The production of modernized Tu-160M bombers continues in Russia. The Kazan Aviation Plant named after S.P. Gorbunov is engaged in the production of combat aircraft.
The Tu-160M is the largest and most powerful supersonic aircraft with variable-sweep wings in the history of military aviation. The Russian military industry, in the face of sanctions, has managed to cope with the most difficult task of resuming the production of combat vehicles.
Strategic platform
The Tu-160 strategic missile carrier-bomber is designed to destroy the most important targets in remote areas of combat operations or in the deep rear of a potential enemy, including with the use of nuclear weapons.
The development of the aircraft began in 1975 at the Tupolev Design Bureau in response to the appearance of the American intercontinental supersonic aircraft with variable sweep wing Rockwell B-1 Lancer. The first flight of the Tu-160 took place in 1981, and these machines began to enter service in 1987.
In the Soviet Union, the bomber was named "White Swan" (NATO classification - Blackjack).
In May 2015, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the resumption of production of the Tu-160 in a modernized version. In 2018, PJSC Tupolev and the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation signed a contract for the supply of ten aircraft to the troops.
Heavenly giant
One of the main advantages of the updated aircraft is the improved NK-32 series 2 engines. According to data from open sources, the power plants increased the flight range of the Tu-160M by more than 1,000 km.
The Tu-160M is capable of accelerating to a speed impressive for such a giant - up to 2000 km/h. The aircraft is able to easily overcome the enemy's air defense zone and break away from interceptors.
The Tu-160M is equipped with advanced protection systems against interference and air defense, airborne electronic weapons developed using advanced technologies in the field of instrumentation.
The combat load of the aircraft is 40-45 tons, the launchers allow carrying up to 12 air-launched cruise missiles, including with a nuclear warhead.
Earlier www1.ru reported that MiG-31 fighters used hypersonic "Kinzhal" for the second time in three days.
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