https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupolev_Tu-160
---> see also
https://www.businessinsider.com/two-russian-tu-160-nuclear-capable-strategic-bombers-flew-near-alaska-2018-8
The Tupolev Tu-160 (Russian: ??????? ??-160 ????? ??????, translit. Belyy Lebed,
lit. 'White Swan'; NATO reporting name: Blackjack) is a supersonic,
variable-sweep wing heavy strategic bomber designed by the Tupolev Design Bureau
in the Soviet Union.
Entering service in 1987, the Tu-160 was the last strategic bomber designed for
the Soviet Union. As of 2016, the Russian Air Force, Long Range Aviation branch
has at least 16 aircraft in service. The Tu-160 active fleet has been undergoing
upgrades to electronics systems since the early 2000s. The Tu-160M modernisation
programme has begun with the first updated aircraft delivered in December 2014.
The Tu-160 is a variable-geometry wing aircraft. The aircraft employs a
fly-by-wire control system with a blended wing profile, and full-span slats are
used on the leading edges, with double-slotted flaps on the trailing edges. The
Tu-160 has a crew of four (pilot, co-pilot, bombardier, and defensive systems
operator) in K-36LM ejection seats.
The Tu-160 is powered by four Kuznetsov NK-32 afterburning turbofan engines, the
most powerful ever fitted to a combat aircraft. Unlike the American B-1B Lancer,
which reduced the original Mach 2+ requirement for the B-1A to achieve a smaller
radar cross-section, the Tu-160 retains variable intake ramps, and is capable of
reaching Mach 2.05 speed at altitude. The Tu-160 is equipped with a
probe-and-drogue in-flight refueling system for extended-range missions,
although it is rarely used. The Tu-160's internal fuel capacity of 130 tons
gives the aircraft a roughly 15-hour flight endurance at a cruise speed of
around 850 km/h (530 mph), Mach 0.77, at 9,100 m (30,000 ft). In February 2008,
Tu-160 bombers and Il-78 refueling tankers practiced air refueling during air
combat exercise, as well as MiG-31, A-50 and other Russian combat aircraft.
Weapons are carried in two internal bays, each capable of holding 20,000 kg
(44,000 lb) of free-fall weapons or a rotary launcher for nuclear missiles;
additional missiles may also be carried externally. The aircraft's total weapons
load capacity is 40,000 kg (88,000 lb). No defensive weapons are provided; the
Tu-160 is the first post-World War II Soviet bomber to lack such defenses.
While similar in appearance to the American B-1 Lancer, the Tu-160 is a
different class of combat aircraft; its primary role being a standoff missile
platform (strategic missile carrier). The Tu-160 is also larger and faster than
the B-1B and has a slightly greater combat range, though the B-1B has a larger
combined payload. Another significant difference is that the colour scheme on
the B-1B Lancer is usually subdued dark gray to reduce visibility; the Tu-160 is
painted with anti-flash white, giving it the nickname among Russian airmen
"White Swan".
In January 2018, Vladimir Putin, while visiting the Kazan Aviation Plant,
floated an idea of creating a civilian passenger version of Tu-160. Experts
quoted by the news media were skeptical about the commercial and technological
feasibility of such civilian conversion.
Role
Supersonic strategic heavy bomber
National origin
Soviet Union
Design group
Tupolev
Built by
Kazan Aircraft Production Association
First flight
18 December 1981
Introduction
April 1987
Status
In service
Primary user
Russian Aerospace Forces
Produced
Number built
36 (9 prototypes and 27 serial aircraft)
On 10 September 2008, two Russian Tu-160 landed in Venezuela as part of military
manoeuvres, announcing an unprecedented deployment to Russia's ally at a time of
increasingly tense relations between Russia and the United States. The Russian
Ministry of Defence said Vasily Senko and Aleksandr Molodchiy were on a training
mission. It said in a statement carried by Russian news agencies, that the
aircraft would conduct training flights over neutral waters before returning to
Russia. Its spokesman added that the aircraft were escorted by NATO fighters as
they flew across the Atlantic Ocean.
On 12 October 2008, Tu-160 bombers were involved in the largest Russian
strategic bomber exercise since 1984. A total of 12 bombers including Tu-160 and
Tu-95 aircraft conducted a series of launches of their cruise missiles. Some
bombers launched a full complement of their missiles. It was the first time that
a Tu-160 had ever fired a full complement of missiles.
On 10 June 2010, two Tu-160 bombers carried out a record-breaking 23-hour patrol
with a planned flight range of 18,000 km (9,700 nmi). The bombers flew along the
Russian borders and over neutral waters in the Arctic and Pacific Oceans.
On 17 November 2015, Russia started using Tu-160, Tu-95, and Tu-22M strategic
long-range bombers against targets in Syria, along with Kalibr cruise missiles
fired from the Mediterranean. This marked the combat debut of the Tu-160 and
Tu-95.
Specifications (Tu-160)
General characteristics
Crew: 4 (pilot, co-pilot, bombardier, defensive systems officer)
Length: 54.10 m (177 ft 5 in)
Wingspan:
Height: 13.10 m (43 ft 0 in)
Wing area:
Swept: 360 square metres (3,900 sq ft))
Empty weight: 110,000 kg (242,505 lb; operating empty weight)
Loaded weight: 267,600 kg (589,950 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 275,000 kg (606,260 lb)
Thrust with afterburner: 245 kN (55,115 lbf) each
Performance
Maximum speed: Mach 2.05 (2,220 km/h, 1,200 knots, 1,380 mph) at 12,200 m
(40,000 ft)
Cruise speed: Mach 0.9 (960 km/h, 518 knots, 596 mph)
Range: 12,300 km (7,643 mi) practical range without in-flight refuelling, Mach
Combat radius: 7,300 km (3,994 nmi, 4,536 mi,) 2,000 km (1,080 nmi, 1,240 mi) at
Mach 1.5
Service ceiling: 16,000 m (51,181 ft)
Rate of climb: 70 m/s (13,860 ft/min)
Thrust/weight: 0.37
Armament
Two internal bays for 40,000 kg (88,185 lb) of ordnance including Two internal
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