China's new long range strike bomber -- the Xian H-20 currently under development -- is being seen by some Chinese pundits as a weapon that will solve "maritime disputes that impede China's rise," a direct reference to the China-generated crises at the East and South China Sea.

The H-20 is "also of great realistic significance for countering nuclear blackmail from superpowers."

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The op-ed in one of the Communist Party of China's controlled media also argues the H-20 marks the transformation of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) "from a big force to a strong force." The H-20 will also be "an indispensable part in a major country's strategic strike system."

In addition, the new-generation H-20 "will considerably improve China's strategic attack capability" and make the PLAAF "a strategic air force in the true sense."

The authors, however, also admitted the large long-range bomber "has always been a weak point" for the PLAAF, "which is at the critical juncture of moving from quantitative accumulation to qualitative change and from being a big force to a strong force."

Interestingly, the authors revealed a wish list of what they hope the H-20 might be. They estimated the H-20 to have a range of more than 10,000 km and combat radius of over 5,000 km. With air refueling, the Chinese LRSB will be able to carry out missions around the globe.

The H-20 might have a slightly smaller bomb load than Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, which can carry a 14,000 kg payload consisting of a large variety of smart bombs, missiles and nuclear bombs.

It's claimed the H-20 will almost be as good as an airborne early warning and control aircraft (AEW&C) in its electronic warfare (EW) capability, a huge claim.

This EW will be able to "disturb and destroy incoming missiles and other air and ground targets through a range of equipment including radar, electronic confrontation platform, high power microwave, laser and infrared equipment."

The bomber is also capable of large-capacity data fusion and transmission. It can serve as a C4ISR node and interact with large sensor platforms like UAVs, AEW&C aircraft and strategic reconnaissance aircraft.

In December 2016, Rear Admiral Yin Zhuo, Director of the People Liberation Army Navy's (PLAN) Expert Consultation Committee, made interesting comments about the H-20.

He praised the H-20, saying this stealth bomber will certainly be on par with the B-2 Spirit. He confirmed the H-20 will be a stealth strategic bomber and that it might take 10 years to develop.

He noted China has gained some experience in stealth technology from the development of Chengdu J-20 and the Shenyang J-31 stealth fighters, so the material and design isn't a big problem.

Adm. Yin revealed the cruise missiles, nuclear bombs and other weapons that will arm the H-20 are all in place. This means now is the time for China to develop strategic bombers.

The H-20 is expected to have a subsonic low-observable "flying wing" configuration similar to the U.S. B-2 Spirit that's been operational since 1997. The H-20 is expected to enter service by 2025.

TagsXian H-20, china, long range strike bomber, South China Sea, Communist Party of China, Rear Admiral Yin Zhuo