China’s New JH-XX Medium-Range Bomber Looks Like A Powerhouse

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Key Points and Summary: China’s JH-XX stealth bomber, also referred to as the JH-36, has garnered attention following test flights coinciding with Mao Zedong’s birthday.

-The aircraft, potentially a medium-range bomber, features a tailless, stealth-optimized design, modified delta wings, and an estimated size 30% larger than the J-20 stealth fighter.

-Speculation abounds regarding its capabilities, including potential unmanned operation and substantial missile storage.

Comparisons have been drawn to the U.S.’s B-21 Raider, with possible strike ranges covering Taiwan, Guam, and even the U.S. While questions about its purpose and capabilities remain, the JH-XX signifies China’s growing ambition in next-generation aerial warfare.

China’s JH-XX Stealth Bomber, A New (Big) Weapons Platform

The Chinese stunned the world with the appearance of two new stealth aircraft on the same day, December 26, on Mao Zedong’s birthday anniversary.

Many worldwide heralded the latest and obviously staged test flights as the next leap in Chinese aviation technology, describing them as a “sixth-generation fighter,” thanks to their tailless design, stealthy features, modified delta wing, and angular features. 

Many experts believe the JH-XX, also known as the JH-36, is a medium-range bomber. The Pentagon mentioned it in the annual report on China’s military power, released in December. Since 2019, the annual report has mentioned a “JH-XX” medium bomber under development. 

One aircraft that the Chinese may have borrowed inspiration from was the failed American A-12 Avenger project of the 1980s, which the US couldn’t make work.

“The [People’s Liberation Army Air Force] is developing new medium- and long-range bombers to strike regional and global targets,” the report stated, adding the bombers are likely to have extremely low observable characteristics.

However, what was missing was the typical bombast from the CCP propaganda machine, which always sang the praises of the newest technology. Strangely, the Chinese made no public statements about the flights.

And yet others scoffed at the test flights as nothing more than China’s well-known propensity for espionage, stealing others’ designs and then reverse engineering them. 

But there are always two sides to a story, and the truth, as so often happens, lies somewhere in the middle.

What Is Known About the Aircraft

Since its flight a few weeks ago, there has been much speculation about the aircraft’s design and construction. Little is known about its capabilities. Aircraft experts continue to examine the design features and attempt to interpret them as best they can. 

In the video, the new JH-XX aircraft flies as a chase plane with China’s J-20 stealth fighter. The aircraft appears about 30 percent larger than the J-20, which is about 70 feet long. Twin landing wheels on each side indicate the weight of the aircraft. The weapon storage bays must carry a substantial missile component. The modified delta wing and tailless design stand out. 

The tailless feature allows for better performance and less aerodynamic drag. It also adds stealth by reducing the aircraft’s radar signature. The USAF is also working on a tailless design for the NGAD (Next Generation Air Dominance) fighter. 

NGAD Fighter via Lockheed Martin.

However, the drawback is that a tailless design can compromise maneuverability. There doesn’t appear to be any thrust vectoring control in the aircraft. Chengdu will likely manufacture the design since it also produces the J-20.

The aircraft’s three intakes and three exhausts suggest that it has three engines, which makes it very heavy and reduces its range and payload. This would also help explain the twin landing gear. 

The cockpit is wide enough for two pilots to fly side-by-side or in tandem. One aviation expert thinks the aircraft could be unmanned, and the dark cockpit window of the prototype in the video was just painted on. The J-20 chase plane was there in case he needed to take over the flight in an emergency.

The amount of weapon storage space and range will be important to monitor. The JH-36 or JH-XX may have the range to strike Taiwan, Guam, and possibly the United States. It would be China’s answer to the US B-2 and B-21 Raider bombers. 

At such an early stage, there are more questions than answers. My good friend Alex Hollings of Sandboxx and Airpower commented, “We currently don’t know whether these aircraft are the equivalent of American X-Planes, or experimental aircraft never meant to go straight into service at all, but rather serve as testbeds for emerging technologies to be integrated into later designs. 

“They could also be technology demonstrators which are meant to demonstrate and mature technologies. Of course, they could be prototypes of new fighters meant to enter service in a similar form to how they look today, but even prototypes often see significant design revisions before making their way into service, particularly when bringing new technologies to bear.”

NGAD fighter from U.S. Air Force.

Either way, China is in a race with the United States for supremacy of the skies and the sea. And they are getting very expansionary for the first time in their history. They believe that they’ll win in a shooting war with the US. But the one thing China has always been is patient. And they’re going to wait until they are ready. Is the US still ahead? Yes, but China is gaining ground quickly. And the JH-XX is a great example. 

About the Author: Steve Balestrieri 

Steve Balestrieri is a 19FortyFive National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing for 1945, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in other military publications.