The development of China’s new heavy strategic bomber, coded H-20, has been going on for five straight years, with the mechanical master design believed to have been finalized.
Beijing wants its H-20 to be able to fly close to the west coast of the United States, and from there fire conventional or nuclear cruise missiles against US targets.
Thus the H-20 has to be a giant leap forward from the People’s Liberation Army’s currently fleet of H-6 bombers, whose bulky airframe and limited range have been a big drag on its strike capabilities.
Analysts say the H-20’s operational radius must reach 5,000 kilometers, while also having a payload capacity of 25-30 tons so as to carry multiple missiles, such as KD-20s, the air-launched variant of the CJ-10. The engine is thus a vital determinant.
The H-20 must be able to fly close enough to US soil to be within the range of the KD-20 missiles, while making sure it won’t appear on the US military’s long-range radars.
Therefore, the key is its stealth design and coating, which in turn could get inspiration from the design of China’s new J-20 jet fighters, which entered service this year.
Chinese technicians have also been keen on learning more about the Soviet-made Tupolev Tu-160 Belyy Lebed supersonic bomber, spying on its design even after Moscow marshaled all functional Tu-160s out of Ukraine for security reasons, according to Kanwa Defense Review.
Thus it won’t come as a surprise should the final design of the H-20 bear some resemblance to the Soviet bomber.
While the H-20 has been quietly taking shape thanks to ample funding, observers say the US west coast may still be t0o far away as the Chinese bomber may require at least one aerial refueling above the Pacific, as there’s no shortcut to reach the US from any airbase in east or central China. And it is hard to keep an aerial refueling aircraft stealthy, so it is susceptible to interception.
Russian bombers, on the other hand, can fly the much shorter north polar route to reach the contiguous US.
Still, the H-20 will be able to bomb US overseas territories such as Hawaii, Guam and Saipan.
I have never met a brainless kayu thinker like Wood Wu….Really big Kayu….Big Kayu.
I have never met a brainless kayu thinker like Wood Wu….Really big Kayu….Big Kayu.
Wood Wu is certainly a big kayu.
Wood Wu is certainly a big kayu.
Mudgendi…..You are great.
Mudgendi…..You are great.
Wood Wu thinking is actually a brain washed brain supporting USA madness all over the world. USA seized and robbed more islands 1000 of kilometres away from USA shore lines against the defenceless natives, starting from the destruction of Red Indian civilization.
Wood Wu thinking is actually a brain washed brain supporting USA madness all over the world. USA seized and robbed more islands 1000 of kilometres away from USA shore lines against the defenceless natives, starting from the destruction of Red Indian civilization.
China must have super huge military build up. Without military might the war mongers in Pentagon would have done their easy job of destroying China with nuclear weapons. Now that China is mighty, USA would not dare.