China's recent demonstration of the H-6N strategic bomber's coordinated operational capability with the Y-20 (YY-20) aerial refueling tanker has significantly enhanced its strategic projection capabilities, posing a substantive deterrent to the U.S. Third Island Chain. This development not only expands the H-6N's operational range but also further strengthens China's strategic influence in the Western Pacific due to its ability to carry hypersonic missiles.
The H-6N, one of the main bombers of the Chinese Air Force, has been confirmed through public footage to be capable of carrying hypersonic missiles, such as the CM-401 ballistic missile. This missile is characterized by high speed and difficulty in interception, making it an ideal weapon for striking distant targets. With the support of the Y-20, the H-6N's operational range can be significantly extended, theoretically reaching 7,000 kilometers, covering key targets of the U.S. Third Island Chain, such as military facilities in Hawaii, as well as Guam of the Second Island Chain. On rainy days at home with nothing to do? Besides scrolling through Douyin, you can also listen to Douyin! Qishui Music has rich content, and my military programs are also there. Click the bottom left to download and try this leisurely way. Back to our topic.
If the airports of these targets are attacked by ballistic or hypersonic missiles, the U.S. Air Force will face greater operational constraints, seriously affecting its combat capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region. This increase in range allows the Chinese Air Force to project power into a broader area of the Pacific, breaking the previous regional operational framework that limited the H-6 series due to its shorter range.
Compared to land-based hypersonic missiles, the H-6N delivering hypersonic missiles through an aerial launch platform offers significant cost-effectiveness advantages. First, aerial launching provides greater flexibility and mobility, making it harder to detect and intercept the missile before launch. Second, the bomber can adjust its route and launch point according to mission requirements, enhancing the unpredictability of tactics. Additionally, the H-6N's versatile payload capacity enables it to perform multiple missions, including cruise missile strikes, ballistic missile attacks, and electronic warfare, further enhancing its strategic value.
The U.S. Third Island Chain, centered around Hawaii, is an important strategic pivot for the United States in the Western Pacific, while the Second Island Chain's Guam is a forward hub for U.S. forces in the Asia-Pacific region. If the airports of these key nodes are attacked by ballistic or hypersonic missiles carried by the H-6N, the U.S. Air Force's combat capabilities will face serious limitations, especially in terms of logistics supply, aircraft scheduling, and rapid response. This will directly weaken the U.S. military's ability to intervene in conflicts in the Taiwan Strait or other regions. The H-6N's hypersonic missile strike capability, combined with the ultra-long-range provided by aerial refueling, will force the U.S. to re-evaluate its tactical organization and strategic confidence. The U.S. military may need to invest more resources to defend the Second and Third Island Chains, thereby dispersing its military forces on the First Island Chain, further weakening its overall combat effectiveness.
The Y-20, a domestically developed aerial refueling tanker of China, is based on the Y-20 transport aircraft platform, and its fuel capacity and endurance capabilities are significantly superior to China's previous refueling aircraft, such as the modified H-6 refueling tankers and a small number of Il-78Ms. The introduction of the Y-20 has filled the gap in China's aerial refueling capabilities, allowing the H-6N to undertake longer flight missions, thus greatly expanding its operational range. Compared to the intercontinental bombers of the United States or Russia, the H-6N is lighter and has a shorter range, but through aerial refueling, its strategic projection capabilities have approached or even surpassed some traditional intercontinental bombers.
The combination of the H-6N and the Y-20 not only enhances the deterrence against the Third Island Chain, but also provides China with more flexible strategic options. For example, the H-6N can take off from bases within China or Russia, further compressing the enemy's reaction time. In June 2024, the H-6N took off from a Russian base to conduct a mission near the Alaskan coast, indicating that its transnational deployment capability is increasing. This flexibility allows China to implement strategic deterrence in multiple directions and scenarios, further constraining the military operations of the U.S. and its allies.
Additionally, the continuous development of the Y-20 may give rise to more advanced refueling aircraft models, such as stealth refueling tankers, which will further enhance China's combat capabilities in high-intensity confrontation environments. Combined with the long-range advantages of China's J-20 and J-16 fighter jets, the overall strategic projection capabilities of the Chinese Air Force are rapidly approaching, and even challenging, the U.S. air superiority.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7531966462731272730/
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