Why the new H-20 subsonic stealth bomber could be a game changer for China
- State media says aircraft is making ‘great progress’ and military analysts expect it will make maiden flight soon
- Analysts say it’s being developed to break America’s military advantage in the western Pacific
China’s subsonic stealth bomber the H-20 is making “great progress”, according to state broadcaster CCTV, and military analysts say it could make its maiden flight soon.
It is being developed as part of the PLA air force’s expanded bomber operations – combat aircraft for attacking ground and naval targets – and a broader programme of military upgrades as rivalry heats up between China and the United States over security and strategic issues, and trade.
Once it has entered service, the H-20 could be a game changer during warfare for China as it would be able to attack America’s nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.
The details
Believed to have been in development since the early 2000s but only announced by the People’s Liberation Army in 2016, the Hong-20 is a stealth aircraft with a maximum take-off weight of at least 200 tonnes and payload of up to 45 tonnes.
It will be able to carry nuclear weapons and is expected to fly at subsonic speeds, and it could potentially unleash four powerful stealth or hypersonic cruise missiles.
What about America’s B-2?
The design of China’s next-generation bomber resembles America’s B-2 Spirit bomber and also the Northrop Grumman X-47B unmanned combat air vehicle demonstrator.