The important claim is that the H-20 is quoted as "more powerful" than the B-2, implying a larger payload. As a lower limit, we could reasonably expect at least 25 tons of bombs as a consequence.
H-20 bomber (with H-X, JH-XX)
- Thread starter Deino
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It is doubtful the person making the statement knows all there is to know about the B-2. But since it is a 30+ year old platform, some things are obvious. I suppose it's also relatively known what the payload for B-2 is in terms of volume since photos of bay dimensions have been available for decades.
Outside of payload, it could be referring to flexibility. B-21 with propulsion advancements would likely retain a lot of decent payload and range. Perhaps H-20 will also have a flexibility in roles it is able to fill?
isn't chinamil official news paper of Chinese military?
It sort of depends on how good the WS-10 derivatives on the H-20 are.
The engines on the B-2 have about 77 kN thrust (dry only, no afterburner), with a thrust to weight ratio of .20. The latest AL-31 derivatives (Al-41) have about 86 kN thrust, meaning it's about 11% higher, implying about 11% greater take-off weight at the same thrust to weight ratio.
Upgrading to a WS-15-like engine with at least 110 kN thrust would permit a gross take-off weight of at least 215 tons using the same design, implying a much higher bomb load. The H-20 could be set up as slightly range impaired until the WS-15 derivatives are ready by being able to use afterburner for take-off, then dropping to dry thrust for cruise flight.
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Remember, the payload is my obsession with the H-20. A 30+ ton payload means that 50-100 H-20s have a bomb capacity equal to 33-67% of the USAF; meaning that it effectively becomes a "Quad-killer" by being able to deliver massive amounts of ordinance to any of the "containment" elements facing China.
asif iqbal
Lieutenant General
H20 would mean the US continental shelf will be within range
no doubt then H20 will be a huge strategic asset
no doubt then H20 will be a huge strategic asset
Also, here's something fun. If you treat the Norinco sketch as authoritative, the bomb bay is about one third the total airframe length. Going by 3:2 wingspan to length, and using the B-2's wingspan, we get a bay length of 10 to 14 meters, which is long enough to fit a DF-21.
If it's only suited to carry one DF-21; the bay width should be at least 1.5 meters for the DF-21's diameter, but the rough length to width of the bay doors suggest roughly at least 1.5 meters per door, or the ability to launch two DF-21s, with 3 meters to 4 meters of bay width. The DF-21 weighs 14.7 tons, so we have a minimal payload of at least 29.4 tons. So if the 2x DF-21s requirement is baked in, this is about 30 tons of payload, and I'm satisfied.
If it's only suited to carry one DF-21; the bay width should be at least 1.5 meters for the DF-21's diameter, but the rough length to width of the bay doors suggest roughly at least 1.5 meters per door, or the ability to launch two DF-21s, with 3 meters to 4 meters of bay width. The DF-21 weighs 14.7 tons, so we have a minimal payload of at least 29.4 tons. So if the 2x DF-21s requirement is baked in, this is about 30 tons of payload, and I'm satisfied.
We will see it when 003 made its maiden flight
H-20 uses FWS-30 engine (confirmed),basically a WS-10 without afterburner and higher bypass, I would say around 100KN
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biggest weakness for B2 and F22 are serviceability. If PLA is smart they would work on that. that alone would make a huge difference, not as sexy as range or payload, but still super important.