China's H-6K Nuclear Cruise Missile Bomber

[Doug Robertson]

In June 2013 the Chinese People's Liberation Army accepted the first of 15 new Hongzha-6 H-6K bombers each capable of carrying four nuclear-capable Changjian-10 (long sword) cruise missiles on four underwing pylons plus two more in its bomb bay. Combat range from China's mainland now extends to Okinawa, Guam and the Hawaiian Islands.

The upgraded jet bomber is a variant of the Soviet Tupolev Tu-16 Badger that first flew in 1959. Versions of the Badger have been used by the Chinese Air Force since 1968. The H-6K is powered by two Russian jet engines that can increase its range up to 5,500 miles. The CJ-10 missile carried uses China's Beidou satellite navigation system for guidance and the cruise missile itself has a 1,500 mile range.

We received warning in 2012 from Russia's former Rocket Forces chief of staff, retired Gen. Victor Yesin that some of Chinese ground and air-launched DH-10 cruise missiles are nuclear-armed. The CJ-10 is a version of the DH-10. A prototype H-6 bomber was used to airdrop China's first three-stage thermonuclear device at the Lop Nor Nuclear Weapon Test Base at Malan, Xinjiang on 17 June 1967.

China is likely to develop several new long-range bombers to succeed the H-6K having a range of 7,500 miles., with an upgraded variable land-attack cruise missile, the CJ-20.

The H-6K nuclear bomber is a swept-wing with marked anhedral monoplane twin jet with dual wheel retractable tri-gear.