Military Aircraft
Overview
The Xian H-6 is a Chinese-built bomber derived from the Soviet Tu-16. Introduced in the late 1950s, it has been continuously upgraded for strike and missile carrier roles. The aircraft remains in service with modernized variants.
Live Fleet Activity (H-6)
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Specifications
Units
- Engine
- 2 × Xian WP8
- Engine type
- Jet
- Thrust
- 2 × 21,000 lbf · 93 kN
- Avionics
- —
- Wing tips
- No winglets
- Seats
- 6
- Crew
- —
- Cabin width
- —
- Cabin height
- —
- Cabin length
- —
- Exterior length
- 114 ft 2 in · 34.80 m
- Tail height
- 34 ft 0 in · 10.36 m
- Fuselage diameter
- 6 ft 7 in · 2.00 m
- Wing span
- 108 ft 3 in · 33.00 m
- Baggage volume
- —
- Gross weight
- —
- Empty weight
- —
- Max takeoff weight
- 174,000 lb · 79,000 kg
- Max landing weight
- 101,500 lb · 46,000 kg
- Max payload
- 86,000 lb · 39,000 kg
- Fuel capacity
- 12,150 gal · 45,900 L · 36,700 kg (Jet A)
- Max cruise speed
- 570 kt · 656 mph · 1,056 km/h
- Maximum speed
- —
- Cruise speed
- —
- Approach speed
- —
- Range
- 3,200 nm · 3,680 mi · 5,930 km
- Fuel burn
- —
- Ceiling
- 42,000 ft · 12,800 m
- Rate of climb
- 3,600 ft/min · 18 m/s
- Takeoff distance
- 6,900 ft · 2,100 m
- Landing distance
- 5,050 ft · 1,540 m
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Live fleet activity details
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Operational Context
Xian H-6 — long-range strategic bomber
The H-6 first entered Chinese service in 1959 as a licensed version of the Tu-16. It features a swept wing and twin-engine configuration mounted at the wing roots. Over time, the aircraft has been modified with updated avionics and weapons systems.
Powered by two turbofan engines producing approximately 21,000 pounds of thrust (93 kN) each depending on variant, the H-6 cruises at around 450 knots (833 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight exceeds 170,000 pounds (77,110 kg). Modern versions carry cruise missiles rather than free-fall bombs.
The H-6 remains a key component of China’s long-range strike capability. Ongoing upgrades have extended the platform’s operational life. The aircraft reflects adaptation of a Cold War design into modern service.
Sources and references used for research and fact-checking.