JH-XX: China’s Very Own Version of the B-21 Raider Bomber?

We support our Publishers and Content Creators. You can view this story on their website by CLICKING HERE.

Key Points: China’s JH-XX bomber, alongside the H-20, signals an ambitious leap in Beijing’s airpower capabilities, potentially strengthening the nuclear triad.

-While details remain scarce, the JH-XX is speculated to be a fifth- or sixth-generation stealth bomber with long-range capabilities and AESA radar, potentially rivaling the U.S. B-2 and B-21.

-A naval version could bolster China’s regional dominance.

-This development complicates arms control discussions, giving China leverage in potential negotiations or the option to expand its nuclear delivery systems.

-As China’s defense industry surges forward, the JH-XX poses strategic challenges for U.S. allies and global stability.

China’s New JH-XX Bomber Could Be Nuclear-capable 

It appears that China may have two new bombers under development: the H-20 and the JH-XX. Both could potentially deliver nuclear weapons and improve the air-launch leg of the Chinese nuclear triad. 

This is a troubling development for the United States and one that is sure to affect arms control talks if China’s supreme leader, Xi Jinping, would ever decide to come to the table to limit Chinese nuclear weapons. 

The country has at least 500 warheads and wants to have 1,000 by 2030.

JH-XX: The Bomber We Can Only Speculate About 

Not much is known about the JH-XX as the Chinese have kept it under wraps. 

We can be somewhat confident that it is a fifth- or sixth-generation bomber that is probably not ready for introduction into the People’s Liberation Army Air Force until the mid-2030s or later. 

But give Beijing credit for forging ahead with a new airplane that can deliver its payload stealthily.

China has often released drips of information on future military hardware to brag about its military-industrial complex. 

These new airplanes can be copies of American fighters, such as the J-35, which has a remarkable resemblance to the F-35.

Two Stealth Bombers Are a Great Advantage for China

China is in a good position with its bomber program. With two in development, they can discard one weaker and less practical airplane and sink time, money, and resources into the other. 

Or, in the best circumstances, continue to make two. One could be strategic, and the other could be for regional bombing. 

My bet is that both the JH-XX and H-20 will be able to span the globe with aerial refueling that makes it possible to reach the United States.

Could the JH-XX Rival the B-2 or B-21?

The JH-XX will probably resemble the B-2 Spirit or the B-21 Raider. This would make it a flying wing design with stealth attributes and a low-level radar cross-section with internal bomb bays. 

Some reports suggest the JH-XX is smaller than those American models and could be ready by the decade’s end, but that timeline is optimistic.

The JH-XX will likely have an electronically scanned array (AESA) radar for better survivability and situational awareness.

The new airplane will probably have supercruise mode, which will be more effective on long journeys. 

It is also conceivable that the Chinese could make a naval model of the JH-XX that could be launched from a carrier. 

If that is the case, then it would be a lighter tactical airplane limited to East Asia unless the Navy’s fourth aircraft carrier is nuclear-powered, which is expected. 

A naval version that could deliver a nuclear weapon would be advantageous to China’s protection of its territorial claims in the East and South China Seas.

 The JH-XX would also threaten Taiwan, Guam, South Korea, and Japa,n making it one more headache for the United States and its allies.

Development of the JX-XX Could Affect Arms Control Talks   

I’m most concerned that the JH-XX would be nuclear-capable. China has refused arms control talks recently, but newly-elected Donald Trump could give nuclear weapons limitation negotiations another go. 

If that is the case, China has an advantage with two bombers that can deliver nuclear bombs or missiles. That is why the JH-XX and H-20 could be long-range airplanes that could reach the United States. This gives China a leg up. They could bargain away one airplane and leave the other to reach full development.

The other choice for Xi Jinping is to ignore invitations to arms control talks and acquire both stealth bombers. That is again advantageous to the aerial order of battle China could execute against the United States and its friends in the region.

The JH-XX is still a mystery, but it is another example of China’s burgeoning defense industry. Beijing announces the development of new airplanes with dynamic attributes, which gives Western intelligence agencies fits trying to determine the capabilities of yet another new bomber. 

Two stealthy long—and short-range nuclear-capable bombers would allow China to enter into arms negotiations with an advantage because any nuclear weapons agreement includes the number of warheads and launchers.

This means the JH-XX and H-20 would give the Chinese more options for nuclear delivery, and Xi could thumb his nose at invitations to arms control talks. 

About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood

Brent M. Eastwood, PhD, is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare, plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.