervene in Taiwan issues.
The video was in Chinese with subtitles in Chinese and English.
The MEMRI Chinese Media Studies Project has released a video posted December 15, 2025 by Chinese military analyst Qianmiao on his YouTube channel on the recent maiden flight of China’s new CH-7 flying wing unmanned stealth bomber.
Below is the transcript of the video:
Qianmiao: ”Hello everyone, I am your friend Quianmiao. Today China has officially announced China’s Ch-7, a stealth HAV with flying-wing design conducted its maiden flight. Thus, test flight’s time is likely in the mid of this month. Previously, I have also reported to everyone CH-7 UAV information on its maiden flight. We examine this CH-7 UAV, its tail lacks vertical fins. Vertical fins have already been removed.
“This test flight for CH-7 has not been officially disclosed. Details about the test flight location they just mentioned. This test flight for CH-7 happened at a certain test flight base in the northwest. Looking at CH-7’s test flight this time compared to last year’s runaway tests, when doing taxiing tests its appearance is basically the same, all adopt, eye catching yellow design. The benefit of this design is to let ground personnel or engineers better and more clearly observe CH-7’s flight posture.
[…]
“CH-7’s cruising speed is about 0.5 mach to 0.6 mach. Its maximum flying speed reaches 0.75 mach. Operational ceiling altitude ranges from 13,000 meters to 16,000 meters. Wingspan length reaches 27.3 meters compared to earlier versions of CH-7’s wingspan.
“In comparison, engineers have increased CH-7’s wingspan length. CH-7’s payload capacity ranges between 2 to 4 tons.
“Its internal weapons bay includes two heavy missile mounts, in other words, CH-7 can strike large surface warships or conduct bombardment of significant targets on land such as dropping ordinance on major ground targets which are major ship killing missiles, large anti-ship missiles, or air-to-ground KD-20 missiles.
“One of CH-7’s main highlights is its combat range exceeding 10,000 kilometers which allows it to be labeled as a transcontinental stealth UAV with an endurance extending over 16 hours it can fully cover all of Japan’s territory.
“Japan has been quite jumpy lately. This means that U.S. air bases in Japan or military ports would become targets of CH-7 UAV strikes. Moreover, it could even pose threat to the U.S. mainland such as Alaska or Hawaii.
“By the end of 2026 or early 2027 the U.S. B-21 bomber will regain service in U.S. forces. Its first deployment location is highly likely to be Australia, and the deterrent target is quite clear, which of course is, China. If China presently lacks a flying-wing design penetration stealth UAV, it would be considerable setback for China.
“The emergence of CH-7 undoubtedly balances the military dynamics in the Western Pacific area, especially against those countries who seek intervention in Taiwan affairs. Previously, U.S. aircraft carriers would linger around this sea area connecting second Island Chain to Third Island Chain.
“If CH-7 enters service in the Chinese military, it will impact the second island chain to third island chain’s American surface vessels. By creating strong denial capability this will prompt the U.S. to seriously consider whether to intervene in Taiwan issues.”
To view the original article as well as additional reports from the Middle East Media Research Institute, visit MEMRI’s website.