The KD-21 is a serious strategic weapon that has been appearing underneath the H-6K bombers. Chinese commanders would not mind if a UCAV can fire a strategic weapon at half the operational cost and risk compared to a bomber.
A photo, emerged online, shows a Chinese KD-21 (2PZD-21) ALBM (Air-Launched Ballistic Missile) in front of a CH-series UCAV, amid other air-to-ground munitions and massive sensor pods on its hardpoints. The KD-21 is a serious strategic weapon that has been appearing underneath the H-6K bombers for two years now, and in June 2024 leading Chinese military aviation researcher Andreas Rupprecht shared a picture showing the aircraft carrying what looked like four of the munitions. In May, the H-6K was also captured on video while dropping the weapon.
Rupprecht, who also shared the current CH-series UCAV and KD-21 picture on Sep. 27, 2024, was however not sure about the make of the drone in the latest picture – whether it was the CH-9 or a variant of the CH-5. Both drones are developed by CASC (China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation). The CH-9 that was first unveiled in April 2024 at the IQDEX in Iraq as a small-scale model was shown with a pusher engine with a five blades propeller.
The same configuration is also seen in the larger unit in the latest photograph. Other munitions seen there include glide bombs, guided drop bombs and what could be equivalents of the AGM-114 Hellfire. The CH-5 Rainbow UCAV meanwhile is roughly in the same class of the CH-9 and is expected to compete with the U.S.-made MQ-9 Reaper and the Israeli Heron TP, according to the CSIS (Center for Strategic and International Studies). Its maritime version, with a three-bladed propeller and a large bulbous underbelly sensor, flew for the first time in Jul. 2020, according to Global Times.
Could this be the CH-9 (?) or is it a CH-5 variant?
Also noteworthy is the KD-21 (2PZD-21) ALBM.
At least it looks like the larger “green” UCAV we’ve seen some time ago.
(Image via @琴石2022 from Weibo) pic.twitter.com/LNF1SRyis7
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) September 27, 2024
The smaller model from IQDEX 2024 is also shown having an Electro-Optical turret under the chin, which however is missing in the larger model displayed with the munitions and the KD-21. The most distinguishable features are the four large rectangular pods on the two wings and the massive external bulbous array on the underbelly. Another thread on the topic claims this is a SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar), while the pods meanwhile could be EW/ELINT (Electronic Warfare/Electronic Intelligence) or even sonar arrays meant for ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) in maritime surveillance roles.
Will the CH-5/9 fire the KD-21?
It is important to examine the possible circumstances around the photograph. For one, does the KD-21 being only displayed before the CH-9 and not actually carried by it make any difference? Such images are in contexts of the drone carrying the weapon while taxing, or in flight. In-flight carriage, either during tests or exercises, is clear evidence of the launch platform and the weapon being considered for operational combat use.
It must also be noted that, even without the UCAV-KD21 combination, China still retains credible and diverse capability before U.S. and Allied land and maritime targets. The CH9/CH5-KD21 combination would only be an added advantage,the absence of which does not change PLA commanders’ operational and tactical calculus at all.
The fact that both the systems are real and have been photographed before says a lot. In the same post, Rupprecht also shared another satellite image showing four UAVs at an unidentified Chinese base, of which two are also colored green and appear to have a similar configuration as with the current one shown with the KD-21.
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Secondly, China has long been flying heavy strike UCAVs like the TB-001 Twin-Tailed Scorpion with a significant loadout of air-to-ground guided missiles and bombs, while also teasing Taiwanese and Japanese airspaces. TB-001-type UCAVs have the same tactical goal of hitting diverse land targets as attritable and long-endurance HALE/MALE reconnaissance-strike drones, eliminating the constraints imposed by human endurance and casualties.
This attritability through unmanned systems is also built into its AEW&C aircraft and high-altitude fast-flying reconnaissance drones like Divine Eagle and WZ-7 Soaring Dragon. The CH-9 and KD-21 combination is only consistent with this trend of Chinese military drone programs. Thus, there is little reason to believe that PLA commanders might not want to field this capability, at least in the distant future, as U.S. and Allied capabilities grow. China would not mind if a UCAV can fire a strategic weapon at half the operational cost and risk.
4/8
The UCAVs were armed (not sure if live or dead munitions for training), but a wide and different array of munitions could be seen.
Although they were limited in number, a TB-001 can carry up to 16 munitions each…
This means 48 different munitions with only these 3 UCAVs pic.twitter.com/ZIx6e5Khpf
— Jesus Roman (@jesusfroman) June 27, 2023
As for the KD-21 displayed in the picture, it is not known if it is a live, training/inert or a dummy round. The one ahead of the CH-9 has a red-colored tape. An earlier picture of the H-6K with the KD-21 from Nov. 2022 had a yellow tape along a part of its length. Generally, going by standard international military practices, blue tapes represent inert/training munitions, although it is unclear if China follows the same standard.
Military utility
As The Aviationist had reported about the KD-21/2PZD-21 loadout on the H-6K, Chinese commanders would prefer to release the KD-21s in a salvo during opportune moments as part of a swift disabling strike in a highly synchronized maneuvers, meant to locate, surveil, electronically jam and deceive Allied targets. Its high-speed, which Global Times claims is hypersonic, has powerful endgame characteristics when launched from high altitudes. This is seen from its sharp nose cone and aerodynamic design that aids airflow.
H-6K firing a 2PZD-21 ALBM and other munitions 👀 pic.twitter.com/9di3Ymvnvo
— Húrin (@Hurin92) May 1, 2024
The state publication also calls the weapon the YJ-21. It can be safely assumed that the KD-21 could be used for land-strike roles too. A CH-series drone with the KD-21 primarily offers enhanced endurance and airborne time, sparing the crew and the multi-million dollar bomber from high-risk sectors, possibly in large formations firing dozens of the munitions. As is with drones, any attempt to shoot down unmanned aircraft from the surface also gives away their position too.
