Is the first flight of ‘Xian H-20’ imminent?

According to numerous Chinese media reports, there are increasing indications that the first flight of the previously secret “Xian H-20” stealth bomber is imminent. The head of the flight test division of China’s state-owned aviation company Avic recently announced “a flight test for an important type of aircraft that has crucial strategic and historic significance”. As reported by the state-run Global News newspaper, Heping urged all employees involved in the test program to “fully realize the extreme importance of completing this mission“. However, it remained unclear at the time of the announcement which aircraft was specifically involved. Given the lofty words, the media is now speculating that the test flight has to be the “Xian H-20” stealth bomber.