The Xi'an H-20 (Chinese: 轰-20; pinyin: Hōng-20; alternatively Xi'an H-X) is a projected subsonic stealth bomber design of the People's Liberation Army Air Force. It is referred to as a strategic project by the People's Liberation Army,[2][3] and will be the first dedicated strategic bomber developed by China.[4]
| H-20 | |
|---|---|
| Role | Stealth strategic bomber |
| National origin | China |
| Manufacturer | Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation[1] |
| Status | Under development |
| Primary user | People's Liberation Army Air Force |
The development of a strategic bomber was revealed in September 2016.[3]
Design and development
editIn 2016, People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) general Ma Xiaotian announced that China was developing a new type of long-range bomber on the air force's open day.[5] In 2018, a Chinese military spokesperson confirmed the development was making "great progress".[6]
According to the United States Department of Defense, the H-20 is expected to be a flying wing[7] with a range of at least 8,500 km and a payload capacity of at least 10 tonnes;[7] according to the Rand Corporation, an American funded thinktank, it will allow China "to reliably threaten U.S. targets within and beyond the Second Island Chain, to include key U.S. military bases in Guam and Hawaii."[8] The payload is projected to be at least 10 tonnes of conventional or nuclear weapons.[7]
Throughout the years, multiple models and computer-generated pictures have surfaced on the internet, some published by magazines run by state-owned defense companies.[9][10] Defense analysts have noted several recurring features on these models, including serrated air intakes, cranked-kite wings, and foldable twin tail surfaces that can be switched between being horizontal tailplanes and V-tails.[11][12]
In July 2022, Chinese state media suggested the H-20 was close to taking its maiden flight.[13][14]
In March 2024, during the second session of the 14th National People's Congress, vice commander of the People's Liberation Army Air Force, Wang Wei, indicated that H-20 will be revealed "very soon".[15][16]
See also
editAircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References
editCitations
edit- ^ Grossman et al.: page 51
- ^ Franz-Stefan Gady (July 13, 2015). "China Wants to Develop a New Long-Range Strategic Bomber". The Diplomat.
- ^ a b Grossman et al.: page 50
- ^ United States Department of Defense (1 August 2020). Annual Report To Congress: Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2020 (PDF) (Report).
- ^ "China says developing new type of long-range bomber". Reuters. 2 September 2016.
- ^ Trevithick, Joseph (15 October 2018). "China Reportedly Plans To Unveil H-20 Stealth Bomber At Air Force Anniversary Parade In 2019". The Drive.
- ^ a b c "Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China" (PDF). Office of the Secretary of Defense.
- ^ Grossman et al.: page 54
- ^ Mizokami, Kyle (9 April 2018). "Is This China's Stealth Bomber?". Popular Mechanics.
- ^ Huang, Kristin (25 May 2021). "China's mysterious H-20 strategic bomber 'may be able to strike second island chain'". South China Morning Post.
- ^ Newdick, Thomas (22 August 2022). "Do These Models Provide A Glimpse Of China's Future H-20 Bomber? (Updated)". The Drive.
- ^ Larson, Caleb (24 February 2022). "Why China's New H-20 Stealth Bomber Could Change Everything". 1945.
- ^ Kadidal, Akhil (13 July 2022). "China's H-20 stealth bomber close to first flight". Janes.
- ^ Honrada, Gabriel (14 July 2022). "China's H-20 stealth bomber ready for take-off". Asia Times.
- ^ Deputy Commander of the Air Force "spoilers" about the H-20: There is no technical bottleneck, it's coming soon, just wait.
- ^ Deputy Commander of the Air Force: The new generation strategic bomber-H-20 will be announced to the public!
Sources
edit- Grossman, Derek; Beauchamp-Mustafaga, Nathan; Ma, Logan; Chase, Michael S. (2018). China's Long-Range Bomber Flights: Drivers and Implications (PDF) (Report). RAND Corporation. ISBN 978-1-9774-0083-3. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
- Office of the United States Secretary of Defense (2021). Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China (PDF) (Report). Retrieved 24 December 2021.
External links
edit- "The PLA Air Force's "Silver-Bullet" Bomber Force | Jamestown". jamestown.org. Retrieved 2017-07-30.