Xian H-20

The Xian H‑20 is a strategic heavy‑lift bomber developed by China’s Xi’an Aircraft Industrial Corporation (XAC) under the People’s Liberation Army Air Force. Design work began in the early 2010s as Beijing sought a long‑range, stealthy platform capable of penetrating advanced air defenses and delivering both conventional and nuclear payloads. The aircraft made its first flight in 2023, and series production is expected to start within the next few years, marking China’s entry into a fourth‑generation bomber family alongside the H‑6 and future H‑6K variants.

Key features include a blended‑wing body with internal weapons bays, a low‑observable radar cross‑section, and twin high‑bypass turbofan engines providing a maximum range of over 8,000 km with a payload of up to 30 tonnes. Advanced avionics, network‑centric data links, and a fly‑by‑wire flight control system enable precision strike, rapid re‑tasking, and high‑altitude cruise. The H‑20’s incorporation of stealth shaping and composite materials reduces detection by radar and infrared sensors.

Its significance lies in extending China’s strategic reach, providing a credible long‑range deterrent, and reshaping regional air‑power dynamics. The H‑20 also demonstrates the maturation of Chinese aerospace engineering, showcasing indigenous development of sophisticated stealth bomber technology.

Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation

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