H-20
A new long-range strategic bomber design (H-20?) has been under development at 603
Institute/XAC since early 2000s. Various configurations were studied in detail. One configuration was a supersonic bomber
with a conventional design (delta wings with canards?), another was a
4-engine subsonic stealth flying wing design similar to American B-2. Scale-down models were built. By 2011
the overall configuration was finalized which appeared to be a flying
wing design. Some of the technology including the design of flying wing, dorsal engine intake and exhaust as well as the flight control system might have gained some help from the experience of the Sharp Sword UCAV. The engine is likely to be the indigenous WS-18 without reverse thrust. The aircraft
is expected to feature an AESA radar with twin conformal antennas below the leading wing edges similar to American AN/APQ-181 LPI radar. For armaments it can carry KD-20/DF-10K ALCMs internally on a rotary
launcher or conventional bombs on bomb racks. H-20 is believed to be able to evade modern air defense
systems and penetrate deep into the enemy territory. Estimated weapons payload 17t, combat radius 4,500km. It was reported in March 2013 that the development of H-20 (referred to as the "strategic project") is gaining full speed at 603/XAC after the successful flight of Y-20A. It was reported in November 2015 that the aircraft could feature twin dorsal S-shaped engine intakes with saw tooth lips similar to those of B-2. Consequently the engines are sunk into the main wing structure to further reduce the RCS. It was reported in December 2015 that a 3D digital prototype was built. It was reported in February 2017 that the QC platform of the digital prototype was built. Recent news (July 2018) indicated that the tail section of the S-shaped exhaust pipe has been manufactured. It was reported in September 2018 that an Iron Bird test platform was built. A flying wing design was partially unveiled to the public in an XAC promotional video in May 2018, which suggests a configuration bearing more resemblance to American B-21 than B-2. Recent news (October 2020) suggested that the test of its flight control system was completed. A recent satellite image (October 2020) suggested an RCS measurement model was built. A recent report (July 2021) suggested that a full-scale mock up has been built. The latest illustration of H-20 (November 2024) showed a slight modification to the trailing edges of the fly wing around the engine exhaust area.
-Last updated 11/13/24