The air formation of the 9.3 military parade will feature various advanced domestically produced aircraft, including the H-6N bomber of the Chinese Air Force.

The H-6N Bomber of the Chinese Air Force

In terms of performance, the H-6N is currently the most advanced bomber in service with the Chinese Air Force. This model was developed from the H-6K bomber. The H-6K made significant design changes to address the shortcomings of the earlier H-6, making it essentially a completely new airborne platform. With a significant improvement in the automation and informatization level of the overall flight electronics system, the crew of the H-6K has been reduced from six to three members.

The powerplant of the H-6K consists of two Russian D-30KP-2 turbofan engines, which greatly improved the flight performance, bomb load capacity, and range. With the support of a simulated fly-by-wire control system, the overall flight quality and handling characteristics have seen a noticeable improvement. Its maximum range has increased to 8,000 kilometers. The significant increase in engine thrust has also significantly enhanced the bomb-carrying capability of the H-6K. In addition to retaining the original belly bomb bay, the wing structure has been reinforced to improve weapon mounting capabilities. The H-6K has six heavy-duty pylon mounts on each side of its wings, capable of carrying heavy munitions.

The H-6N is currently the most advanced bomber in service with the Chinese Air Force

The major improvements of the H-6N include:

Firstly, under the further reinforcement of the airframe structure, the belly internal bomb bay has been removed, and the original bomb bay door has been completely sealed. The interior has been converted into a fuel tank, and a multi-point heavy-duty pylon has been redesigned at the belly to meet the requirements for carrying large missiles or drones. At the same time, the H-6N still retains the six wing pylons of the H-6K.

Secondly, an aerial refueling probe has been added to the nose, enabling mid-air refueling. As a result, the range of the H-6N can easily exceed 10,000 kilometers, and its operational radius naturally increases significantly. Especially when fully loaded with weapons, the H-6N can attack the so-called "Second Island Chain" after one mid-air refueling; if it undergoes two mid-air refuelings, it can strike even more distant targets. This powerful long-range strike capability is not available in the H-6K, meaning that the H-6N has actually become a true strategic bomber.

Thirdly, the avionics system of the H-6N has undergone new improvements. The most important one is changing the analog fly-by-wire control system of the H-6K to a full digital redundant fly-by-wire control system. This not only reduces the weight of the entire control system but also significantly improves the flight quality of the H-6N, ensuring flight safety and stability during weapon loading. It also enhances satellite communication and data link capabilities, improves the onboard fire control system, and the self-defense electronic countermeasures system.

Fourthly, the engine has been replaced with a domestically produced turbofan engine, providing increased thrust and better fuel efficiency, which also increases the range and payload capacity of the H-6N to some extent.

Chinese Air Force H-6N Long-Range Bomber in the China-Russia Joint Patrol Formation

The H-6N, as an improved development of the H-6K, mainly aims to carry large air-launched missiles or large drones, further enhancing long-range strike capabilities and other multi-mission capabilities.

Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7544988397744423424/

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