Xian H-6 (bomber & strike variants)

The Xian H-6 strategic bombers together with the use of air-launched cruise missiles (ALCM) give China another nuclear deterrence vector. These bombers are a license-built version of the Soviet Tupolev Tu-16 “Badger A” twin-engined jet bomber and entered service with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) in 1969 and with the PLA Navy Air Force (PLANAF) since 1975. From then onwards, many variants have entered service for specific tasks as conventional bomber (H-6/6C/6F/6K), nuclear bomber (H-6A/6E/6N), reconnaissance aircraft (H-6B), maritime strike aircraft (H-6D/6J), EW & C3 aircraft (H-6G), cruise missile carrier (H-6H/6M), air refueler (HY-6/6U/6D/6DU) and electronic warfare aircraft (HD-6). In these more than 50 years of operational life, it is estimated that around 250 H-6 aircraft have been manufactured, of which there are currently (2024) more than 200 in service.

H-6 bomber/strike variants gallery and more info

Información adicional

Ficha Completa

Country of origin	China
Builder	Xian Aircraft Industrial Corporation
Type	Bomber aircraft
Entered service	1969
Crew	4 to 6
Combat weight	Maximum: from 75,800 to 95,000 kg
Dimensions (length x wingspan x height)	34.80 x 33.00 x 10.35 meters
Wing area	164.65 m2
Power plant	H-6A/B/C/D/E/F/G: 2 x Xian Wopen WP8 turbojets, 93.17 kN dry thrust each H-6H/J/K/M/N: 2 x Soloviev D-30KP-2 turbojets, 117.68 kN dry thrust each
Power, (total)	H-6A/B/C/D/E/F/G: 186.34 kN (99,505 hp) H-6H/J/K/M/N: 235.36kN (125,682 hp)
Speed	Max.: from 992 to 1,050 km/h – Cruise: 768 km/h
Climb rate	1,140 meters per minute
Ceiling, (maximum)	From 12,000 to 12,800 meters
Range	H-6A/B/C/D/E/F/G: 4,300 km – H-6H/J/K/M/N: 6,000 km
Combat radius	H-6A/B/C/D/E/F/G: 1,800 km – H-6H/J/K/M/N: 3,500 km
Armament	6 x 23 mm Nudelman-Rikhter NR-23 guns in twin turrets (older variants only) H-6/6A: 3,000 kg of bombs in a ventral bomb bay H-6K: 12,000 kg of ordnance in a ventral bomb bay and underwing hardpoints H-6N: 18,000 kg of ordnance under fuselage and underwing hardpoints
Bombs	Unguided type – Guided type: GB2A – GB5 – GB6 – CS/BBC5
Air-to-surface missiles	Type: CM-401 (ALBM) – CH-AS-X-13 (ALBM)
Anti-ship missiles	Type: C-101 – C-301 – C-601 – YJ-8 (C-801) – YJ-12 – YJ-62 – YJ-63 – YJ-83 (C-802) – YJ-100
Cruise missiles	type:CJ-100 (ALCM) – C-10K (LACM) – CJ-20 (LACM) – KD-20 (LACM) – KD-63 (LACM) – KD-88 (LACM)
Production	About 250 of all variants