Xian H-6

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xian_H-6

The Xian H-6 (Chinese: ?-6; pinyin: Hong-6) is a licence-built version of the
Soviet Tupolev Tu-16 twin-engine jet bomber, built for the Chinese People's
Liberation Army Air Force.

Delivery of the Tu-16 to China began in 1958, and the Xi'an Aircraft Industrial
Corporation (XAC) signed a licence production agreement with the USSR to build
the type in the late 1950s. The first Chinese Tu-16, or "H-6" as it was
designated in Chinese service, flew in 1959. Production was performed by the
plant at Xian, with at least 150 built into the 1990s. China is estimated to
currently operate around 120 of the aircraft.

The latest version is the H-6K, a heavily redesigned version capable of carrying
air-launched cruise missiles. According to United States Department of Defense,
this will give the PLAAF a long-range standoff offensive air capability with
precision-guided munitions.

The first domestically produced H-6 was completed in 1968 and evidence of
bombing training was recorded by U.S. spy satellites on August 13, 1971. By
March of the following year, the CIA estimated that the PRC had 32 aircraft
operational with an additional 19 awaiting completion.

The H-6 was used to drop nine nuclear devices at the Lop Nur test site. However,
with the increased development in ballistic missile technology, the nuclear
delivery capabilities that the H-6 offered diminished in importance. The CIA
estimated in 1976 that the H-6 had moved over to a dual nuclear/conventional
bombing role.

H-6K

The H-6K, first flying on January 5, 2007, entered service in October 2009
during the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of
China, and is claimed to make China the fourth country with a strategic bomber
after US, Russia and the United Kingdom. With a reinforced structure making use
of composite materials, enlarged engine inlets for Russian Soloviev D-30
turbofan engines giving a claimed combat radius of 3,500 kilometres (2,200 mi),
a glass cockpit with large size LCD multi-function display, and a reworked nose
section eliminating the glazed navigator's station in favour of a more powerful
radar, the H-6K is a significantly more modern aircraft than earlier versions.
Six underwing pylons for CJ-10A cruise missiles are added. The rear 23 mm guns
and gunner position are replaced by electronic components.

The H-6K is designed for long-range attacks and stand-off attacks. It is capable
of attacking US carrier battle groups and priority targets in Asia. This
aircraft has nuclear strike capability. While previous models had limited
missile capacity (the H-6G could only carry two YJ-12 anti-ship missiles and the
H-6M two KD-20/CJ-10K/CJ-20 land attack cruise missiles), the H-6K can carry up
to six YJ-12 and 6-7 LACMs; a single regiment of 18 H-6Ks fully loaded out with
YJ-12s can saturate enemy ships with over 100 supersonic missiles. Although the
aircraft has a new nose radome housing a modern air-to-ground radar, it is not
clear if the bomber or other Chinese assets yet have the capability to collect
accurate targeting information for successful strikes against point targets in
areas beyond the first island chain.

In January 2009, it was reported that an indigenous turbofan engine, the WS-18,
was under development for use in the H-6K.

In 2015, about 15 H-6Ks were in service.

A H-6K fitted with a refuelling probe may have first flown in December 2016.
Besides extending range, a possible mission for the variant may be to launch
satellites or ballistic missiles.

Defense Intelligence Agency chief Ashley confirmed that China is developing two
new air-launched ballistic missiles, one of which can carry a nuclear warhead.
The H-6K would be suited to launch such missiles.


Role
Strategic bomber

National origin
People's Republic of China

Manufacturer
Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation

First flight
1959

Retired
Iraq (1991)
Egypt (2000)

Status
Active service with the PLAAF

Primary users
People's Liberation Army Air Force
People's Liberation Army Navy
Egyptian Air Force (historical)
Iraqi Air Force (historical)

Number built
162–180

Developed from
Tupolev Tu-16

China has repeatedly used H-6 aircraft to perform long-range drills near Japan,
prompting the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force to scramble fighters.

Specifications (H-6)

General characteristics
Crew: 4
Length: 34.8 m (114 ft 2 in)
Wingspan: 33.0 m (108 ft 3 in)
Height: 10.36 m (34 ft 0 in)
Wing area: 165 m² (1,775 ft²)
Empty weight: 37,200 kg (82,000 lb)
Loaded weight: 76,000 kg (168,000 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 79,000 kg (174,000 lb)
Powerplant: 2 × Xian WP8 turbojets, 93.2 kN (20,900 lbf) each

Performance
Maximum speed: 1,050 km/h (567 knots, 656 mph)
Cruise speed: Mach 0.75 (768 km/h, 477 mph)
Range: 6,000 km (3,200 nm, 3,700 mi)
Combat radius: 1,800 km (970 nm, 1,100 mi)
Service ceiling: 12,800 m (42,000 ft)
Wing loading: 460 kg/m² (94 lb/ft²)
Thrust/weight: 0.24

Armament

Guns:
2× 23 mm (0.906 in) Nudelman-Rikhter NR-23 cannons in remote dorsal turret
2× NR-23 cannons in remote ventral turret
2× NR-23 cannons in manned tail turret
1× NR-23 cannons in nose (occasional addition)

Missiles:
6 or 7 KD-88 missile (anti-ship or air-to-surface)
YJ-100 (CJ-10) anti-ship missile
C-601 anti-ship missile
YJ-62 (C-602) anti-ship missile
C-301 anti-ship missile
C-101 anti-ship missile
CM-802A
YJ-12 anti-ship missile
DF-21D (H-6N)

Bombs: 9,000 kg (20,000 lb) of free-fall weapons Guided bombs GB6
CS/BBC5
GB2A
GB5


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