H-20 bomber (with H-X, JH-XX)
- Thread starter Deino
- Start date
SinoSoldier
Colonel
This is from 2+ months ago, but I am unable to find the link to the original post or even the author's username. Could someone shed some light?
A high level summary is that:
The first paragraph hints that the new generation of Chinese large military aircraft are designed around D-30 engine and have provision for later upgrade to domestically produced engines. I am not sure if the author meant this for H-X as well.
How will something larger than b-2 be tactically relevant?
I'd say the B-52 was tactically relevant and it's bigger than the B-2...
TerraN_EmpirE
Tyrant King
It has to do with bomb load.
B2 Was designed not as a support bomber but a pure strategic bomber.
It's a penetration bomber meant to enter denied airspace and drop strategic weapons.
I would say you are only partially true. B1 is the better tactical bomber.
B52 suffers from its age it's engines it's huge cross section.
B52 In even a near conventional conflict is only meant to launch cruise missiles.
It bomb load is impressive but limitations on speed and ability to get on target mean unless you are looking to carpet bomb a insurgency it's no good to support infantry or conventional operations.
B1 with its speed is the better tactical bomber and has more potential uses like maritime strike in conventional conflict.
"Was" is past tense.
B52 doesnt sport stealth, neither can it be used in heavily defended airspace at "present". Its only a bomb truck. There's H-6k for those roles.
Isn't Hxx suppossed to be a LO penetrator?
TerraN_EmpirE
Tyrant King
Yes. But that doesn't mean it can't do tactical operations.
B2 has points against it due to its age and limited numbers as well where in presumably H-X would be oriented to a less sensitive stealth and construction method to focus on reliability and affordability as well as better numbers and ability to carry more weapons.
It could also.be that the PLAAF aims to include more tactical based missions like stand off antiship and cruise missiles in the hopes of use as an extension of access denial with reduced cross section. Features not available to B2
On paper, what you say is absolutely correct.
However...
The B-1 has atrocious availability. it is the worst of the bombers (1, 2 & 52). There is a reason they are being retired first and the B-52s are getting new engines.