China’s military has released new footage showing an H-6N bomber carrying a large missile beneath its fuselage while being escorted by two J-20 stealth fighters. Military experts say the weapon could be an air-launched ballistic missile designed for anti-ship or ground-strike missions, but its exact identity has not been officially confirmed.
The footage appeared in China Central Television (CCTV)’s documentary Zhisheng (Victory), which focuses on joint military operations. According to the documentary, the exercise simulated attacks on a large enemy surface fleet. The Global Times reported that the scenario was intended to train forces for strikes against aircraft carriers.
The documentary highlights how different branches of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) work together during military operations. It shows warships, aircraft, drones, and missile units sharing information and supporting each other. This approach is designed to improve coordination during complex missions.
READ ALSO: https://modernmechanics24.com/post/china-antarctic-station-green-energy/
One of the most notable moments is the H-6N bomber carrying a single large missile under its fuselage instead of the smaller wing-mounted missiles often seen in previous images. The bomber is escorted by two J-20 stealth fighters, while other scenes show a Type 052D destroyer launching a YJ-20 missile and DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missiles being prepared.
According to Wang Yanan, Editor-in-Chief of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, the missile appears to be a high-value air-launched ballistic missile capable of anti-ship or ground-strike missions. Some media outlets suggested it could be the JL-1 long-range missile that was shown during China’s 2025 Victory Day parade. However, Wang said the documentary footage is too distant to confirm the missile’s exact model.
The documentary also shows that the H-6N would likely operate with strong protection. Because the bomber is not a stealth aircraft, the J-20 fighters could help defend it against long-range threats while it approaches its launch area. Wang added that ships and other aircraft would also likely support such missions.
WATCH ALSO: https://modernmechanics24.com/post/humanoid-robot-take-over-warehouse-jobs/
The footage offers a look at how China is presenting its joint military capabilities, but it does not provide detailed technical information about the missile. The main limitation is that the weapon has not been officially identified, and outside experts cannot verify its exact capabilities from the available video alone.
The documentary suggests that China is placing greater focus on combining air, sea, and missile forces into a single operational system. If the missile is confirmed to be a new air-launched ballistic weapon, it could become an important part of the PLA’s future long-range strike capability.
According to CCTV and Global Times, the documentary is intended to demonstrate the importance of joint operations rather than introduce a new weapon system.
