Chinese Air Force Teases H-20 Next Generation Stealth Bomber

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force has hinted at the design of its next generation strategic bomber, the Xian H-20, during its 2021 recruitment video released on January 5th. An unknown computer generated image of what appears to be a large stealth bomber entered the stage in the final moments of the video covered in a white blanket, leaving only the front outline visible. The blanket is then removed, with the design teased in an unclear reflection in the goggles of a pilot's helmet from a side view. This suggests a flying wing design similar to that of the GJ-11 radar evading attack drone already in PLA service, but much larger. China is considered a world leader in stealth technologies rivalled only by the United States in the field, and the U.S. is notably pursuing a similar radar evading stealth bomber under the  B-21 program. The H-20 will be the first in Chinese service with an intercontinental range. The aircraft is expected to make its public debut before the end of 2022, with the design's appearance being a well kept secret until then.

Russia and the United States are currently the only countries which field bombers with intercontinental ranges well suited to strategic nuclear missions, although Ukraine briefly had a significant number in its arsenal in the early 1990s which China reportedly attempted to purchase before Western intervention blocked the deal. Although China currently deploys more bombers than any other country in the world, with over 270 H-6 aircraft in service, these are only suitable for theatre operations and cannot be used to engage targets on other continents. It remains uncertain whether the H-20’s airframe will be used for purposes beyond strategic deterrence, with other roles including a tanker for aerial refuelling, a surveillance aircraft, or an electronic attack aircraft all being possible. The H-20 may also be equipped for tactical missions and armed with cruise missiles for anti shipping and anti surface missions much as the H-6 has been today. With the bomber expected to be much larger and more costly to operate than the H-6, it is likely that it will not replace the older jet in production but will instead be assigned a complementary role alongside it - much as the Russian Air Force’s intercontinental range Tu-160M complements its Tu-22M theatre bomber.