H-20 bomber (with H-X, JH-XX)

ACuriousPLAFan said:

Yes, those stealthy BWB tanker aircrafts having larger RCS than the VLO bombers certainly is a big minus in terms of stealthiness and survivability in high-risk airspaces. However, those BWB tanker aircrafts are not going to accompany the VLO bombers all the way to their designated mission areas - They are only going to fly as far as they need to refuel those VLO bombers before they make a U-turn and head back to base. Only those VLO bombers will continue towards their target.

Instead of having to fly over Canada or Alaska, those BWB tanker aircrafts only have to fly to the Bering Sea, the Arctic Ocean or the Central Pacific at most, where US and allied military installations would be sparse and far apart, hence reducing the chances of interception by US, Canadian and/or Japanese fighters, for that matter.


HU-20 isn't exactly ambitious or out-of-bound per se, but a new refueling platform resulted from the need of a stealthy refueling platform that would extend the H-20's combat range all the way to CONUS. But a modification option for some base variant H-20 units to be fitted with fuel tanks and refueling drouge only (instead of bombs or missiles) should do the trick as well.


Shahed-like loitering drones is useful for Ukraine, Iraq, Yemen and Syria, i.e. countries that has flimsy to zero effective anti-air defenses against larger warplanes, let alone drones. But for countries with fully established and integrated layers of SAM network and even dedicated anti-loitering drone systems like the US and China, deploying Shahed-like loitering drones against targets with substantial anti-loitering drone system coverage is going to be very difficult and suboptimal.

Besides, sending H-20s all the way from China and across the Pacific/Arctic just to attack targets on CONUS with Shahed-like loitering drones is going to be very wasteful. A better way of employing these loitering drones would be housing them inside containerized launchers, while being carried onboard normal container ships. They can be concealed amongst other normal shipping containers, which would then be activated to launch loitering drones once within range of its targets, which can be achieved when the container ships are around or within CONUS territorial waters.

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ACuriousPLAFan said:

Remember this from early December 2022?


Welp, looks like the Americans have the same thought that they would like to put into place in the future:

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anzha said:

The USAF has been talking about the KC-Z being a stealthy tanker for a looooong time. This goes back at least 5 to 7 years. There has been an acknowledgement the current tankers will be under threat when other nations *cough*china*cough* have hypersonic and stealthy assets. The flipside being the USF acknowledges it should not have every tanker be stealthy due to cost.

However, forgive me, but is this H-20?

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Deino said:

What do you think about this Tweet:

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In fact, these guys suggest there were already several unsuccessful 2-engined prototypes in late 2016 ... two more also unsuccessful 4-engined ones in 2018 and now again two more since 2022?!

IMO this is highly unlikely, XAC has surely planned an appropriate number of engines from day one.

Or do I misunderstand that notes? … and does anyone know these bloggers?


Via

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1622230506896232453

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1. 2022年9月19日6号机正式出厂，27号5号机出厂。（有所推迟）
2. 1号和2号技术验证机在2016年下半年出厂，外形与b2类似，双发，动力不足，此设计方案推翻。
3. 2018年5月份，第3架和第4架验证机相继完成。
4.西飞彻底推翻原先方案，两年后采用WS18。由于单台推力不达标，台架共振问题，推翻。
5. 第5号验证机彻底拆除，否定原先动力方案。
6. 第6号验证机，采用原先设计动力方案，2022年9月正式建造完成。
7 生产成本单架约38亿，装备不超过40架。年产量为5-6架。
8. 2023年1月，H20开始在西北地区进行大区域疲劳试验和编队飞行
9. 更多细节不便透露。（7号机已下线，9/10号机准备工位中。）

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五号机和六号机相对于四号机，改进了起落架。使用强度更高的钢材且增大了整体起落架尺寸。

改进了APU下导油管材质，双导油管变成了金属-橡胶-金属三层覆裹材质。

改进了机体材料，使用更保守的航空合金比例大于四号机。而碳纤维复合材质比例则少于四号机。但是也增加了空重。

改进了发动机镍基合金阻燃隔板材质与厚度。

改进了攻角检测报警系统，增加防冻防潮装置。JH-26是6个，夜鸮是8个。

改进了机舱内置泵吸式气体检测报警系统。

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Kalec said:

Rough translation with no personal comment. You guy could check his credibility though. Source: 两根牙签wxl

Translation:
1. September 19, 2022, No. 6 Prototype was rolled out. No. 5 Prototype was rolled out on 09/27. (Some delay)
2. No. 1 and No. 2 technology demonstration aircraft were completed in the second half of 2016, similar in appearance to the b2, twin-engine, and underpowered, and this design was scrapped.
3. The 3rd and 4th demonstration aircraft were completed in May 2018.
4. Xi'an AVIC completely scrapped the original plan, two years later to adopt WS18. due to thrust insufficiency, bench resonance problems, overturned.
5. No.5 prototype was completely dismantled and the original power plan was rejected.
6. No. 6, using the original design power plan, the construction was completed in September 2022.
7 Production cost is about 3.8 billion yuan for a single aircraft, and no more than 40 aircraft will be equipped. Annual production is 5-6 aircraft.
8 In January 2023, the H20 begins large area fatigue tests and formation flights in the Northwestern China.
9. More details are inconvenient to disclose. (No. 7 has been rolled out, No. 9/10 in preparation for manufacturing.)


Translation: The 5th and 6th prototypes have improved landing gear compared to the 4th prototype. The overall landing gear size has been increased by using stronger steel.

Improved the material of the APU lower fuel guide tube, and the double fuel guide tube was changed to a metal-rubber-metal triple cladding material.

The fuselage material has been improved, using a more conservative proportion of aerospace alloys than in the 4th prototype. The proportion of carbon fiber composite material is less than that of the No. 4, also increased the weight.

Improved engine nickel-based alloy flame retardant bulkhead material and thickness.

The angle of attack detection alarm system was improved, and the freeze and moisture protection devices were added. 6 for the JH-26 and 8 for the Night Owl.

Improved the built-in pumping gas detection and alarm system in the cabin.

Some personal comment here:

I think it is likely that the OP is right on some parts of the H-20 story but JH-26 is one of the IQ detectors when it comes to credibility of Chinese rumor mill here. Anyone who brings up JH-26 and H-20 in a single post, is very likely spreading BS right there.

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huitong said:

This sounds crazy and chaotic. I don’t know what to extract out of it.

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huitong said:

This sounds crazy and chaotic. I don’t know what to extract out of it.

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