Let's make this interesting. I am still of the opinion that the H-20, as we previously expected it, no longer exists and has been supplanted by the GJ-X (which I am inclined to call WH-X) and the J-36.
- If the H-20 does appear in the near future (i.e. before Zhuhai 2026) in the form of a large manned VLO bomber, I will change my profile picture to that of a plain, unassuming Dorito chip for a year.
- If the H-20 does not appear by Zhuhai 2026, or is of a completely different configuration/type from that of a flying wing bomber, I propose that this thread becomes permanently locked until further developments.
There is no role for a B-21 or B-2 sized bomber in the context of GJ-X and J-36. The only justification that I could muster is one of nuclear deterrence, where human redundancy is important, but such an aircraft would be built in very small numbers and unlikely to be a top priority for China's military.