Indian media "Eurasia Times" reported that in addition to the H-20 stealth bomber currently being developed by China, there is also a less well-known bomber partner under development - the unmanned fighter aircraft wingman. Indian media said that as early as the beginning of this year, China's official media "Global Times" stated that the J-20 stealth fighter could command drone groups in the future to conduct coordinated aerial operations. Many people believe that this move implies that China is already developing a "loyal wingman" aircraft, which can also communicate with the H-20 stealth bomber.
Indian media "ANI" also stated that the People's Liberation Army's military modernization will definitely include drones. They are also focusing on exploring the development of loyal wingmen. This kind of unmanned fighter aircraft will have huge potential, and has low cost and sufficient flight capabilities. And artificial intelligence can assist fighters in other military tasks during combat. The current loyal wingman is essentially an upgraded version of the military drone , except that it is faster, has more powerful strike capabilities and information interaction capabilities, and carries weapons and equipment tailored for the mission, such as reconnaissance equipment, weapons Or electronic warfare equipment, etc. These unmanned wingmen can be used as cheap decoys to confuse enemy fighter jets and air defense system detection at critical moments, achieving the tactical goal of deceiving the enemy.
As the latest high-tech equipment, only a few major countries in the world are actively exploring the development of loyal wingmen. India has also begun the research and development of loyal wingmen, intending to serve as an auxiliary combat force for India's fifth-generation fighter AMCA in the future. The American XQ-58A loyal wingman has already made its first flight and is planned to serve as the wingman for the American sixth-generation aircraft and F-35 in the future. Not to be outdone, Russia completed the first flight of its S70 stealth unmanned attack aircraft in 2019. This fighter was designated by the Russian Aerospace Force as the unmanned wingman of the Su-57 stealth fighter. However, there is not much public information about China's loyal wingmen. The outside world believes that China is tight-lipped on the development of loyal wingmen. Now China is steadily advancing the loyal wingman project. The Indian media believes that China's unmanned wingman project may bring benefits to military experts around the world. Come and be surprised.
Regarding the development of China’s loyal wingmen, the Indian media “ANI” specially interviewed Douglas Barry, a researcher at the internationally renowned IISS (British Institute for International Strategic Studies). Barry said that China is very secretive about its loyal wingman program. China's military drone technology can be said to be at the forefront of the world. Some of its drones have reached the world's top level, such as the No-Detective 8 hypersonic reconnaissance aircraft and other military drones. . It is not difficult for China to develop more advanced loyal wingmen at a technical level. China's loyal wingmen may have been ready for a long time. If there is competition between Russia and China, China will definitely be the first to develop loyal wingmen before Russia. China is fully capable of this. Moreover, AVIC displayed a full-scale model of the medium-range wingman FH-97 UAV at the Zhuhai Air Show held in September last year. The FH-97 UAV has ground strike and electronic warfare capabilities. It can serve as a bomber partner of the H-20 bomber and can carry a variety of weapons. Although China refuses to disclose any technical details, Indian media believe that the FH-97 is very similar in appearance to the American XQ-58A UAV .
Barry believes that China may also be looking to combine loyal wingmen with the H-20 stealth bomber it is developing, which is similar to the concept of the U.S. Air Force developing loyal wingmen for its B-21 bomber . Some foreign media nicknamed the bomber's medium-range wingman "bomber buddy", which is very appropriate. The combination of the H-20 bomber and the medium-range wingman can effectively enhance the combat capabilities of the H-20 H-20 and improve its survivability.
H-20, a long-range strategic bomber , can be said to have no self-defense capabilities at all. The deep-penetrating strike missions it performs against the enemy are destined to be impossible to be fully escorted by fighter jets. However, relying on loyal wingmen can significantly To improve its self-defense capabilities, loyal wingmen can build an air cluster around the H-20 to specifically protect the H-20. With data interconnection between the two parties, the H-20's situation awareness and investigation capabilities will also be greatly enhanced. When necessary, loyal wingmen can directly carry out long-range air strike missions, or they can release decoy jamming aircraft to deceive the enemy's air defense system and fighter aircraft, thereby covering the H-20's strategic goal of taking advantage of the opportunity to complete a penetrating strike.
