<div><img class=”invisible” style=”display: none” src=”[images%7COpenAccessDataProvider]1053790c-7ee7-4cb5-8913-826777a6e088?sfvrsn=ecb43531_2″></div><div class=”w-100 position-relative”> <img src=”/ResourcePackages/Janes/assets/dist/images/placeholder-16-9.jpg” class=”invisible w-100″> <div style=”background-image: url(“https://www.janes.com/images/default-source/news-images/bsp_73835-jdw-26137.jpeg?sfvrsn=ecb43531_2″)” class=”news-hero bg-center bg-cover position-absolute left-0 top-0 h-100 w-100″></div></div>
<p class=”text-body text-muted small”>This conceptualised graphic of a new air-launched vehicle recently carried by a Xi’an H-6MW bomber is based on a low-quality photograph. The new air vehicle is possibly based on the design and development of other Chinese air vehicles such as the WZ-8 and MD-22, and a new HSV. (Janes)</p>
<p>A Chinese Xi’an Aircraft Company (XAC) H-6MW bomber has been photographed in flight while carrying a new type of air-launched vehicle.</p>
<p>The H-6MW is a specialised, cruise missile-carrying variant of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s (PLAAF’s) strategic bomber. <em>Janes </em>has previously assessed that the aircraft is the airborne launch platform for the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) WZ-8 supersonic, high-altitude reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).</p>
<p>However, the new aerial vehicle seen carried by the bomber differs in design from the WZ-8, suggesting it could be part of a new programme to develop a supersonic or hypersonic air vehicle. A photograph of the H-6MW carrying the new aerial vehicle first appeared on Chinese social media from the third week of April. The programme is likely inspired by the WZ-8 programme.</p>
<p>Powered by two liquid-fuelled (possibly hydrazine-based) rocket engines, the WZ-8 has two outward canted fins on the wingtips as well as what appears to be a conformal synthetic aperture radar under its wings and dorsal satellite communication or navigation antennas. The WZ-8 is operational with the PLAAF’s 30th Air Regiment, operating from Luhe-Ma’an Air Base near Nanjing.</p>
<p>The WZ-8 is estimated to have a length of between 11.5 and 13 m and a wingspan of between 4.5 and 6.7 m.</p>
<p>The new air vehicle seen on the H-6MW is assessed by <em>Janes</em></p><p><strong></strong></p>
<p class=”text-body text-muted small”>This conceptualised graphic of a new air-launched vehicle recently carried by a Xi’an H-6MW bomber is based on a low-quality photograph. The new air vehicle is possibly based on the design and development of other Chinese air vehicles such as the WZ-8 and MD-22, and a new HSV. (Janes)</p>
<p>A Chinese Xi’an Aircraft Company (XAC) H-6MW bomber has been photographed in flight while carrying a new type of air-launched vehicle.</p>
<p>The H-6MW is a specialised, cruise missile-carrying variant of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s (PLAAF’s) strategic bomber. <em>Janes </em>has previously assessed that the aircraft is the airborne launch platform for the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) WZ-8 supersonic, high-altitude reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).</p>
<p>However, the new aerial vehicle seen carried by the bomber differs in design from the WZ-8, suggesting it could be part of a new programme to develop a supersonic or hypersonic air vehicle. A photograph of the H-6MW carrying the new aerial vehicle first appeared on Chinese social media from the third week of April. The programme is likely inspired by the WZ-8 programme.</p>
<p>Powered by two liquid-fuelled (possibly hydrazine-based) rocket engines, the WZ-8 has two outward canted fins on the wingtips as well as what appears to be a conformal synthetic aperture radar under its wings and dorsal satellite communication or navigation antennas. The WZ-8 is operational with the PLAAF’s 30th Air Regiment, operating from Luhe-Ma’an Air Base near Nanjing.</p>
<p>The WZ-8 is estimated to have a length of between 11.5 and 13 m and a wingspan of between 4.5 and 6.7 m.</p>
<p>The new air vehicle seen on the H-6MW is assessed by <em>Janes</em></p><p><strong></strong></p>