The constraint here is cost of course. Hypersonic drones are very expensive if it is only used to fire a few cruise missiles or loitering bombs (that can be intercepted). A group of H-20/B-21 are supposed to send hundreds/thousands of loitering bombs/missiles to saturate the defense. Overall I think hypersonic drones and H-20 will be used in different stages of the war.
H-20 bomber (with H-X, JH-XX)
- Thread starter Deino
- Start date
The constraint here is cost of course. Hypersonic drones are very expensive if it is only used to fire a few cruise missiles or loitering bombs (that can be intercepted). A group of H-20/B-21 are supposed to send hundreds/thousands of loitering bombs/missiles to saturate the defense. Overall I think hypersonic drones and H-20 will be used in different stages of the war.
Hypersonic aircraft can’t replace traditional bomber since they are not able to loiter for the same duration, nor can they take off with payload on notice like traditional bomber.
Starting to think the MD-22 evolving platform is the true H20 project.
Here, Colonel Fu said H20 project requires global nuclear reach.
At this point, the flying wing subsonic H20 is a decoy. B21/H20 can be detected from far away by an array of WZ-9 drones.
Hence, the only manned frontline platform is multirole J36/J50, all else will be drones.
Here, Colonel Fu said H20 project requires global nuclear reach.
At this point, the flying wing subsonic H20 is a decoy. B21/H20 can be detected from far away by an array of WZ-9 drones.
Hence, the only manned frontline platform is multirole J36/J50, all else will be drones.
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Anything that come out of his mouth should be taken with a huge amount of salt
The whole point of large VLO aircraft is to extend LO properties into L band. Low-powered L band mesh is rather unlikely to stop it; moreover, it by itself represents juicy target for picking. Those drones don't come cheap.
Hypersonic aircraft don't match properties of "normal" bombers, being closer in advantages and disadvantages to ballistic missiles.
In effect it's a multi-use warhead, perhaps with some - limited - targeting capability. For more it needs either in-tact space infrastructure, which is a bold prerequirement for a doomsday weapon, or to become a true hypersonic bomber, less than half step away from SSTO bomber. This won't come tomorrow.
In any case. Hypersonic gliders/bombers can't loiter and be controlled and stopped in process; they can use only their specific munitions/warheads and can't extend other available munitions to strategic use; they can't do reconnaissance in force/post-strike bda; they also can't form 3rd strike/restore deterrence.
If we assume that INDOPAC / 2IC (even Hawaii) can be reliably struck by other means or systems - then what is the key role of H-20/XX?
It would be flying towards CONUS and launching long-range stand-off (conventional) munitions. No one is doing BDA against a peer enemy in a 4-engined VLO flying-wing subsonic strategic bomber.
It is actually China’s next generation program that’s making me curious. J-36 (including all that power generation to amplify signals from offboard radars), J-XDS, UAV’s and CCAs are making me question the viability of large, slow, expensive VLO flying wings (i.e. B-21). If the US had China’s next gen program, I would feel slightly nervous about the longevity of large subsonic flying wings like what H-20 is expected to be.
It’s actually gotten to the point where I’m asking myself “how would PLAAF beat China” (in the 2030s)… you’ve got to benchmark against the best.
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In the "array" of WZ-9, radar reflection from one direction can be picked up by another drone or ground platform.
The AVIC model store we saw a while back is not official AVIC. Don’t be fooled by their model guys.
Then no immediate strike/reconnaissance at extended ranges. If fragile theater-level targeting chain is broken somewhere (because US and China are such a weak pickings, and for sure won't be ever able to do it). De facto it'll mean relative safety to the opponent.
Ability to strike within a certain circle *in principle* doesn't mean much by itself, especially since it's limited on all turns.
Pacific/China is stupidly huge, S/China are more than capable of disrupting strike enablers, and most of intermediate/longer ranged strikes are rather limited options anyway - in number, if anything.
p.s. B-21 is a 2-engined bomber.
It isn't likely to be that numerous, it's a huge expensive HALE.
And if it is - it can be simply intentionally cleaned off, including by the very same B-21. No security system is worse than a system that can be disrupted so easily as to produce false sense of secuirity.
Drone array - in conjunction with other means and cover - is a way to establish temporary information picture over desired region, proactively ensuring its operation for given period, and rolling it back when work is done.
If you leave it as it is, exposed - any opponent with initiative will clean it off, just because it's worth it.
It certainly has broken the law by using AVIC logo.