The Soviet intercontinental supersonic strategic bomber-missile carrier Tu-160 has a variable-sweep wing. This geometry of the wing surface gives the aircraft a great advantage, writes Bulgarian Military.
The Tu-160 airframe is 30% titanium, and the wing can be adjusted to angles from 20° to 65°. This allows optimizing the aircraft's aerodynamics in various flight modes.
For example, at low speed, the wings are extended to increase lift for takeoff and long-range flights. At high speed, the wings are swept back to reduce drag. Thus, the Tu-160 evades missiles and fighters.
The variable-sweep wing design is not just a technical curiosity, but an important solution for performing strategic bombing missions.
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