Foreign media once again hype the "H-6N bomber carrying a large hypersonic ballistic missile", making the "aircraft carrier killer" even more powerful. If true, it means that China's long-range target strike capability in area denial and anti-access operations has further improved.

The US "Defense Blog" reported that a Chinese H-6N bomber was photographed with a large air-launched ballistic missile hanging under its belly, triggering various speculations: whether China has already possessed the capability of air-launched hypersonic glide vehicles (HGV).

The photos circulated on the mainland social media. From the shape and size of the missile, it may be an airborne version of the DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile. The third stage at the front is noteworthy; its shape strongly indicates the adoption of a booster glide system, launched like a ballistic missile, but gliding at hypersonic speed and maneuvering towards the target during terminal descent.

The report stated that this aircraft is the H-6N, a special modification of the H-6, designed for long-range strike missions. Its recessed bomb bay allows it to carry large missiles along the centerline of the aircraft, such as this suspected air-launched hypersonic system.

Although the Chinese authorities have not commented on the images, the overall size and shape of the missile indicate that it may be an airborne derivative of the DF-21D. The DF-21D is one of the most famous land-based anti-ship ballistic missiles of the Rocket Force, capable of targeting aircraft carrier strike groups, thus attracting close attention from the United States and its allies.

Analysts pointed out that the front end of the warhead of the missile is very similar to known hypersonic glide body designs, meaning that the missile's maneuverable warhead's speed and evasion capabilities have been practically optimized. Existing missile defense systems are difficult to intercept such weapons, intensifying people's imagination about China's long-distance target strike capability.

In fact, the US "The War Zone" reported in September 2022 that the H-6N bomber carries an air-launched anti-ship ballistic missile, similar to the Kh-47 "Kinzhal" carried by the Russian MiG-31 (Kinzhal), with the ability to sink large warships in one blow over an ultra-long distance, often described as the "carrier killer".

However, at that time, the report speculated that the missile hanging under the belly of the H-6 was an airborne version of the DF-15. China is continuously developing its "anti-access/area denial" strategy, immediately demarcating no-go zones in case of emergencies and warning the United States against intervention with military or economic strength.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1828649081456666/

Disclaimer: This article only represents the views of the author.