After a joint patrol of Russian and Chinese strategists in the Asia-Pacific region, China compared the Hung-6 strategic bombers with Russian and American counterparts. This is reported by the Hong Kong edition of the South China Morning Post..
According to Chinese military experts, joint patrols of two Tu-95MS VKS of the Russian Federation and four Hong-6K PLA over the waters of the Japan and East China Seas showed the shortcomings of Chinese bombers. Compared to Russian counterparts, Chinese bombers have a shorter range and payload.
Despite, what the PLA is armed with 160 to 180 Hun-6 bombers, considered modern aircraft in China, their capabilities do not reach the Russian or American long-range bombers. Hun-6 has a range of 6 thousand km and the specific load on the wing in 160 kg/m2, while the Russian strategist Tu-95MS – 15 thousand kilometers and 606 kg/m2, Tu-160 — 12300 kilometers with a specific wing load 724 kg/m2, American B-1 “rocket launcher” – 9400 kilometers and 820 kg/m2.
In addition, only the latest version of the Hun-6N bomber has the ability to refuel in the air..
The Chinese Hong-6 bomber is based on the old Russian Tu-16 bomber “Badger”, commissioned in the 50s. Although China has modernized it, it's still an old model. Chinese bombers cannot fly as far and carry the same cargo without refueling, like Russian and American bombers
– noted by John Grevatt, Military Aircraft Specialist and Asia-Pacific Defense Industry Analyst at Janes.
At the same time, experts say that China is developing a next-generation Hong-20 strategic bomber.. It is assumed, that this subsonic bomber with technology “stealth” will give China new opportunities and expand its reach.
According to the available information, the Hun-20 will be able to carry four supersonic or stealth cruise missiles.. Estimated flight range of the new strategist – about eight and a half thousand kilometers, payload – 45 tonnes.
