While the PRC isn’t in the habit of disclosing the technical details of its weapons platforms, some information has come out regarding the H-20’s design. Superficially, it looks similar to the B-2 Spirit and B-21 Raider developed by Northrop Grumman in 1997 and 2023, respectively. The design is somewhat different, but it’s easy to speculate that the H-20 was inspired by the American systems as a launchpad in its design. It’s a subsonic flying wing design, measuring an estimated 100 feet in length.
Based on its apparent size, the H-20 will likely be able to take off with a payload of 60 tons. Additionally, the aircraft’s range is anywhere between 2,000 miles in some outlets to 5,280 miles, based on the Pentagon’s annual report to Congress in 2021. Like American strategic bombers, the H-20 will likely be able to carry both conventional and nuclear weapons, including missiles and bombs.
The H-20’s top speed is unknown, though it will be subsonic, meaning it won’t be able to fly as fast as Mach 1 (761 mph). Additionally, the H-20 bears a similar design to American stealth aircraft, suggesting it will implement similar technology. China developed stealth technology for its Chengdu J-20 fighter, so the tech is available. That said, stealth technology for a fighter and a bomber of significantly different sizes and shapes isn’t the same thing, so the H-20’s stealth capabilities remain an unknown factor.
