A video posted on Chinese social media reveals yet another military aircraft undergoing test flights in what could be the long-awaited Xian H-20 stealth bomber.
The 16-second recording follows the flight of the flying wing-shaped aircraft, but with a pronounced tail with inclined vertical fins.
The aircraft is of large dimensions, which can be estimated because a J-16 fighter jet was following the flight closely. Its length would be approximately 37 meters (121 feet) in a rough comparison.
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Video also released. #H20🤔 https://t.co/uyDa9sGe5p pic.twitter.com/PuC1TMSNSc
— International Defence Analysis (@Defence_IDA) January 4, 2025
At the time of publication of this article, it was not possible to say whether the video is real or fake. It shows the same recording pattern as other advanced Chinese aircraft that appeared late last year.
Daylight flights and the sharing of videos and photos on social media in China are only intentional by the Chinese government, as part of a strategy to promote its air power.
But while the Chengdu “J-36” three-engine fighter-bomber and the Shenyang “J-50” fighter were surprise appearances, the H-20 has been mentioned by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) for many years.
Long-range strategic bomber
Illustrations of the aircraft have been published with some regularity and announcements of its presentation have circulated in the Chinese media, but without the H-20 being revealed.
However, a post from the China Flight Test Establishment on Wechat stated that a “test of a new aircraft” would take place on January 1, 2025, without any details being revealed.
The H-20 is considered a long-range strategic bomber, an aircraft capable of carrying large missiles and flying for several hours, as do the US Air Force’s B-2 Spirit stealth jets.
Unlike fighter jets, which may still be in the early stages of development, the flying wing has been in development for a long time and poses a broader global threat.
Even if the video turns out to be fake, the PLAAF is certainly well into the development of its first indigenous bomber.
