Shalung Aeroworks H-990
H-990 "Vulture" | |
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H-990 Vulture in airshow livery | |
Role | supersonic strategic heavy bomber |
National origin | Jin Yi |
Manufacturer | Shalung Aeroworks |
First flight | 19 August, 1980 |
Introduction | 9 September, 1985 |
Status | In Service |
Primary user | Eternal Air Force |
Produced | 1984 - 2001 |
Number built | 165 |
Developed from | Shalung Aeroworks H-10 |
The Shalung Aeroworks H-990 is a supersonic, variable-sweep wing nuclear-capable heavy strategic bomber and airborne missile platform designed by the Shalung Aeroworks in the 1980s. Entering service in 1985, the H-990 was designed to serve as a long term solution for supplementing and eventually replacing the Shalung Aeroworks H-6 and was built to serve as a conventional and nuclear-capable strike aircraft. Since the early 2000s, the active fleet has been subject to several upgrades, largely focusing on various electronics systems and engines. The H-990S modernization program of existing models began in 2015 with an order for updating roughly 60 units with new avionics and improved engine upgrades. Though originally intended to fully replace the H-6, the production and operational costs of the bomber has resulted in a portion of the H-6 fleet undergoing modernization rather than being retired.