The Soviet M-4 "Bison" strategic bomber, which strengthened the USSR's position in the arms race with the United States, frightened the American military leadership. This was reported in a material by Thе National Interest (TNI).
Observer Christian Orr noted that just a few years after the release of the Tu-4, the USSR had another M-4 bomber.
It really frightened the political and military establishment of the United States. The M-4 was seen as a significant leap forward in Soviet technology.
The M-4 is the first production model of the Soviet subsonic jet strategic bomber family. The first flight took place in 1953, and two years later it entered service.
The aircraft received four turbojet engines that accelerated it to 947 km/h and could carry various missiles and bombs. The bombers did not participate in combat operations, and later they were converted into M-4-II tanker aircraft, which were in service until 1993.
Flight and tactical data of the M-4 bomber:
- Crew — 8 people
- Wingspan — 50.53 m
- Length — 47.66 m
- Height — 14.1 m
- Normal take-off weight — 184000 kg
- Maximum take-off weight — 210000 kg
- Maximum speed — 930 km/h
- Range — 8100 km
- Combat radius of action near the ground — 5600 km
- Practical ceiling — 13700 km
- Combat load — 18000 kg
Earlier, www1.ru reported that UAZ "Golovastik" was armed with S-8 aviation missiles from Su-25 attack aircraft and MiG-29 fighters.
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