H-6 Bomber Aircraft Discussions

[Blitzo]

Yes. Though the YJ-83K doesn't seem to have much of a long range compared to other mainline AShMs in the PLA arsenal, and is both non-LO and subsonic. So I'd suppose that such loadouts on a H-6 would be used for the finishing-off segment of anti-ship missions?

I am hesitant if the rotary launcher described is intended for H-6K family's internal weapons bay to begin with; from a horizontal footprint and depth perspective in particular. For all we know it may just be work done as part of gaining experience rather than for a specific project, and just recognizing that an internal rotary launcher in general is useful for a strategic bomber (whether H-20 or otherwise).

That said, if it is compatible with H-6K's bomb bay from a footprint perspective, I suspect the missiles themselves would not be a direct YJ-83K family. Given what we know most payloads on internal rotary launchers look like, their folded physical footprints tend to be quite streamlined and low profile, which YJ-83K is not (even if it was a folded mid-wing version).
If this was to be implemented in practice they might have to develop a whole new missile for it.

CJ-20 is basically the air-launched variant of CJ-10.

The nomenclature is a bit confusing, because "CJ" is sometimes used interchangeably with the "DF" prefix, for a ground launched weapon.
DF/CJ-10, DF/CJ-100, DF/CJ-1000 are three different weapons with CJ/DF prefixes.

I am not sure if CJ-20 is an actual designation -- my understanding is KD-20 is the air launched version of DF/CJ-10, but that CJ-20 isn't used for the air launched version.

 

[TheWanderWit]

Speaking of the H-6, would it be possible to dual-rack a cruise missile like say AKF-98A (or any other similar cruise missile in this class; VLO or non-VLO) on the two innermost pylons, and leaving the outermost for at least one, for a grand total of 10 cruise missiles an H-6 could carry (or even dual rack all three hardpoints)? Or even as well carry a single one in the IWB for a total of 11? I'm not exactly sure of the dimensions and weight of a cruise missile like AKF-98A and KD-20, but I do know that the KD-20 is a considerably larger and heavier cruise missile, and the H-6 can still carry at least six. A J-16 should be able to carry at least 3-4 AKF-98As max.

KD-20 LACMs of course provide long-range + a large warhead, but if you wanted more magazine depth for these H-6s for whatever mission they're doing, this could work, whilst using less H-6s. AKF-98A is a smaller class cruise missile, but will still be in the 300-400+ km range class, and still has a relatively large warhead. So if you don't need such large standoff range, along with the fact that KD-20s are likely much more expensive given the size, these could suffice for larger volume with less assets, and further increase the firepower/strike capabilities of these medium-range H-6s.

 

[Blitzo]

Speaking of the H-6, would it be possible to dual-rack a cruise missile like say AKF-98A (or any other similar cruise missile in this class; VLO or non-VLO) on the two innermost pylons, and leaving the outermost for at least one, for a grand total of 10 cruise missiles an H-6 could carry (or even dual rack all three hardpoints)? Or even as well carry a single one in the IWB for a total of 11? I'm not exactly sure of the dimensions and weight of a cruise missile like AKF-98A and KD-20, but I do know that the KD-20 is a considerably larger and heavier cruise missile, and the H-6 can still carry at least six. A J-16 should be able to carry at least 3-4 AKF-98As max.

KD-20 LACMs of course provide long-range + a large warhead, but if you wanted more magazine depth for these H-6s for whatever mission they're doing, this could work, whilst using less H-6s. AKF-98A is a smaller class cruise missile, but will still be in the 300-400+ km range class, and still has a relatively large warhead. So if you don't need such large standoff range, along with the fact that KD-20s are likely much more expensive given the size, these could suffice for larger volume with less assets, and further increase the firepower/strike capabilities of these medium-range H-6s.

It's all a matter of missile footprint and weight, if those are able to be supported on the pylons then yes why not.

If you are asking specifically about AKF-98A, it may be a bit more doubtful simply because multipacking a weapon on a single pylon requires a compact lateral footprint and AKF-98 doesn't have folding tailfins.


But obviously if they wanted to develop such a weapon or variant of AKF-98A it is easily within their means

 

[tamsen_ikard]

Are they still producing the H-6? If not what is the final tally of H-6 in service now?

Seeing the Iran war, I feel China needs a massive missile truck force to take out all the potential targets in first island chain, and ground based missiles are probably too expensive and less numerous to achieve that. Especially for targets like Japan or Philippines.

They need cheap mass precision standoff strike capability.

 

[sunnymaxi]

Are they still producing the H-6? If not what is the final tally of H-6 in service now?

Seeing the Iran war, I feel China needs a massive missile truck force to take out all the potential targets in first island chain, and ground based missiles are probably too expensive and less numerous to achieve that. Especially for targets like Japan or Philippines.

They need cheap mass precision standoff strike capability.

most likely H-6 production has stopped.. we didn't see any new aircraft in satellite imagery.

 

[Tomboy]

Are they still producing the H-6? If not what is the final tally of H-6 in service now?

According to scramble.nl, there are ~168 known H-6K/J/Ns in service excluding the prototypes. This count probably isn't that accurate or up to date but it's a decent approximation. There are also a few H-6Ms but probably will be gone in the next few years.

 

[tamsen_ikard]

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According to scramble.nl, there are ~168 known H-6K/J/Ns in service excluding the prototypes. This count probably isn't that accurate or up to date but it's a decent approximation. There are also a few H-6Ms but probably will be gone in the next few years.

According to IISS, China still has 27 H-6G/Gm and 40 H-6H/M

If those are still not retired that will take the total count to 168+27+40=235

So, well over 230!

 

[Blitzo]

According to IISS, China still has 27 H-6G/Gm and 40 H-6H/M

If those are still not retired that will take the total count to 168+27+40=235

So, well over 230!

I wouldn't take IISS's numbers at face value or take them as up to date.

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

Just a visit to the archives - Dated photos of an assembly line for the older H-6s at Xi'an AC (alongside the Y-7 in the 2nd photo). Posted by Adorable Whale on Weibo.