One generation has its own bomber to build. A U.S. media outlet points out an easily overlooked reason for building the H-20

A U.S. media article stated that although the H-20 project has long been seen by the outside world as a counterpart to the B-2 and B-21, its core mission is to break through the Second Island Chain and have the capability for long-range strike with both nuclear and conventional weapons. However, there are more reasons for building the H-20.

The U.S. media pointed out that there is also a strategic thinking behind it: the inheritance of craftsmanship.

"If you want to keep a design team capable of developing large stealth aircraft, you must let them participate in contemporary projects."

This sentence reveals a fact often overlooked: bombers are not only weapons, but also works of a generation of aviation professionals.

China has a difficult past in the field of bombers. Although the H-6 series has undergone multiple upgrades, models such as the H-6K and H-6N have the capability for long-range strike with cruise missiles, even supporting air-launched ballistic missiles, but they are essentially a structural continuation of the Tu-16 from the 1950s.

Over decades, Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation mainly focused on refining this platform, but it has always lacked complete industrial process experience for building an aircraft from scratch.

This means a serious risk: if the younger generation of designers never personally experience the entire design process, then as the older generation retires, key experience will not be passed on.

In contrast, the United States completed the design of the B-2 stealth bomber in the 1980s, and then advanced the B-21 project at the beginning of this century, ensuring the continuity of the industry for two generations of stealth bombers.

China's launch of the H-20 is precisely to make up for this technical gap.

It is not only for tactical needs, but also to prevent the ability to design stealth strategic bombers from disappearing in China's aviation industry.

This is also why the U.S. media emphasizes particularly "if this design team continues to improve what their parents designed, their capabilities will deteriorate."

Bombers are the epitome of a full-system engineering project. They involve aerodynamic design, stealth materials, and integrate radar, avionics, flight control, electronic warfare systems, weapon mounting, and many other aspects. It is the final exam paper of the national aviation industry.

The H-20 may still be some time away from official deployment, but its most important significance has already been achieved.

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1843763926795356/

Statement: The article represents the views of the author.