Modern Heavy Bomber News, Pictures Thread (Non-Chinese)

To me, the H-6K looks like an updated variant of the H-6 series, which is based on TU-16. Just like the F-18E which was based on the earlier series even though it has newer engines, avionics and additional LERXs. The H-6K is not a change to something like B-1 bomber.

t2contra said:

To me, the H-6K looks like an updated variant of the H-6 series, which is based on TU-16. Just like the F-18E which was based on the earlier series even though it has newer engines, avionics and additional LERXs. The H-6K is not a change to something like B-1 bomber.

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Regardless, what I think Jeff meant is that China is the only nation actively building new bombers starting from nothing to a fully new airframe.

Russia and the US are actively modernizing their bomber fleets or overhauling them but it's not quite producing a whole new fully formed airframe from nothing.

FORBIN said:

Six bombers in service : B-52H, B-1B, B-2A, Tu-160, Tu-95MS-6/16 ( Known to NATO as the Bear H ) and Tu-22M3 all Strategic except the last intermediate range.
PS : China use a copy of Tu-16, H-6 intermediate range bomber.

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This is an excellent thread FORBIN. Congratulations!

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Bltizo said:

Russia and the US are actively modernizing their bomber fleets or overhauling them but it's not quite producing a whole new fully formed airframe from nothing.

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Got it, Jeff.

t2contra said:

Only building improved versions.

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t2contra said:

To me, the H-6K looks like an updated variant of the H-6 series, which is based on TU-16. Just like the F-18E which was based on the earlier series even though it has newer engines, avionics and additional LERXs. The H-6K is not a change to something like B-1 bomber.

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My point was, like Bltizo said, simply that the Chinese are the only country building new bombers.

The H-6K is a new build bomber. Yes it is am much improved H-6, TU-16...but it is not a modification of an old airframe or a refurb...it is a new build with a LOT of innovation.

Of course the US and Russia have newer designs...but they are not building any more of those designs right now.

In a few years the US will be building another new one, and perhaps Russia will too. For that matter maybe China will also.

But right now, the only one of the three that is building brand new bombers is China with the H-6K.

Russians all used by Air Force/VVS Navy owned Tu-22M ( anti-ship missions with AS-4 ) but transfered to VVS some years ago.

- Tu-160, about 16 a sqn in one combat Rgt and other units.

- Tu-95MS6/16 (Bear H for NATO ) about 30 and 30 can carry 6 ALCM in weapons bay and in more 10 under wings for MS-16. 3 sqns in 2 Cbt Rgts.

- Tu-22M3, 107 in 3 cbt Rgts and other units.

More detailed for begin Tu-160
Tu-160 the more big combat aircraft never build, 35/38 to Kazan plant, Tupolev plant have also build severals Tupolev bombers, 275 t max, 148 t of fuel, only supersonic heavy bomber mach 2,05, 4 reactors of 25t
40 t of weapons in 2 bombs bays, especialy 12 AS-15 or KH-101/102 possible also 24 AS-16.



12 KH-101/102, conv/nucl.

Just to perhaps add some visual perspective to this as well, here are a few drawings off the internet which I tried to scale:

A picture of Tu-160 no.14 from different angle. It was taken at least before 2010.



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Tu-16LL:


Tu-142LL:



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I wonder why wouldn't India want to build a heavy bomber? They want to be seen as a upcoming super power right? Well the other super powers on the block have them why not them?