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

siegecrossbow said:

Yeah, it’s a stealth strategic bomber and can hit boomer decision makers right in the G-Spot regarding safety of CONUS, but from China’s POV (at least in this reality) war against US homeland is not really in the cards.

Click to expand...

I suppose let's put it this way:

# 1 - If the H-6K/J/N and GJ-X could carry 2-4x YJ-XX each to strike certain air force bases and a certain naval base on Guam, and that the H-20 could carry 6-8x of the same YJ-XX to strike the exact same locations; and
#2 - If the H-6N could only carry 1x JL-XX and launch it against a certain air base in Anchorage from inside China, and that the H-20 can carry 2x of the same JL-XX to strike the exact same location from inside China; and
#3 - If the H-6N can only utilize 1x JL-XX to strike at a certain fighter manufacturing plant at Missouri from 9000 kilometers away and inside China, and that the H-20 can utilize 4x DF-XX to strike the exact same location from 4000-5000 kilometers away and somewhere between Honolulu and Vancouver -

Then having H-20 in PLAAF service is certainly way, way more than just serving as one "status symbol" for a militarily rejuvenating and ascending China.

Of course, the H-20 may only be equipped with either one or both the #2 and #3 capabilities, depending on how the H-20 is eventually designed and engineered - But the still point stands.

gelgoog said:

The bomber is a reusable platform and the missile is not. It will always have its uses.
Because it is reusable it means it is cheaper per unit of dropped mass on target.

Click to expand...

Arrows are reusable and bullets are not, but it wasn't enough to prevent obsolescence. With reusable rockets on the way bringing down thr cost of missiles I do wonder about the future of strategic bombers.

A reusable rocket delivering bombs would be just another kind of bomber.

Startegic bombers is still relevant because you can use it to choose your missile launching point anywhere within a big radius from your base. And if you have aerial refuel support your action radius will increase further out.

Then you also have the fast and flexible deployment time to send your launching platform, i.e. the bombers, to its launching station.

Geography and military bases is in favour of US, thus the idea of using H20 to reach strike sistance from CONUS is understandable that it is not a top priority. Alternative is ICBM instead. Among the TRIAD, strategic bombers have the lowest, especially for China.

siegecrossbow said:

I don’t think it’s obsolete, just that it is probably not top priority for PLAAF and PLA as a whole given the primary mission.

Click to expand...

I think the primary mission is not Taiwan any longer. That objective can be achieved today.

The main ? Is what happens after reunification. The West will try with full extreme sanctions, more so than Russia. So if that system is not dismantled or rendered ineffective, it will be super costly.

I think the primary mission is to extend A2/AD right upto CONUS, complete dismantlement of vassal status of surrounding areas and victory so decisive that the world transitions from rules based order to law based order.

+ If Chinese mainland would be hit, then, its tit for tat.

Hence, IMO in strategic calculus, H-20 makes sense.

phrozenflame said:

I think the primary mission is not Taiwan any longer. That objective can be achieved today.

The main ? Is what happens after reunification. The West will try with full extreme sanctions, more so than Russia. So if that system is not dismantled or rendered ineffective, it will be super costly.

I think the primary mission is to extend A2/AD right upto CONUS, complete dismantlement of vassal status of surrounding areas and victory so decisive that the world transitions from rules based order to law based order.

+ If Chinese mainland would be hit, then, its tit for tat.

Hence, IMO in strategic calculus, H-20 makes sense.

Click to expand...

Has reunification actually happened? Until red banners are physically flying over Taipei reunification will always be primary objective.