Designed To Strike Strategic Targets Deep In Enemy Territory

China's latest variant of the H-6 bomber, designated as the H-6K, is expected to be capable of carrying hypersonic weapons, according to Chinese media.

The Global Times reports that China Central Television (CCTV) revealed that the H-6K is designed to strike strategic targets deep within enemy territories. Arming the aircraft with hypersonic weapons ... when and if they are developed ... could give the system the capability to hit military targets as much as 1,620 nautical miles away within minutes.

Chinese military analyst Wang Ya'nan told the Global Times that hypersonic weapons, which China has had under development in "recent years", the H-6K can stay in a "safe zone" and launch attacks that would be difficult to intercept due to the weapons' stealth capabilities. He said that 10 airplanes armed with six missiles each could potentially destroy 60 targets, "which could destroy the enemy."

CCTV reported that the H-6K is being used in frequent military training in conjunction with fighter jets and early warning aircraft. The same report indicated that the Chinese Air Force has been conducting full-scale beyond-visual-range aerial combat exercises with its J-20 stealth fighters.

(Image courtesy of the Chinese military)

FMI: Source report