China teases US: unveils Xian H-20 stealth bomber, a B-2 Spirit copy

[NutLoose]

Not much of a copy as copies go though.



More here

https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2022/0...2-spirit-copy/

An unnamed aviation expert from China told the Global Times that the public speculation that the announced aircraft was the H-20 made sense to him. However, it could also be an “overinterpretation” and a completely different project meant. However, the words chosen by Go Heping do indeed best apply to the H-20. After all, this aircraft would make China the second nation in the world to develop its own stealth bomber ready to fly. It is not only against this background that the H-20 is considered the most ambitious project that China’s aviation industry has dealt with to date. In addition, there has been speculation in the recent past that the stealth bomber will take off on its maiden flight by 2023 at the latest. So the time frame fits.

The cards are remixed

The new flying wing would also be a real turning point for the strategic orientation of the Chinese Air Force – and a massive strengthening of its own position in the Asia-Pacific region. Obsolete Xian H-6s currently form the backbone of the long-range bomber fleet. Licensed builds of the Soviet Tupolev Tu-16, which were retired in Russia in the 1990s. Although the Chinese counterparts have been comprehensively modernized, their range of services remains limited with a maximum non-stop range of 6,000 kilometers and a manageable nine tons of weapon load.
In contrast, according to estimates by international analysts, the Xian H-20 can fly between 8,500 and 12,000 kilometers, giving China’s strategic bomber fleet “truly intercontinental” attack capacity for the first time. China has said the new bomber will be part of a “nuclear triad” that also includes land-based missiles and nuclear-armed submarines.
Equipped with an AESA radar and both conventional and nuclear cruise missiles, the H-20 could at least bring the US overseas base Guam, possibly even Hawaii, within range. The WS-10 turbofans developed in China should be used as the drive, which, according to the plan, allow the stealth flying wing to reach a speed just below the sound limit.

[ORAC]

Looking at the nose and cockpit profile, the location and shape of the engine intakes and not least the winglets, stealthy it ain’t…

[Lonewolf_50]

In contrast, according to estimates by international analysts, the Xian H-20 can fly between 8,500 and 12,000 kilometers, giving China’s strategic bomber fleet “truly intercontinental” attack capacity for the first time. China has said the new bomber will be part of a “nuclear triad” that also includes land-based missiles and nuclear-armed submarines.

Lovely, back to the Cold War all over again.

Equipped with an AESA radar and both conventional and nuclear cruise missiles, the H-20 could at least bring the US overseas base Guam, possibly even Hawaii, within range. The WS-10 turbofans developed in China should be used as the drive, which, according to the plan, allow the stealth flying wing to reach a speed just below the sound limit.

Of course, for a project like that you'd want a home grown engine.

[ORAC]

If it’s a cruise missile carrier and doesn’t need to penetrate enemy air defences it doesn’t need to be stealthy - and a conventional design with podded engines etc would be far cheaper to build and maintain - a B-52 rather than B-2 lookalike.

But if they want to waste their money, I have no wish to stop them…

[Una Due Tfc]

Yeah, ain't nothing stealthy about those winglets....must be needed for range.

It would seem the Chinese are having the same issues with their domestic engines as the Russians have always had. They can't match their western counterparts for the efficiency/thrust/lifetime combo. Something gets sacrificed.

[DuncanDoenitz]

Originally Posted by ORAC

Looking at the nose and cockpit profile, the location and shape of the engine intakes and not least the winglets, stealthy it ain’t…

I'd be very surprised if the model shown (photo credit Flugreview) bears any similarity to the actual project. ("Quick; we need a flying wing in Chinese markings")

[27/09]

Nice CGI picture. Looks like they grafted a Vulcan nose onto a Victor wings made it tailless and added winglets just for good measure. Nice smooth flowing lines like most aircraft that predate the actual sharp edged stealth bombers.

Like much of the military hardware the Chinese put on show I suspect it is very much for show with the intention of "showing" how far advanced they are.

[NutLoose]

They give a hint to its shape here as well as the Chinese airforce film it’s from

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/re...r-sheet-179313

[DuncanDoenitz]

Maybe there's something under the sheet. Or maybe its just all sheet.

[Video Mixdown]

Originally Posted by DuncanDoenitz

Or maybe its just all sheet.

: ) ...........

[Crash alot]

I'm sure I've seen these renders before, were supposedly of the new Russian replacement for the Tu-22 / Tu-160 (Probably Bear's too)
If you look close the winglet the national marking looks remarkably like the Russian star.

[meleagertoo]

That looks to me more like a model standing on kitchen tiles than a real aeroplane. It just doesn't quite look real.

[Davef68]

NIcknamed 'Platypus'?

[Lonewolf_50]

It's only a model
https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/...78/174/a69.gif