China unveils its B-2 stealth bomber copy cat developed from stolen B-2 plans

NathanE

NathanE

NathanE

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http://www.cnet.com/8301-13639_1-9894658-42.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLx5PLvsC58

China's H-8 stealth bomber may be more advanced than the American B-2A and capable of delivering a 350-kiloton nuclear warhead to the continental U.S., or it could be a mock-up of the A-12 "Flying Dorito."

(Credit: PLAAF)Those are just two of the rumors accompanying a video trumpeting some recent triumphs of Chinese aviation. Although it's "top secret," Chinese quasi-official Web sites brag that the Xian H-8 is a carbon-fiber, "special nanotechnology"-coated, stealth, strategic, heavy bomber all rolled into one.

What we know for sure is that it has a range of 11,000 kilometers, without refueling, but it could refuel if it wanted to--possibly. In any case, it has extra-large fuel tanks. It has a crew of two and travels at Mach 1.2, or maybe 1.4. It carries an 18-ton bomb payload and/or 12 new Stealth cruise missiles with a range of 3,000 kilometers. And three nuclear missiles, at least.

A prototype was successfully tested last year (witnessed by the deputy mayor of Xian) and will enter mass production and active service in the People's Liberation Army Air Force by 2010. Then again, it's an enlarged version of the H-6 with the underwing engines, a project that was canceled in the 1970s. It has four Ws-10A engines based on Russian or U.S. technology--or both--and was designed by the 603 Institute.

Oh, and it was made possible by stolen American technology. Even with pilfered stealth technology, though, China will probably not have had "enough time to successful fabricate and assemble a working aircraft," Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense hopes.

And the "Flying Dorito"? The McDonnell Douglas A-12 stealth, carrier-borne, attack-aircraft was canceled in the 1990s by then-Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney. Or was it?
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If real, these will be on eBay for £0.01 with £59m shipping by this time next year.
 
Mass manufactured plastic B-2s, 'MADE IN CHINA' on the underside of the left wing. Prone to lead poisoning and breakage every 2 months.
 
It's obviously some sort of "look at us" ploy by the Chinese, but I what i want to know is this. What the hell is the futuristic looking Fighter/Interceptor pictured at 0:40s?
 
Nickg said:
the other one looks like an unhealthy cross between a Tornado and a Jaguar.
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It's the JH-7, it's been flying for over 20 years now (and it's still ****) so I don't know why they thought to put it in that video alongside the CGI 'Stealth Bomber'.
 
hm i know, a little odd.

but let me ask this, is Mach 1.2 or even 1.4 really sufficient to get a bomber from China to the US or wherever? i would have though double that would have been more "impressive" in a modern era surely?
 
Moses99p said:
That's only the speed, not the range or whatever. The important factor would be how it's a stealth bomber, so it would be trés hard to detect.

As already mentioned though, those are photos of a new plane, they are just drawings, CGI, whatever. Show me a proper source and I'll believe you. *facepalm*
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ya thats what i mean, a swooping F22 wouldnt take long to spot a Dorito shaped flying wing limping along at 900mph....double the speed gets the crew and payload there (and whats coming back) in less than half the time, obviously, going double speed - reducing the risk of being spotted/intercepted by quite a large %
 
Nickg said:
ya thats what i mean, a swooping F22 wouldnt take long to spot a Dorito shaped flying wing limping along at 900mph....double the speed gets the crew and payload there (and whats coming back) in less than half the time, obviously, going double speed - reducing the risk of being spotted/intercepted by quite a large %
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How do you see a black aircraft at night? Especially when you've had no radar warning from which to scramble interceptors?
 
KNiVES said:
Looks fake to me.
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Does it ever. A couple of "artist impression" images of 2 aircraft roughly based on the shape of a B-2 and then some shots of a fighter bomber that entered service best part of 20 years ago.

I don't doubt China has managed to pinch stealth and other secret aeronautical technology from America but going all Konkordski and building a hugely expensive long range strategic bomber makes little sense. China has far more pressing requirements when it comes to updating their armed services.

Even the article seems confused. Near the end calling it an enlarged H-6 bomber. The H-6 is a 100% conventional looking aircraft.
 
China: hey yanks, I have bonds worth trillions of USD here.

Yank: :eek::eek:

China: Thats right, share a bit of your stealth technology and I promise I won't convert them to EURO.

Yank: Ok, just a bit *gives blueprints*
 
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