When it comes to the construction of air force, many people's first reaction is various advanced fighter jets. But in fact, in the modern air force combat system, fighter jets are usually classified as tactical air force forces. In addition to tactical air force, it also has strategic airlift and strategic bombing power. After the Y-20 strategic transport aircraft was put into service, the Chinese Air Force gradually built its own strategic air transport force. As more and more news about the H-20 stealth bomber is coming, many foreign media have gradually set their sights on China's strategic bombing power.
Recently, the US National Interest website published an article saying that the United States only maintains attention to China's H-20 stealth strategic bomber. At present, China is still continuing to improve and upgrade the H-6 series bombers it originally equipped. US media believes that the H-20 will be a stealth strategic bomber with an 8,500-kilometer range and can have supersonic flight . This means that the H-20 can bomb the US mainland at supersonic speed. However, before the H-20 stealth bomb was officially put into service, the H-6 series bomber was still the main bomber of the Chinese Air Force.
In the 2020 China Military Power Report of the Pentagon, China's H-6 bomber was mentioned 33 times before and after. It can be seen that the Chinese Air Force's use of the H-6 series bomber is constantly increasing. Although the current H-6K, H-6J and H-6N are still using Russian engines, China is constantly trying to use Chinese domestic engines on these H-6 bombers to reduce its dependence on Russian engines.
From the current situation, the H-6 series bombers will continue to serve in the Chinese Air Force for at least the third decade of this century. Therefore, it is obviously not enough to replace the domestic engine for the H-6 series bomber. Previously, China had begun to replace domestic advanced avionics systems for the H-6 series bombers, replacing the old glass head with a solid head with an electronic scanning array radar. At the same time, an photoelectric/infrared tower was installed under the new head, so that it has stronger ground attack capabilities.
For the United States, although in terms of performance, the H-20 stealth strategic bomber is far more advanced than the H-6 series bomber and poses a greater threat to the United States. However, before the H-20 stealth bomber has formed its official combat power and is put into service in large quantities, the H-6 series bombers will be the most likely Chinese bomber to encounter in combat. Therefore, the US military should be "feared" China's "H-20+H-6" combination.
For the Chinese Air Force, the H-6 series bombers currently have two advantages: long range and large bomb load. Although many domestic military fans have been making jokes about the basis of the H-6 series bomber -tu-16, the latest H-6 bombers currently have a range of more than 3,000 kilometers, which is basically enough to fight within the first island chain and the second island chain . Especially the H-6N type bomber with aerial refueling capabilities, with the support of the oil transport-20, the attack distance can even exceed the second island chain. In terms of ammunition load capacity, the H-6 series has super heavy plug-in points that other fighter jets in the Chinese Air Force currently do not have. In addition to air-launched hypersonic missiles, they can also carry heavy air-to-ground combat ammunition such as "Changjian-20" and AKD-63. Whether it is ground attack or long-range anti-ship, its deterrence is far beyond the reach of heavy fighter like J-16. Over the years, the Chinese Air Force has also begun to build a more complete combat system around the H-6 series of bombers. For example, the "Frameless-8" hypersonic unmanned reconnaissance aircraft that can be mounted under the belly of the H-6 aircraft can directly provide target fire control information for the H-6 aircraft group that is fighting in special wartime situations.
Previously, the United States estimated that the number of Chinese H-6 series bombers was more than 230. This scale ensured that in addition to producing a small number of brand new H-6 bombers, the Chinese Air Force also had a large number of old H-6 bombers on hand that could be modernized and upgraded like the US Air Force transformed B-52, which is very cost-effective.
But I personally think that it is still a bit exaggerated when it comes to making the United States "fear". With the current public information, it is still difficult to determine whether the H-20 has the ability to fly at supersonic speeds. After all, the stealth and attractiveness of the flying wing layout is quite high, and it is quite difficult to achieve supersonic flight when using the flying wing layout. Moreover, the H-20 will likely follow the development experience of the J-20 stealth fighter , first solve the problems, and then gradually improve and make up for the shortcomings. Therefore, the earliest H-20 Hidden Knock is likely not a "full version". It is irresponsible to talk about "fearing" the United States in this case.
For the Chinese Air Force, the most reliable one at present is the H-6 series bomber. I personally think that the H-6N is likely not to be the final model of the H-6 series. Even if the H-20 Hi-20 Hi-Fi is officially in service, considering the cost of use, the Chinese Air Force still needs to maintain a considerable number of H-6 series bombers to perform some bombing missions with low combat intensity. Therefore, the Chinese Air Force must need a more advanced H-6 bomber than the H-6N.
In addition to avionics systems and engines, the structural strength of the next generation of H-6 bombers will also be the key breakthrough target. After all, it is difficult for the H-6 to have a built-in magazine as large as the B-1B. If you want to continue to increase the attack intensity of unit price, you can only solve it by strengthening the strength of the plug-in point and using a composite hanger.
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