Yep, the PLAAF has kept up its venerable H-6 line, producing yet another version, this one for standoff cruise missile launches. First rumored for many years, then hinted at by Richard Fisher of Heritage, and now finally confirmed with a picture. I’d say the H-6 will continue to soldier on into ~ 2010-2015, after service for ~ 70 years! Amazing, well I guess the Tu-95 and B-52 are still in service, and with the B-52 being considered for an ECM role, it’s not that amazing.
The new cruise missile carrier is called H-6H, and the missiles appear to be different from the C-611s pictured in the H-6D image (carrying 2 missiles under pylons). The new version carries 4 missiles, probably a new targetting radar as well. Engines probably the same as in the -Ds, electronics probably modernized.
Credit to HT of CMA.
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January 14, 2003 at 4:39 pm