Russia has developed a new version of the Tu-95 strategic bomber — the Tu-95MSM. It received the most powerful production turboprop engine NK-12MPM and new propellers. Thus, engineers increased the payload and flight range of the aircraft. This is according to Military Watch Magazine.
The original Tu-95 bomber first flew during the Korean War in 1952. These aircraft were built between 1982 and 1993 as cruise missile carriers.
The modernization of the Tu-95 to the Tu-95MSM version began in 2009. The updated bomber can carry the Kh-101/2 cruise missile.
The Tu-95MSM will play an important role for the Russian bomber fleet until 2030. Then it will be replaced by the Tu-160M.
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