The advent of H-6N long-range bomber equipped with aerial refueling tubes shows that China already has a reliable air-based strategic strike force; however, there is still a big mystery about the airborne weapons equipped with H-6N long-range bomber – air-launched Dongfeng ballistic missiles.
Recently, this mystery seemed to be revealed. On the satellite pictures released by Dingsheng Huitong, the cylindrical object pointed by the red arrow (longer than the auxiliary fuel tank) next to H-6 bomber is most likely the legendary air-launched DF-21D ballistic missile, which has been rumored in as early as 2015.
Many years ago, the United States and the Soviet Union have tested bombers or transport planes carrying land-based ballistic missiles into the air for testing of air-launched ballistic missiles. However, only Russia’s has been in service. Based on Iskander (SS-26 Stone) missile, Russia has developed “Kinzhal” missile, thus becoming the first officially launched air-launched hypersonic weapon with a flight speed of about 10 times the speed of sound. The picture shows the cylindrical pointed object pointed by the red arrow, which is suspected to be a DF-21D ballistic missile on a trailer.
The United States is currently conducting tests of “air-launched rapid-reaction weapons” (ARRW, AGM-183A), and its flight speed is about 5 times the speed of sound. According to military analyst “Global Frontier Watch”, China certainly does not fall behind in this field. The most suitable weapon for conversion is the existing Dongfeng series ballistic missile; if the air-launched Dongfeng ballistic missile is DF-21D, its hypersonic penetration ability and anti aircraft carrier function should have been taken into account. It can be predicted that there will be a situation of tripartite confrontation: China’s air-fired Dongfeng, Russian “Kinzhal” and the US ARRW.
The outside has also made bold assumptions about H-6N mounted air-launched Dongfeng ballistic missile, believing that this sharp combination can not only be used to quickly counter land targets, but may also rule the ocean. Perhaps in the near future, we can really see the official announcement of H-6N mounted air-launched Dongfeng ballistic missile. In order to adapt to the mounting of large weapons, the belly of the H-6N was remodeled, and a part was obviously recessed.
Furthermore, judging from the latest information, the production of Y-20 and H-6N / J is really amazing. There are about 13 Y-20s in the picture, about 14 new H-6 series, and more than 10 other types of aircrafts.
In another area, there are about 5 Y-20, about 11 various transport / high-tech aircrafts, about 2 new H-6 series, and it seems that there are also 2 Tu-204s for testing.