The Xian H-6 is a license-built variant of the Soviet’s Tupolev Tu-16 twinjet bomber, introduced in 1969 for People’s Liberation Army Air Force of China.
Table of Contents
- Specifications
- Photo Gallery
- Description
- Manufacturer:
- Xian
- Country:
- China
- Manufactured:
- 1960 to: Present
- ICAO:
- H-6
- Price:
- US$46 million (1980)
- Performance
- Weights
- Dimensions
- Avionics:
- Engine:
- 2x Xian WP8
Jet - Power:
- 21,000 pound-force
- Max Cruise Speed:
- 570 knots
1,056 Km/h - Approach Speed (Vref):
- Travel range:
- 3,200 Nautical Miles
5,926 Kilometers - Fuel Economy:
- Service Ceiling:
- 42,000 feet
- Rate of Climb:
- 3600 feet / minute
18.29metre / second - Take Off Distance:
- 2100 metre - 6,889.68 feet
- Landing Distance:
- 1539 metre - 5,049.15 feet
- Max Take Off Weight:
- 79,000 Kg
174,163 lbs - Max Landing Weight:
- 46,000 Kg
101,412 lbs - Max Payload:
- 39,000 Kg
85,979 lbs - Fuel Tank Capacity:
- 12,125 gallon
45,898 litre - Baggage Volume:
- Seats - Economy / General:
- 6 seats
- Seats - Business Class:
- Seats - First Class:
- Cabin Height:
- Cabin Width:
- Cabin Length:
- Exterior Length:
- 34.8 metre - 114.17 feet
- Tail height:
- 10.36 metre - 33.99 feet
- Fuselage Diameter:
- 2 metre - 6.56 feet
- Wing Span / Rotor Diameter:
- 33 metre - 108.27 feet
- Wing Tips:
- No Winglets
click / tap to open full screen gallery
Xian H 6K Strategic Bomber China Air Force.
credit: Pavel "Myth" YB
Xian H 6K Strategic Bomber China Air Force.
credit: Pavel "Myth" YB
Xian H 6K Strategic Bomber China Air Force 1
credit: Pavel "Myth" YB
Xian H 6K Strategic Bomber China Air Force 1
credit: Pavel "Myth" YB
Xian H 6K Strategic Bomber China Air Force
credit: Pavel "Myth" YB
Xian H 6K Strategic Bomber China Air Force
credit: Pavel "Myth" YB
Xian H 6K landing
credit: Alert5
Xian H 6K landing
41171 China Air Force Xian H 6K
credit: Dmitry
41171 China Air Force Xian H 6K
credit: Dmitry
Xian H 6K China Air Force
credit: Pavel "Myth" YB
Xian H 6K China Air Force
credit: Pavel "Myth" YB
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In the late 1950s, China acquired several Tu-16 twin-engine jet bombers from the Soviet Union that were later designated as the Xian H-6. In 1959, the first indigenously produced Xian H-6 conducted its maiden flight. Approximately 160 to 180 aircraft were domestically produced.
The H-6 was built as a strategic bomber, originally planned to act as a nuclear bomb deterrent which then paved the way to a more traditional bombing role due to technological advancements such as ballistic missiles launched from land or by submarine. As a result, ballistic missiles entirely abolished the need for aircraft in the dame nuclear delivery role.
Strategic bombers were popular since the First World War and needed an aircraft design with a strong built-in endurance concept that can haul thousands of pounds of ordnance over enemy territory, aiming particular enemy positions such as factories. After some time, Chinese H-6 bombers were improved to support guided missile ordnance to lengthen their functionality on the battlefield for years.
The Xian H-6 has a smooth cylindrical fuselage with an external length of 34.8 meters, a height of 10.36 meters, and a diameter of 2 meters. It has a retractable undercarriage which incorporates a two-wheeled nose leg and four-wheeled main legs. It has a wheelbase of 11.6 meters. The wide-spanning sweptback wings have a wingspan of 33 meters and a wing area of 165 square meters. It can accommodate up to four crew members.
The aircraft is powered by two Xian WP-8 turbojet engines mounted within the wing roots which produce a maximum thrust of 21,000 lbf each. It has a maximum speed of 570 knots and a travel range of 3,200 nautical miles. It can fly up to 42,000 feet and can climb at a rate of 3,600 feet per minute. The takeoff distance is 2,100 meters while the landing distance is 1,539 meters.
The Xian H-6 has a maximum takeoff weight of 79,000 kg, a maximum landing weight of 46000 kg, a maximum payload of 39,000 kg, and a fuel capacity of 12,125 gallons.
All Xian Aircraft
- Xian H-6 |
- Xian JH-7 |
- Xian MA60 |
- Xian MA600 |
- Xian MA700 |
- Xian Y-20 |
