Well, the B-2 bomber has four F118 engines with 77 kN power, while the WS-10B engine has 89.17 kN power (dry thrust). And it is widely expected the H-20 will also have four engines likely with WS-10 engine core. So:
89.17/77 = 1.158 i.e. 15.8% more thrust.
So I would expect an H-20 to have 15.8% more payload than a B-2. Which is a flying wing type with similar configuration. B-2 supposedly has a limit of 18t payload with max of 23t. So scale that up 18*1.158 and 23*1.158 that gives out ~21t and ~27t respectively.
Of course without knowing the weight of the airframe it is impossible to know these numbers for real. But I would estimate them to be accurate. I doubt China will make a worse airframe like what 30 years later. Back then people did not even use carbon composites in civil aviation. The B-2 carbon composites are probably first generation ones with crappy performance. Probably used for the skin with CFRP or metal for the rest. And I expect China to use each and every single trick they have to keep the weight down and maximize range. So if anything my numbers are estimates on the low side. It depends on if China uses more modern carbon composites in the airframe and WS-15 engines or not.
89.17/77 = 1.158 i.e. 15.8% more thrust.
So I would expect an H-20 to have 15.8% more payload than a B-2. Which is a flying wing type with similar configuration. B-2 supposedly has a limit of 18t payload with max of 23t. So scale that up 18*1.158 and 23*1.158 that gives out ~21t and ~27t respectively.
Of course without knowing the weight of the airframe it is impossible to know these numbers for real. But I would estimate them to be accurate. I doubt China will make a worse airframe like what 30 years later. Back then people did not even use carbon composites in civil aviation. The B-2 carbon composites are probably first generation ones with crappy performance. Probably used for the skin with CFRP or metal for the rest. And I expect China to use each and every single trick they have to keep the weight down and maximize range. So if anything my numbers are estimates on the low side. It depends on if China uses more modern carbon composites in the airframe and WS-15 engines or not.
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