Chinese H-6K and AKD-20 ALCM
China Defense Blog has published a report with pictures of a Chinese bomber and Su-35 escort fighter conducting patrols out and around Taiwan
The AKD20 ALCM is derived from the CJ-10 land based cruise missile and the new air launched variant is reported to have a range of 930 – 1550 miles (1500 – 2500 km), depending on its payload. (4)
The bomber was the H-6K which is an updated version of the H-6 which is, itself, a license built version of the Soviet Tu-16 Badger. Upgrades include new engines, new radome, improved ECM and defensive measures, EO/IR sensors, datalinks, composite materials of construction and improved avionics and a glass cockpit, search and attack radar, navigation, and fire control. The bomb bay was eliminated to provide additional fuel capacity for longer range. (2)(3) The bomber carries air launched cruise missiles on 6 wing hardpoints and is reported to have a combat radius of 2170 miles (3500 km). (3)
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| H-6K Bomber with AKD20 ALCM and Su-35 Fighter Escort (1) |
Given that the bomber has a combat radius of 2170 miles and can carry the AKD20 ALCM with a range of up to 1550 miles, that gives the aircraft a strike range of 3720 miles. Guam is 1952 miles (3148 km) from Fujian Province China Taiwan Guam within easy unrefueled, ALCM strike range.
If the US Guam as a significant forward base in the war with China Guam will be a major Day-1 target. The question is what will be left of Guam on Day-2?
We need to start preparing for major Day-1 defensive combat. We have not had to fight to defend an airbase since the very early days of WWII and we have not only forgotten how but we have forgotten even the necessity.
We need to quickly learn how to defend against modern cruise and ballistic missile threats. We not only need to defend but we need to learn how to mitigate damage. No defense will be perfect and we need to learn how to take hits and come out of an attack with a still functioning base. We need to figure out how to protect the aircraft and facilities that are hit so that something functional is left. We also need to give some intense thought to how to construct easily repaired bases as opposed to the exquisitely constructed bases we currently have. We need to disburse fuel, spare parts, power sources, computer facilities, etc. We need to construct hardened shelters for aircraft and facilities. No amount of hardening can totally prevent damage but sufficient hardening can mitigate damage and make the enemy's task much more difficult.
It's time to wake up and begin serious defensive preparations.
We need to start preparing for major Day-1 defensive combat. We have not had to fight to defend an airbase since the very early days of WWII and we have not only forgotten how but we have forgotten even the necessity.
We need to quickly learn how to defend against modern cruise and ballistic missile threats. We not only need to defend but we need to learn how to mitigate damage. No defense will be perfect and we need to learn how to take hits and come out of an attack with a still functioning base. We need to figure out how to protect the aircraft and facilities that are hit so that something functional is left. We also need to give some intense thought to how to construct easily repaired bases as opposed to the exquisitely constructed bases we currently have. We need to disburse fuel, spare parts, power sources, computer facilities, etc. We need to construct hardened shelters for aircraft and facilities. No amount of hardening can totally prevent damage but sufficient hardening can mitigate damage and make the enemy's task much more difficult.
It's time to wake up and begin serious defensive preparations.
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(1)China Defense Blog, “Routine patrol with AKD20 ALCM”, 13-May-2018 ,
(2)Military Today website,
(3)The National Interest website, “China Beijing 18-Dec-2016 ,
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