What's The Latest With China's Xi'an H-20 Stealth Bomber? (2024)

The Xi'an H-20 is a subsonic stealth bomber designed for the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), which is currently under development by the Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation of China. When completed, it will be the first strategic bomber developed by China. The flying wing features modern exterior materials that enable radar-absorbent capabilities.

Atlas News reports that the H-20 was announced in 2016 when General Ma Xiaotian of PLAAF revealed the idea and plan of a long-range strategic bomber. In 2018, the Chinese military confirmed that the bomber's development was going well and that the program was making significant progress.

In 2018, the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AICC) revealed a video showing some design aspects. Moreover, In 2021, PLAAF Recruitment released a video showcasing the aircraft's blended wing body design. Based on the videos, the Global Times reported, as recorded by the National Interest Organization,

"Both videos featured computer-generated scenes of an unknown large aircraft covered in a blanket, with the aircraft's outline suggesting it boasts a flying wing design, but with no further elaboration,"

Earlier this month, the Vice Commander of the PLAAF, Wang Wei, indicated that the H-20 bomber would be revealed very soon. During one of the sessions at the 14th National People's Congress, Wang showed positive signs about the H-20's progress and its plans for unveiling.

The H-20 bomber

While many design and performance details are unknown, the H-20 subsonic bomber will have an estimated operational range between 5,000 and 6,000 NM (8,500 to 10,000 km). The aircraft is aimed at bombing missions in the Second Island Chain and in the Western Pacific. With in-flight refueling capability, its range could be increased well beyond the Pacific region. The aircraft will also be capable of carrying conventional armaments and nuclear munitions in its internal and external bays.

Photo: USAF

According to Brent Eastwood, a former journalist with The National Interest,

“A heavy-payload, deep-penetration bomber would help China alter the nuclear balance with the United States. There is no current arms control agreement with the United States, and Beijing is always looking for a qualitative nuclear edge over Washington."

"The Xian H-20 could also bully China’s neighbors by reaching Japan, Guam, and the Philippines, not to mention pulling a surprise attack against Taiwan. It has an enviable range of around 5,281 miles if reports are accurate, and aerial refueling could make it to Hawaii – and even the West Coast of the United States. The H-20 could also have a weapons payload of 45 tons."

What is the latest with the H-20?

Earlier this month, General Wang Wie spoke about the progress on the H-20 bomber during the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). In an interview session, Wang made comments about various design and performance aspects of the aircraft and some development issues surrounding the program. Wang mentioned that the aircraft will be formally revealed very soon,

Wang briefly highlighted the development issues with the aircraft, particularly during the testing phase. He also eluded that once the aircraft has successfully gone through the testing phase, mass production will commence.

“This [the production process] is very fast, we will follow it immediately!”

Photo: Northrop Grumman

“There is no bottleneck, and all problems can be solved. Our [Chinese] scientific researchers are now very good and are fully capable.”

A generation of combat power

The Chinese government and Xi'an Corporation have worked tirelessly to bring state-of-the-art aircraft to the market. The new-generation technologies would allow greater combat capabilities and further upgrades. Wang responds when inquired if the new H-20 bomber is expected to enhance PLAFF's strength,

“That is definitely the case. A generation of equipment brings a generation of combat power. It is worth being proud of and excited about, something of great significance. It is a new generation, another generation of new airplanes.”

Wang also believes that the new stealth bomber will close the strength and strategic gap between China and the United States by saying,

“We don’t compete with the United States, we only defend our own security! This will be shown to everyone when the time comes!”

What are your thoughts on the Xi'an H-20 subsonic strategic bomber? Share your views in the comments section.