China Central Television (CCTV) aired a story featuring a strategic jet
What is known
Judging by the frames from the video, the Chinese military decideduse drones instead of cruise missiles. A strategic bomber launched four drones, which combined into a diamond shape and flew towards the target.
H-6K drops multiple drones pic.twitter.com/EaQ9Hh2Cx8
— 彩云香江 (@louischeung_hk) October 12, 2022
Xian H-6K used dronesdevices LJ-1. They were installed under the wings in place of cruise missiles. Formally, the LJ-1 is considered an aerial target, but it can carry up to 40 kg of payload and be used to strike enemy ground targets.
What was the purpose of the tests, of course,the Chinese military does not report. However, The Drive suggests that drones could be used to oversaturate Taiwan's air defense system in the event of a military conflict with the island nation.