Key Points and Summary – The U.S. remains the only country with a fielded stealth bomber (the B-2), with the B-21 Raider advancing through flight testing.
-China and Russia want in. Beijing’s Xi’an H-20 and Moscow’s PAK DA aim to break America’s monopoly on low-observable long-range strike.
H-20 Bomber. Chinese Internet Social Media Screenshot.
-On paper, both look like B-2 cousins. In reality, both are still shrouded in secrecy—and delay. Here’s what’s credible, what’s conjecture, and why it matters.
H-20 vs. PAK DA: Which Could Be Better in a Stealth Bomber Showdown?
Currently, the U.S. is the only nation in the world that possesses and operates a stealth bomber (two, including the B-21). However, America’s adversaries have been attempting to bridge the gap with various degrees of success.
Both the Russians and the Chinese have been developing their own stealth bomber programs in an attempt to break the U.S. monopoly on stealth bombers.
The Chinese are currently working on the Xi’an H-20 while the Russians have the PAK DA. B
But what is the difference between these two, and which bomber is better?
China and Russia’s Stealth Bombers
The H-20 is being developed by Xi’an Aircraft Industrial Corporation and is expected to be China’s first dedicated long-range stealth bomber. According to reports, its design closely resembles the American B-2, featuring a flying wing configuration that minimizes radar cross-section and enhances aerodynamic efficiency.
The aircraft is subsonic, prioritizing stealth over speed, and is believed to incorporate advanced features such as internal weapons bays, serrated air intakes, and foldable tail surfaces that can switch between horizontal and V-tail configurations. These design elements suggest a strong emphasis on radar evasion and survivability in contested environments.
H-20 Bomber from China Artist Rendition. Creative Commons.
In contrast, the PAK DA, developed by Russia’s Tupolev Design Bureau, also adopts a flying wing design, a significant departure from Russia’s previous bomber models like the Tu-95 and Tu-160, which emphasized speed and payload over stealth. The PAK DA is similarly subsonic and is designed to be stealthy, with radar-absorbent materials, blended engine intakes, and internal weapons bays. Russia’s shift toward stealth-based survivability reflects a broader strategic pivot, aiming to ensure its bombers can penetrate modern air defense systems without relying on speed or brute force.
Comparing Two Non-Existent Bombers
Comparing specs between the two bombers is quite difficult because all we have to work with is just estimations from propaganda sites. According to state sources, the PAK DA has better engine performance overall. It is expected to have a range of approximately 12,000 kilometers, a payload capacity of up to 30 tons, and an endurance of up to 30 hours. These figures suggest a platform capable of intercontinental missions and extended loitering, making it suitable for global strategic operations.
The H-20, by contrast, is believed to have a range of around 8,500 kilometers and a payload capacity of roughly 10 tons. While these specifications are more modest, they align with China’s strategic focus on regional deterrence and power projection within the Asia-Pacific theater.
Stealth and survivability are critical aspects of both bombers, but their effectiveness remains speculative due to the secretive nature of their development. The H-20 benefits from China’s rapid advancements in aerospace manufacturing and state-backed research and development. However, the design of the H-10 is unknown, with only unofficial artist renditions giving us a picture of what the bomber will look like. Experts suspect that the bomber will look similar to the American B-2 with a flying wing design, serrated intakes and flexible tail surfaces. Unfortunately, no design has been confirmed.
China’s H-20 Stealth Bomber. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
The PAK DA’s stealth capabilities are also uncertain. While Russia has experience with radar-absorbent coatings and stealth design principles, its industrial limitations and the impact of international sanctions raise concerns about its ability to produce high-quality stealth materials at scale.
Moreover, Russia’s track record with stealth aircraft, such as the Su-57, has been mixed, with delays and performance issues affecting credibility. The PAK DA’s success will depend heavily on its thermal management, electronic warfare capabilities, and integration with Russia’s broader military infrastructure.
Arms and Armaments
In terms of weapons and mission profiles, the H-20 is expected to carry both conventional and nuclear weapons, including precision-guided munitions and cruise missiles. Its primary role will likely involve regional strategic bombing, precision strikes, and deterrence missions targeting U.S. bases in Guam, Hawaii, and other locations within the Second Island Chain. The bomber’s design and capabilities suggest a focus on A2/AD strategies, reinforcing China’s ability to control its near seas and project power beyond its immediate periphery.
The PAK DA, on the other hand, is designed to carry a more diverse and ambitious weapon suite, including nuclear-tipped cruise missiles like the Kh-102 and potentially hypersonic weapons derived from the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal.
Its mission profile includes strategic deterrence, stand-off bombing, and global strike capabilities. The bomber is intended to serve as the air-based leg of Russia’s nuclear triad, with both strategic and tactical roles.
PAK DA bomber artist rendition.
If successfully developed and deployed, the PAK DA could significantly enhance Russia’s ability to threaten NATO and U.S. assets from within its own airspace.
Development Progress
The H-20 was first revealed in 2016, with development confirmed in 2018. As of now, it is believed that test flights may have occurred, although no official confirmation has been provided. The bomber is expected to enter operational service in the 2030s, although no further information have been given on the status of the aircraft.
The PAK DA’s development began in the early 2000s and was officially approved in 2009. Prototype testing is expected to begin around 2026, but full deployment is likely delayed until 2030 or later. The program faces significant hurdles, including budget constraints, international sanctions, and technological limitations.
These challenges raise doubts about Russia’s ability to produce the bomber in meaningful numbers and integrate it effectively into its strategic forces.
So which bomber is better? Unfortunately, due to the lack of concrete information, this question is nearly impossible to answer. It turns out, it is nearly impossible to compare two bombers that don’t even have finalized designs yet.
PAK DA Bomber from Russia. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
The PAK DA reportedly has better engine performance and has a more versatile armament. On the other hand, China has more experience with advanced aeronautic engineering and has a better track record with stealth technology than the Russians do.
While the PAK DA is better on paper, neither bomber currently exists, and neither is likely to take flight anytime soon—China, Russia, and more than welcome to prove me wrong.
About the Author:
Isaac Seitz, a Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
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