roughly long and weighing 10 tons. Chinese media claimed it could be used for wiping out reinforced buildings and shelters as well as clearing obstacles to create an aircraft landing zone. In October 2022, Chinese media showcased the prospective concepts of H-6K carrying LJ-1 unmanned aerial system conducting drone swarm tactics. LJ-1 was originally designed as a target practice drone with a modular payload, which could be modified into a decoy or electronic warfare platform. Production variants Xian H-6 – (Conventional Bomber) Original, conventional bomber; Tupolev Tu-16 produced under license in China, first flew in 1959. A prototype conducted China’s first aerial nuclear weapon test at Lop Nor on 14 May 1965. Xian H-6A – (Nuclear Bomber) First Chinese nuclear bomber; developed under Mission 21-511 in parallel with original H-6; modifications include heat-insulated and air-conditioned bomb bay, improved bomb release system, and monitoring equipment for nuclear testing; conducted PRC's first nuclear test on 14 May 1965. Xian H-6B – (Reconnaissance Aircraft) Developed in parallel with H-6A and outfitted with specialized equipment. Xian H-6C – (Conventional Bomber) Improved countermeasure suite; initially designated 'H-6III'. Xian H-6D – (Maritime-Strike Bomber) Anti-ship missile carrier introduced in early 1980s, armed with two air-launched C-601 (Silkworm) missiles, one mounted under each wing; fitted with larger radome under the nose and various improved systems. Later upgraded to either two C-301 supersonic anti-ship missiles, or four C-101 supersonic anti-ship missiles. An upgraded version, capable of carrying four YJ-8 (C-801) anti-ship missiles is currently under development. Initially designated H-6IV. Xian H-6E – (Nuclear Bomber) Improved countermeasures suite, entered service in 1980s. Xian H-6F – (Conventional Bomber) New designation for upgraded H-6A and H-6C. Many aircraft upgraded in the 1990s with new inertial navigation systems, doppler navigation radar and GPS receiver. Xian H-6G – (EW & C3 Aircraft) Provides targeting data to ground-launched cruise missiles, built in the 1990s. No internal bomb bay or defensive armament. Electronic-warfare aircraft with underwing electronic countermeasures pods. Xian H-6H – (Cruise Missile Carrier) Land-attack cruise missile carrier armed with two missiles, built in the 1990s. No internal bomb bay or defensive armament. Xian H-6K – (Conventional Bomber) Latest H-6 variant, re-engined with D-30KP turbofan engines of 12,000 kg thrust replacing the original Chinese turbojets. Other modifications include larger air intakes, re-designed flight deck with smaller/fewer transparencies and large dielectric nose radome. Xian H-6J – (Maritime-Strike Bomber) Modified H-6K for use by the People’s Liberation