Wrong.
There is no H-20.
There is only the improved advanced pro plus max ultra H-6Z.
"That's right, it's me Grandpa-6, i.e. H-6Z massive overhaul edition with conformal fuel tank and without droop tail!"
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H-20 bomber (with H-X, JH-XX)
- Thread starter Deino
- Start date
There is no H-20.
There is only the improved advanced pro plus max ultra H-6Z.
"That's right, it's me Grandpa-6, i.e. H-6Z massive overhaul edition with conformal fuel tank and without droop tail!"
I think they could fly it out of Xian at night to a remote airfield located in the western-northwestern desert regions, where there would be less pair of eyes for Xian to conduct further test flights more secretively.
I can't think of any new prototype plane that was A) flown without taxi tests and B) flown at night. I'm not saying it's impossible, but I can't think of any.
Usually, for any new type plane, and presumably especially for an expensive and crucial project like H-20, testing is done both slowly and methodically and carefully. So first there are taxi tests, when the plane is out in the open, but now flown. Those are done over a period of several months (not every day of course, but still on several/many occasions). Then the first flight test is done in the most careful and basic manner possible, under most controllable conditions. Usually it lasts a short time, is done during fair weather, and doesn't really involve anything. Often even the landing gear isn't retracted.
At the same time, this is 2022. Not only is the number of various cameras even bigger, but the number of possible low light and even night cameras is growing. Be it via night vision or thermal cameras. Truth to be told, that's all fairly inconsequential as I simply don't expect the first flight to be done at night time.
So once again, if the bomber is indeed being constructed in the Xi'an facility then I believe there is very little chance there won't be images appearing shortly after the plane gets outside. Given the AVIC promos over the years, I don't even think China will try to hide it at all.
Usually, for any new type plane, and presumably especially for an expensive and crucial project like H-20, testing is done both slowly and methodically and carefully. So first there are taxi tests, when the plane is out in the open, but now flown. Those are done over a period of several months (not every day of course, but still on several/many occasions). Then the first flight test is done in the most careful and basic manner possible, under most controllable conditions. Usually it lasts a short time, is done during fair weather, and doesn't really involve anything. Often even the landing gear isn't retracted.
At the same time, this is 2022. Not only is the number of various cameras even bigger, but the number of possible low light and even night cameras is growing. Be it via night vision or thermal cameras. Truth to be told, that's all fairly inconsequential as I simply don't expect the first flight to be done at night time.
So once again, if the bomber is indeed being constructed in the Xi'an facility then I believe there is very little chance there won't be images appearing shortly after the plane gets outside. Given the AVIC promos over the years, I don't even think China will try to hide it at all.
broadsword
Brigadier
With taxi and ground tests prior to a first flight, during day time.
All of this is a bit academic...
I don't think anyone really expects H-20 to do a maiden flight without taxi and ground tests before hand -- and there's nothing in the original statements that suggest a first flight is imminent without normal preceding tests and procedures to occur first.
And while it is not fully impossible that H-20 could do a maiden flight at night, it is also very unlikely given the additional risks that doing a first flight of a new aircraft would present with nighttime visibility, and the fact that it wouldn't really hide it that well to the amount of space based sensors that exist.
Hiding a new aircraft of this size from being imaged in this day and age is basically impossible, if everyone is already expecting it.
What's likely going to happen is that the general shape and profile of the aircraft will be confirmed pretty quickly. Images that are higher quality taken from the ground, showing details of the aircraft, are not going to be released until somewhat later.
broadsword
Brigadier
Won't that be the same for the H-20 too?
Yes. That's what I wrote in the rest of that post, I assume you read the full thing..
broadsword
Brigadier
The reason I asked @Totoro was that he was saying the obvious, here:
I was implying the H-20 will be similarly tested.