China will showcase a novel model of bomber aircraft in the military parade in Beijing on Sept. 3, according to military sources.[Special coverage]
The aircraft, independently developed for long-distance precision strikes, was loosely based on a previous bomber model, but 90 percent has been refitted, according to Bao Lianjing, leading pilot of the parade debut formation.
"Besides the tiller and the rudder, everything else has been upgraded," Bao said.
The new aircraft requires only half the crew needed for the previous one, which means the pilots must multitask between controlling the craft, communication, air situation assessment and weapon control.
Bao revealed that multiple bombers will fly in a tight formation over Tian'anmen Square on Sept. 3, a method usually used for concealing combat plans and breaking enemy defense.
"Our pilots have flown in even tighter formations. From the ground, it looked like the wings of neighboring planes overlapped," Bao said.
Eleven foot formations, 27 armament formations, ten aircraft formations and two veteran teams will be included in the parade, which commemorates the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and World War II.
