China Will Soon Launch Hypersonic Missiles For Pre-Emptive Strikes

China's H-6K Heavy Bomber Could Soon Air-Launch Hypersonic Missiles For Pre-Emptive Attacks

As an economic war deepens between China and the US, China Central Television (CCTV) said on Tuesday that the Xian H-6 heavy bomber could be armed with hypersonic missiles that can strike targets up to 1,864 miles away within minutes, reported Global Times.

Together with Chengdu J-20 fifth-generation stealth fighters, H-6Ks could deliver pre-emptive hypersonic missile attacks deep in enemy territory, military analysts said.

"In a war, our main objective is to launch attacks on an enemy's deep and vital positions, paralyzing their facilities. This is what we especially excel at," said H-6K pilot Li Ping via a CCTV report.

Wang Ya'nan, the chief editor of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, told Global Times that H-6Ks aren't stealth bombers and cannot penetrate heavily armed aerospace; it's the plane's ability to air-launch cruise missiles that allows it to strike high-value targets deep in enemy territory.

"The H-6K can remain within a safe zone, launch its hypersonic missiles that can reach targets 2,000 kilometers [1,242 miles] away," Ya'nan said, noting that these missiles are difficult to intercept due to their stealth capabilities.

"With China developing hypersonic weapons [missiles that fly at least five times the speed of sound] in recent years, its attack range and speed could become even greater than a conventional cruise missile, potentially capable of taking out targets deep within hostile territories 3,000 kilometers [1,864] away within just a few minutes," Ya'nan predicted.

He said each H-6K could carry six hypersonic missiles, and with ten bombers, could attack 60 high-value targets at once.

During an attack, J-20s will defend H-6Ks so that they can effectively launch superfast missiles that will hit targets within minutes.

Hypersonic missiles are already being tested by the People's Liberation Army, can travel over Mach 5 and evade the world's most advanced missile defense shields.

#China has successfully tested its new aircraft, the Starry Sky-2, which can even be used to carry nuclear missiles at a speed never seen before. Recently China & #Russia showed the world their new toys. For whom they display it? What intention is behind that? #defense #Militarypic.twitter.com/XqA2AsleZn

— Cristina Font 柯伊娜 (@cfontharo) August 7, 2018