According to the U.S. "NSJ" on September 17, the second B-21 stealth bomber in the United States has completed its first flight in California and has officially entered the full testing phase.

This new platform, dubbed a sixth-generation bomber, is promoted by the U.S. military as an aerial ghost that can penetrate any existing and future air defense systems, serving as the core of the U.S. strategic strike system for decades to come.

However, U.S. media pointed out that China is accelerating the construction of an entire layered kill network specifically targeting high-value stealth platforms like the B-21.

This network does not rely on a single weapon to achieve a one-shot kill, but rather establishes a comprehensive defense net through low-frequency radar, skywave radar, long-wave detectors, airborne early warning platforms, HQ-9B/C and HQ-22 surface-to-air missiles, as well as space-based intelligence surveillance systems, making it difficult for the B-21 to guarantee zero risk of penetration even with its extreme stealth performance.

In this way, the B-21, which has just made its maiden flight, is already obsolete.

American bomber

From the perspective of system construction, China's air defense network against the B-21 is gradually completing the transformation from point to plane, from fixed to mobile, and from single guidance to multi-source integration.

Firstly, low-frequency meter wave radar and over-the-horizon skywave radar, although they have limited detection accuracy, can detect the general existence of stealth targets at long distances.

They form the first line of the air defense early warning barrier, not to directly guide missiles, but to provide target area alerts, allowing subsequent fire control systems to intervene.

Secondly, medium and long-range air defense missile systems, represented by the HQ-9B/C, are equipped with upgraded HT-233 phased array radars, which have certain anti-stealth capabilities and a range of up to 300 kilometers.

The HQ-22 serves as a mid-range blind spot filling system, playing a role in dealing with low-altitude flying targets and saturation attacks.

In addition, China has also revealed the HQ-29, which will take on the task of high-altitude defense against the B-21 and its deployed weapons in the future.

Together with airborne early warning aircraft such as the KJ-500A and the J-16D electronic warfare fighter, the entire system realizes a chain-like operation from detection to guidance and interception through AI-assisted command and multi-source information fusion.

Thus, even if the B-21 can escape traditional radar, it will face continuous tracking pressure from multiple frequency bands and angles.

J-20

Aside from ground and space-based air defense systems, China has also prepared another set of aerial ambush methods, which also pose a significant threat to the B-21.

The core is the fifth-generation fighter, which can be deployed in advance on possible breakthrough routes after receiving data from early warning aircraft or satellites, using the PL-15 long-range missile for interception.

The coordination between the J-20, J-35 series, and the KJ-500 through data links allows them to strike targets without exposing themselves, using external fire control information.

The J-16D is responsible for electromagnetic suppression and baiting tasks, forcing the B-21 to activate its equipment in an electronic interference environment, thereby revealing its position.

Additionally, carrier-based J-35 and long-endurance drones such as Xianglong can form mobile defenses in the Western Pacific and South China Sea regions.

If we ask how the B-21 is most likely to be shot down?

The answer may not be in front of the HQ-9 missile positions or within the coverage area of fixed radar stations, but during a deep penetration mission, when it chooses to fly low to avoid radar, it will be remotely locked by a J-20 that has been waiting in ambush, then intercepted at high speed by the PL-15 without realizing it.

American bomber

It should be noted that China's real strategic intention is not to shoot down the B-21 one by one.

Historical experience shows that an effective defense system does not depend on the actual number of kills, but on the impact on the opponent's confidence.

Nuclear deterrence is no different; conventional air defense is the same.

As long as the U.S. military realizes that the B-21's penetration success rate and striking power are significantly reduced, it is enough to change its operational use and deployment.

For example, the U.S. military may have to assign more electronic warfare forces and escort fighters for the B-21, leading to a significant increase in mission costs and coordination difficulties; or they may be forced to choose longer, more circuitous routes, reducing the bomb load to gain range; or even on key time points, give up the first strike and instead rely on land-based or ship-based missiles and drones for the first strike.

These changes mean that the B-21's effectiveness will drop significantly, while China gains strategic initiative and an advantage in confrontation.

Deterrence is essentially like this: there is no need to wait until real combat to shoot down the enemy's strategic platform. It is enough to weaken its capabilities and restrict it heavily before it even takes off or is equipped, thus building considerable deterrence. Therefore, it can now be said that the B-21 bomber has already been repeatedly shot down in the psychological sense before it even goes into combat...

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7551257641890005546/

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