and JH-7A tactical bombers from the 5th
Ground Attack Division/15th Air Brigade
at Weifang. A later arrival included PLAAF
J-10 ghters. Deployment of the PLAAF
H-6Ks and Y-9s marked the rst time both
types had been overseas to participate in
an exercise.
In addition, there were Belarusian
Mi-8MTV-5 and Mi-24V helicopters, plus
Su-25 attack aircraft and Yak-130 lead-in
ghter trainers, while a Kazakh contingent
included Su-30SM ghters, and Mi-35 and
Mi-171 helicopters.
The participation by the H-6Ks was
signi cant. They had own non-stop from
their home base to Dyagilevo, which is
home to the Tu-22M3s and Tu-95MS of the
43rd Guards Centre of Combat Application
and Crew Training.
The H-6K dedicated cruise missile carrier
was unveiled in mid-December 2006 andfeatures a newly designed non-glazed
nose with a huge radar and slightly wider
air intakes. The new intakes are required
since the H-6K is powered by two Russian
D-30KP-2 turbofan engines. The cockpit
has also been redesigned, featuring six
color MFDs and ejection seats for the
three-man crew. Other visible changes
include a chin-mounted forward-
looking infra-red/TV turret, a satellite
communications antenna on the top of
the rear fuselage and a datalink antenna
on the bottom, and a redesigned tail cone
housing di erent sensors including MAWS
and RWR, as well as additional defensive
electronics and a new auxiliary power
unit. However, the most important change
is a new weapons system for a reported
maximum of six KD-20 — formerly often
referred to as CJ-10K — long-range
cruise missiles.Clockwise from
above left: A pair
of PLAAF J-10s
taxies out for a
mission.
One the PLAAF
JH-7As from
Weifang carries a
dumb bomb and a
rocket pod.
‘Aviadarts’
missions are
fl own on the
Dubrovichi range.
It is thought
that the H-6Ks
likely operated
alongside
the resident
Tu-22M3s.
Belarus was
thought to
have retired its
Mi-24V ‘Hinds’,
but this example
was present at
‘Aviadarts’.
Three of
Kazakhstan’s
new Su-30SMs
on the fl ight line
at Dyagilevo, with
PLAAF Y-9s in the
background.
A Su-25K
‘Frogfoot’ from
Belarus arrives for
‘Aviadarts’.
A Tu-22M3 pours
on the power.This Mi-8MTV-5 carries an
impressive load of 80mm
rockets and 23mm gun pods.PHOTO REPORT // ‘AVIADARTS INTERNATIONAL 2018’
92 October 2018 //^ http://www.combataircraft.net