During the 1993 military parade in our country, the H-6N, H-6K, and H-6J bombers in the aerial formation were still very eye-catching and impressive. In recent years, the equipment on these aircraft has been continuously updated, and the missile weapon technology has become increasingly advanced. China's H-6 series bomber has successfully transformed from an old-style bombing platform into a modern strategic strike system.

Although the H-6 platform does not have stealth capabilities or supersonic flight capabilities, it is fully sufficient to meet China's needs for operations in the Western Pacific. These bombers can conduct precise strikes on key targets from a safe distance, becoming a highly cost-effective and extremely difficult-to-intercept rapid strike force. The H-6N bomber, equipped with air-launched hypersonic missiles, takes off from the runway, and this seemingly outdated platform has been revitalized, becoming the most formidable aerial strike force in the Western Pacific for China.

The design of the H-6 bomber originates from the Soviet Tu-16 medium bomber, but China's deep improvements have given it new combat power. The latest models, H-6N, H-6K, and H-6J, are equipped with new engines, advanced avionics systems, and modern weapon control systems.

The H-6K is a crucial model in the H-6 series. It is equipped with Russian-made D-30KP-2 turbofan engines, which significantly improve its flight performance and range. Its maximum range can reach 8,000 kilometers, and the operational coverage when conducting missions exceeds 3,500 kilometers.

The H-6N has added the capability for in-flight refueling, further expanding its operational radius. The H-6J, on the other hand, is specifically designed for the naval aviation forces as an anti-ship model, equipped with various sensors and anti-ship missiles.

The greatest enhancement in the combat capability of the H-6 series is due to the large-scale deployment of air-launched hypersonic missiles and air-launched ballistic missiles. With these weapon systems, the H-6 does not need to enter enemy defense areas, allowing it to launch attacks from a distance, thus greatly increasing its chances of survival and improving the effectiveness of its strikes.

Among these, the most notable is the air-launched anti-ship ballistic missile. This missile, carried by the H-6N, has the capability to strike moving aircraft carrier battle groups, with an estimated range exceeding 1,500 kilometers.

In addition, the H-6 series can carry the YJ-12 hypersonic anti-ship missile and the Changjian-20 cruise missile. The YJ-12 has an extremely high speed, reaching Mach 4, with a range of approximately 400 kilometers; the Changjian-20 is a long-range cruise missile designed for attacking ground targets, with a range exceeding 1,500 kilometers.

The deployment of these advanced missiles has made the H-6 series a true "missile truck," capable of conducting precise strikes on distant targets from relatively safe airspace.

The H-6 series bomber, combined with various missiles, forms a striking capability covering most of the Western Pacific. The H-6N, taking off from eastern Chinese airports, can cover all important targets within the First Island Chain.

If in-flight refueling is conducted, the H-6N's operational range can be further extended to the Second Island Chain, including U.S. important military bases such as Guam, which fall within its strike range.

This coverage capability is crucial for China's implementation of the "area denial" strategy. The H-6 fleet can pose a substantial threat to foreign naval fleets that intervene in Western Pacific affairs, especially the models equipped with anti-ship ballistic missiles.

In wartime, the H-6 fleet can operate in coordination with other military branches, forming a multi-layered, three-dimensional strike system, greatly enhancing China's military influence in the Western Pacific region.

Compared to the development of a new strategic bomber, improving the H-6 platform offers significant cost-effectiveness advantages. China has already mastered all the production technologies of the H-6, enabling it to maintain a large-scale fleet at a relatively low cost.

Although the H-6 platform is old, its maintenance and operating costs are far lower than those of new stealth bombers. This allows China to maintain a considerable number of bomber squadrons, forming a numerical advantage.

More importantly, the upgrade and improvement of the H-6 do not need to start from scratch. They can be gradually implemented on the existing platform, significantly reducing technical risks and development costs.

This efficient cost-benefit strategic choice enables China to establish a reliable aerial strategic strike force in a relatively short period of time, meeting the current military needs in the Western Pacific region.

Despite the United States having more advanced B-2, B-1B, and B-52 strategic bombers, its airborne missile technology lags behind China's. American bombers mainly rely on subsonic cruise missiles, such as the AGM-86 series, which have limited survivability against modern air defense systems.

In contrast, the hypersonic missiles and ballistic missiles equipped on the H-6 series have stronger penetration capabilities. These missiles fly at high speeds and have strong maneuverability, making them difficult for existing air defense systems to effectively intercept.

Especially in anti-ship warfare, China has already established a clear advantage. American bombers lack specialized anti-ship ballistic missiles and mainly rely on the subsonic Harpoon anti-ship missiles, which are limited in effectiveness against modern naval air defense systems.

This missile technology advantage compensates to some extent for the performance gap between the H-6 platform and advanced American bombers. The Chinese bomber force has considerable deterrent power in the Western Pacific.

Looking ahead, even if China's next-generation stealth strategic bomber, the H-20, becomes operational, the H-6 series will continue to play a role on the front lines for a long time. This mode of using multiple generations of bombers together is a wise decision made by China after careful consideration of actual needs and cost-effectiveness.

The H-6 series can perform a large number of conventional strike missions, while stealth bombers focus on penetration missions in high-risk environments. This division maximizes the operational effectiveness of the entire bomber force.

In the future, the H-6 series may continue to undergo upgrades, such as replacing engines with better performance, updating the avionics system, and equipping it with more types of precision-guided weapons.

These continuous improvements will ensure that the H-6 series maintains its combat effectiveness for a long time, becoming an important component of China's aerial power.

The modernization of the H-6 series bomber demonstrates China's pragmatic approach to military innovation: rather than solely pursuing new platforms, it integrates advanced missile technology to give old platforms new roles.

In the vast waters of the Western Pacific, the H-6 fleet carrying hypersonic missiles has become a key factor in changing the balance of power in the region. Although they may not be as eye-catching as stealth bombers, their actual combat effectiveness should not be underestimated.

As more advanced missile weapons are integrated, the H-6 series will continue to be the backbone of China's aerial strategic strike force, forcing opponents to think twice before acting in the Western Pacific.



Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7552509708281627163/

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