The Xian H-6, also known as the Hōng-6 in Chinese, is a jet bomber aircraft utilized by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). Serving as the primary bomber of the People's Republic of China, the H-6 is a twin-engine aircraft based on the Soviet Tupolev Tu-16, manufactured under license.
 
China began receiving deliveries of the Tu-16 in 1958, and during the late 1950s, they signed a license production agreement with the Soviet Union. As of November 2020, the PLAAF possessed approximately 231 H-6 bombers.
 
The most recent iteration of the H-6 is the H-6N, which underwent significant redesigning. This variant is equipped with aerial refueling capabilities and has the capacity to carry air-launched cruise missiles. According to the United States Department of Defense, this enhancement grants the PLAAF a long-range offensive air capability, allowing them to engage targets with precision-guided munitions from a safe distance.
 
General characteristics
Crew: 4
Length: 34.8 m (114 ft 2 in)
Wingspan: 33 m (108 ft 3 in)
Height: 10.36 m (34 ft 0 in)
Wing area: 165 m2 (1,780 sq ft)
Airfoil: root: PR-1-10S-9 (15.7%); tip: PR-1-10S-9 (12%)[58]
Empty weight: 37,200 kg (82,012 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 95,000 kg (209,439 lb)
Powerplant: 2 × Soloviev D-30KP-2 turbofan engines, 118 kN (27,000 lbf) thrust each
Performance
Maximum speed: 1,050 km/h (650 mph, 570 kn)
Cruise speed: 768 km/h (477 mph, 415 kn) / 0.75M
Range: 6,000 km (3,700 mi, 3,200 nmi)
Combat range: 1,800 km (1,100 mi, 970 nmi)
Service ceiling: 12,800 m (42,000 ft)
Wing loading: 460 kg/m2 (94 lb/sq ft)
Thrust/weight: 0.24
Armament
Guns:
2× 23 mm (0.906 in) Nudelman-Rikhter NR-23 cannons in remote dorsal turret
2× NR-23 cannons in remote ventral turret
2× NR-23 cannons in manned tail turret
1× NR-23 cannons in nose (occasional addition)
Missiles:
6 or 7 KD-88 missile (anti-ship or air-to-surface)
YJ-100 (CJ-10) anti-ship missile
C-601 anti-ship missile
YJ-62 anti-ship missile
C-301 anti-ship missile
C-101 anti-ship missile
CM-802A
YJ-12 anti-ship missile
DF-21D (H-6N)
Bombs: 12,000 kg (26,400 lb) of free-fall weapons
Guided bombs
GB6
CS/BBC5
GB2A
GB5