MilitaryXian H-6K Bomber
Bomberconfirmed
The H-6K is China's primary strategic bomber — an extensively modernized derivative of the Soviet Tu-16 Badger. Equipped with new D-30KP-2 turbofan engines, glass cockpit, and the ability to carry 6 CJ-10A land-attack cruise missiles with a range of ~1,500–2,000 km. The H-6K enables China to strike targets throughout Asia and beyond.
Specifications
| Type | Bomber |
| Origin | China |
| Manufacturer | Xian Aircraft Corporation |
| Introduced | 2009 |
| Status | In service |
| Payload | 12,000 |
| Range | 8,000 |
| Weight | 75,800 |
| Speed | 1,050 |
| Crew | 4 |
History
H-6 first flew 1959 (license copy of Tu-16). The H-6K "Badger with fangs" entered service 2009 with dramatically improved range and modern cruise missiles. The H-6N variant (aerial refueling, nuclear delivery) and H-6J (maritime strike) are further developments. China plans to build a stealth bomber (H-20) for long-range nuclear delivery.
Operators
| Country | Quantity | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| China | ~120 H-6K/N/J variants | estimated |
Text adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo from Wikimedia Commons; see the Wikipedia article for author and license.
