H-20 bomber (with H-X, JH-XX)

Deino

Lieutenant General
Staff member
Super Moderator
Registered Member
Guys ... what about these latest rumours. Now some even say it not only had roll-out but also that taxy test will start soon.

To admit I still resist to believe but I'm willing to be surprised again.

Anyway if I'm not completely wrong, that Beast is build at XAC at Xi'an that also builds the Y-20 ?? ... or is there a new facility responsible?

Deino
 

Twix101

Junior Member
In a context where a maiden flight would occur on short notice (say 3-6 months), it might be powered by a Russian engine, probably D-30KP or a close variant. I don't see a Chinese high bypass turbofan engine ready for use. And They have been very cautious about putting a indigenous engine on their first of their kind prototypes, especially with a crucial plane like this. This is a strategic item already.
 

latenlazy

Brigadier
In a context where a maiden flight would occur on short notice (say 3-6 months), it might be powered by a Russian engine, probably D-30KP or a close variant. I don't see a Chinese high bypass turbofan engine ready for use. And They have been very cautious about putting a indigenous engine on their first of their kind prototypes, especially with a crucial plane like this. This is a strategic item already.
Stealth bombers use low bypass engines without afterburners.
 

taxiya

Brigadier
Registered Member
In a context where a maiden flight would occur on short notice (say 3-6 months), it might be powered by a Russian engine, probably D-30KP or a close variant. I don't see a Chinese high bypass turbofan engine ready for use. And They have been very cautious about putting a indigenous engine on their first of their kind prototypes, especially with a crucial plane like this. This is a strategic item already.
D-30KP (D-30 without after burner) is still a low bypass engine even though its diameter is much bigger than AL-31 or WS-10 etc.

I don't think H-xx will use D-30 variants because its diameter is too big. D-30 started as power plant for Mig-31 which is unique in its exceptional high speed. All other jet fighters have much conventional thrust level, be it US or Soviet, like F-15/14/16/18, Su-27.

If H-xx is something similar to B-2, it would be 4 AL-31 or WS-10, similar to B-2's 4 F-118 (non after burning F111). Two D-30 would be too small, three or four would excessive.

Besides, H-6/Tu-16 and Mig-31 can tolerate the huge size of D-30 because they have big fuselage and much thinner wings. Their cross section area is acceptable. A flying wing design with a huge engine will require the wing/body to be very thick, increasing cross-section and drag.

That is also why the CGI with 3 engines is relatively reasonable, because it allows a flying wing in the size smaller than B-2 but larger than H-6, which is probably also the size of B-21, a size of appropriate to Chinese need which IMO is nuclear/conventional deterrence somewhere around the middle of Pacific ocean.

Two engines of D-30 class would provide similar thrust to the smaller-than-B2 H-xx, but the size/cross-section is still a problem.

If the engine is AL-31/WS-10 class, then non-afterburning WS-10 is ready enough to be on H-xx, even the first prototype. The problem of WS-10 not on J-20 and J-10 is WS-10's less responsiveness than AL-31, a critical requirement for fighters. But a bomber does not need that. Without that requirement WS-10 is pretty mature.
 
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Twix101

Junior Member
My bad, I mixed things up, I meant low bypass of course, given the limited cross-section available for stealth bomber aerodynamics.
 

taxiya

Brigadier
Registered Member
Guys ... what about these latest rumours. Now some even say it not only had roll-out but also that taxy test will start soon.

To admit I still resist to believe but I'm willing to be surprised again.

Anyway if I'm not completely wrong, that Beast is build at XAC at Xi'an that also builds the Y-20 ?? ... or is there a new facility responsible?

Deino
It will most likely be built by XAC given that XAC is the only one having long experience in building large aircraft.

There is a relocation or new complex being constructed for SAC in Liaoning. I heard it a year ago. I don't know if it is operational by now, I doubt it. Anyway, it is still SAC just some kilometers away from its current location. SAC has that medium sized long range bomber model, but it is surely not in the class of what we are talking about now.
 

Figaro

Senior Member
Registered Member
What is this? Could this be the new bomber?
4KKysQX.jpg
 
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