SinoDefence Forum

challenge

according to macau newspaper and chinese Tv phoenix tv of H-8 bomber.
the program,according to the report started in 1994,and make first maiden flight last january 15th.
the aircraft power by 4 WS-10,speed of mach-1.2.
the report can not be confirm,since there's no official confirmation.

Baibar of Jalat

I was watching a documentry awhile back some CIA guy in passing at the end of programme said China was developing a four engined stealth bomber. He briefly mentioned it. He did not give much detail about just. Odd it was because Doc was about some other weapon programmes (cannot remember what)

So it maybe the H 8 he was talking about. Interesting that it is being flight tested. Just thought I say something.

antiterror13

supersonic long range bomber is not effective anymore, the role has been long replaced with IRBM and ICBM .... cheaper, more effective and safe.

Unless you have something similar with B2 .. just wasting money

China is not stupid .. she would not do that .. just wasting money.

H-6H or possibly TU-22M3 would definitely do the job, just for missile carrier

I think H-8 is just a myth

sumdud

I wouldn't turn my back on H-8, but I trust neither the Macao Paper nor Phoenix TV, which is Taiwan based. (For an obvious reason that I will not say.) China is too busy on other things and nothing can escort the H-8.

__________________

Give us a break. Don't try ranting at SDF.

Infra_Man99

I have to disagree that China is not making a long-range bomber. I think China is developing a long-range bomber.

Long-range missiles and bomber-delivered bombs are different stuff.

Long-Range Missiles:
1. For nuclear warheads (Long-Range Missiles are less accurate than bomber-delivered smart bombs, but nuclear explosions will fix that problem)
2. For quick attacks at any range.
3. With nuclear payloads, long-range missiles are only dooms day devices; completely unacceptable for conventional warfare.
4. With conventional payloads, they are expensive, but great methods for lightning strikes.

Bomber-Delivered Bombs:
1. For highly accurate, but slow attacks (you have to fly the bomber close to the target, and then release the bomb).
2. You can turn the bombs into smart bombs or cruise missiles for a more accurate attack or longer bomber range.
3. It costs less to drop lots of dumb or smart bombs or cruise missiles on a target than to put lots of bombs on long-range missiles and fire them off at a target, plus you get higher accuracy.
4. Once you establish air dominance, patrolling bombers (and attack jets) can bomb a target in a much more affordable and accurate manner than launching cruise missiles or long-range missiles.
3. Acceptable in warfare as long as you drop conventional bombs.

Long-range missiles, intermediate-range missiles, cruise missiles, smart bombs, and bombs all have similar purposes: to blow things up, but they have different methods of transporting the explosives, and thus, are different tools of warfare.

We know that China is interested in long-range attack jets, long-range supply/transport airplanes, long-range submarines (SSN and SSBN), and any other long-range weapons. China seems to be less interested in long-range bombers, but China is still interested. To change from a defensive military to an offensive-capable military, China will need a long-range bomber. It is not the most pressing issue, but some time in the future, China will need it, so might as well start now for the fundamentals.

China will need an offensive military as China advances and needs to protect itself and its international relationships. China has built and continues to build military bases in Southeast Asia and Pakistan. China is probably interested in Central Asia and the Middle East, too. I think China's military will continue to rapidly change from a defensive military to an defensive and offensive military.

crobato

First the report didn't really mention it was a stealth bomber, so be careful not to imply that it is. We will come no where to the truth of what it is.

Having WS-10 engines in 1994 seems possible as it coincides with the testing of the J-10 prototypes later (starting 1998) with the WS-10.

Roger604

Actually, Phoenix TV is Hong Kong-based.

The report strikes me as unlikely. From all indications so far, H-6K will fulfill the long-range bomber requirements for the PLAAF for the foreseeable future.

On the other hand... the experience of the United States shows that building a very low observable bomber is easier than building a very low observable fighter.

challenge

B-2 high tech is beyond the Chinese aerospace capability,the bomber more likely resemble smaller version of Tu-160,but with out the complex swing wing mechanism.

Roger604

I don't think so. From my understanding, the B-2's main stealth feature is thick coats of RAM. The RAM, the flying wing shape, etc. is all fairly basic. Recall an Indian designer of the B-2 who was accused of selling secrets to China about a year ago.

challenge

to date, there's no indication that China has developed fly by wire control system for large aircraft such as commercial jet.
there's report in the late 90's that Russia sold blue print for T-10 medium bomber to China to raise fund.
the T-10 delta wing bomber was abandone due to high cost,the soviet AF decided to abandone the project,the new bomber that replaced it eventually become Backfire bomber.
using today CAD/CAM and technology,it is possible to redesign the entire aircraft to gave her "b-2" like (semi) stealth look.

Deino

I have very strong doubts ...

Here's another report from CMF stating something abouta Jan. 5. date wich would fit to the H-6K.


Are there any reports or comments of some of the big shrimps regarding this topic !???

CHeers, Deino

zyun8288

Seriously, regarding the recent waves of PSed/CG pictures and rumors about stealth FC1, stealth J10, JXX and now this stealth H8, my observation is:

Either the freedom of speech/BS in Chinese media/internet just reached a new high

Or China is spreading all these rumors purposefully to hide the real leak. The best place to hide an article of Gold is in a bucket of sand. Sooner or later we will feel fed up with these ridiculous news/rumors, and we may ignore the real information leaked out accidentally. I think it's about time.

Deino

I can only agree with that statement !

Infra_Man99

Regarding the commercial jet and fly-by-wire comments, China has been developing its own commercial jet: ARJ-21.

Baibar of Jalat

I do believe China has gained knowledge on B2 engines specifically (reducing infra red signiture) through spying, if you believe the charges against the indian born scientist then China has gained alot of knowledge about these types of aircraft. I am not saying it will be flying anytime in next five years.

I believe a stealthy bomber would be a massive technological victory for China because all of China's neighbours do not have similiar aircraft (closest rival is Russia). Plus think of the deterent value of a stealth bomber. I am I right to assume there are no plans to fit stealth detecting radars on US naval ships anytime soon? again this will be a factor in detering US entry for Taiwan.