The JH-XX bomber is shrouded in secrecy and speculation, but the project should represent a significant leap in China’s military aviation capabilities.
As the second stealth bomber confirmed by U.S. intelligence, after the Xian H-20, the JH-XX is poised to enhance China’s regional strike capabilities and alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region.
Barely anything is known about China’s second stealth bomber. Chinese officials have remained eerily quiet about the project. Analysts are still not positive what the bomber even looks like, and most of them base their speculations on an airframe that may or may not actually be the JH-XX.
So What Is the JH-XX?
The JH-XX, also referred to as the J-36 by some military analysts, is a tactical stealth bomber under development by the People’s Republic of China. It is designed to fill the gap between strategic bombers like the H-20 and smaller, tactical fighter jets. The aircraft, or what we think is the aircraft, was first publicly observed in December 2024 flying over Chengdu, Sichuan, accompanied by a Chengdu J-20S twin-seater stealth fighter as a chase plane.
The aircraft in question seems to feature a tailless flying-wing design, which is optimized for stealth.
This design reduces radar cross-section, making the aircraft harder to detect by enemy radar systems. The bomber is speculated to be capable of long-range strikes and nuclear-weapons delivery, adding a strategic dimension to its tactical role.
What Might the JH-XX Be Capable of?
While specific details about the JH-XX’s capabilities remain classified, several key features and potential capabilities have been inferred from its design and observed flight characteristics. First, as said, the JH-XX is designed with a tailless flying-wing configuration, which significantly enhances its stealth characteristics.
The stealth technology employed in the JH-XX is likely to be on par with fifth-generation fighter jets, incorporating features such as supercruise, thrust vectoring, and advanced materials to further reduce its visibility.
It is speculated that the new jet is a tactical medium-range strike bomber designed to conduct long-range strike missions deep into enemy territory. This capability is crucial for regional power projection and deterrence, enabling China to target strategic locations far from its borders.
Its speculated capability to deliver nuclear weapons would significantly enhance China’s nuclear deterrence capabilities.
In terms of avionics and sensors, the JH-XX is likely to be equipped with state-of-the-art systems that provide superior situational awareness and targeting capabilities. These advanced systems would enable the bomber to operate effectively in contested environments, where electronic warfare and countermeasures are prevalent. Like everything else, there is no official confirmation on any of this yet.
There is also speculation that the JH-XX could be operated unmanned, allowing for more flexibility in mission choice. This capability would enable the bomber to undertake high-risk operations without putting pilots in harm’s way.
The aircraft is expected to have a large internal weapons bay, capable of carrying a variety of missiles and precision-guided munitions. This would allow the JH-XX to engage a wide range of targets, from hardened bunkers to mobile missile launchers.
Geopolitical Implications
The eventual introduction of the JH-XX bomber into China’s arsenal will likely have profound implications for regional security in the Indo-Pacific. The JH-XX’s medium-range strike capability will enable China to project power beyond its borders in the region. This could be used to deter adversaries and assert China’s influence in contested regions such as the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.
\The JH-XX, with its purported advanced stealth and strike capabilities, could challenge the air superiority of regional powers like Japan, South Korea, and India. This could lead to an arms race as these countries seek to counterbalance China’s growing aerial capabilities.
The ability to deliver nuclear weapons from a stealth platform like the JH-XX, by enhancing China’s nuclear deterrence, could complicate the strategic calculations of other nuclear powers in the region, including the United States.
Thus, the deployment of the JH-XX could exacerbate regional tensions and lead to increased militarization. But the JH-XX’s capabilities could also force the United States to rethink its military strategy in the Indo-Pacific.
The U.S. may need to invest in new technologies and platforms to maintain its strategic edge and ensure the security of its allies in the region.
Too Little Info to be Sure
The JH-XX bomber might be a significant advancement in China’s military aviation capabilities if the rumors about it are true. Its stealth, medium-range strike, and potential nuclear delivery capabilities make it a formidable addition to China’s arsenal.
The bomber’s introduction is likely to have far-reaching implications for regional security, potentially altering the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific.
As China continues to develop and deploy advanced military technologies, the strategic landscape of the region will undoubtedly evolve, with significant consequences for global security.
About the Author: Isaac Seitz
Isaac Seitz, a 19FortyFive Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
