The newsworthy of this picture is not the low-level penetration bomb run -- which the K model is primarily designed to perform -- rather the serial number of 11193 confirming that the PLAAF 8th Bomber Division now has at least 14 H-6K (god of war) model in its orbat.
The other H-6K unit is the PLAAF 10th bomber division
PLAAF "in the news" of the day: H-6K, god-of-war (small g)
H-6K bombers delivered to PLA Air Force
By Chen Boyuan
China.org.cn, June 22, 2013
http://www.china.org.cn/china/2013-06/22/content_29197824.htm
The
Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force recently received 15 H-6K
bombers with nuclear capabilities, according to British military digest
Jane’s Defence Weekly.
The H-6K, an updated version of the H-6
bomber, is a medium-sized craft designed for long-range attacks,
stand-off attacks and large-area air patrol. Unlike its predecessor, the
H-6K can carry cruise missiles under its wings. The H6-K also maneuvers
more deftly than the H-6 and requires a smaller crew to operate. Jane’s
Defence was the first media outlet to confirm that the H6-K had
formally entered active service.
The most visible departure from
the H-6 is the H6-K’s nose, where a nose randome has replaced a
navigation cabin. Military expert Fu Qianshao said that the H6-K’s nose
should greatly improve avionics, search and detection, navigation, fire
control and weapon precision.
Fu said that the H-6K has a larger
engine inlet than does the H-6, which may mean that the newer bomber’s
engines have greater thrust. If so, the H-6K would also have a greater
maximum takeoff weight and payload than the H-6. A more favorable
weight-to-thrust ratio would improve fuel efficiency and lengthen
cruising range, Fu said.
H-6K reportedly has a combat radius of
3,500 KM. The nuclear-capable Changjian (long sword)-10 cruise missiles
it carries have a range of 1,500-2,000 KM, effectively extending the
bomber’s combat range to 4,000-5,000 KM - long enough to reach Okinawa,
Guam and even Hawaii from China’s mainland.
Analysts stipulated
that PLA Air Force missiles be able to reach Taiwan, southwestern Japan
and Guam, a range of control that requires a 3,000-KM combat radius and
powerful attack capability. Only the combined combat radii of the H6-K
and Changjian-10 currently satisfy the length requirement.
Final installment of D-30KP-2 delivered to China
The following is a Google translated news from (
here), the same in Chinese (
here).
Thus far there are two known use of D-30KP-2 by the "Chinese customer"
they are the H-6K "God of War" bomber program and the KJ-2000 Mainring
AWAC fleet. Since the existing KL-2000 fleet does not require 55 new
engines, it is likely that more H-6K will be manufactured in due course.
NPO "Saturn", 25 March 2011
http://www.aviatablo.ru/node/37485/
March 23 fifth installment of D-30KP-2 production of JSC "NPO Saturn"
put the Chinese customer. This is the final party of 11 engines, the
contract between Rosoboronexport and the China People's Republic, which
entered into force in April 2009, to supply 55 engines for the period
until 2012.
Delivery of the final installment of D-30KP-2 is scheduled before the
end of March this year. Contract also provides technical support from
the manufacturer within the warranty period.
The previous four parties of D-30KP-2 were delivered by the Russian
side, respectively, in November 2009, March, May and October 2010.During
the acceptance of work members of the Chinese delegation and a
representative of the PRC Embassy in Moscow, Zheng Kai noted with
satisfaction the early and qualitative performance of OAO "Saturn"
contractual obligations.
According to the commercial director of NPO Saturn, Sergei Popov, "for"
Saturn ", which has longstanding friendly relations with Chinese
customers, a great honor to successfully complete the work under this
contract. We look forward to an early extension of the Russian-Chinese
cooperation. In particular, the continued supply of engines to China,
the D-30KP-2.
