Unique Footage Emerges of Tu-160 "White Swan" Pilot Training — The Largest Supersonic Military Aircraft in History

The Russian Ministry of Defense has published footage of combat training for long-range aviation pilots and navigators on the Tu-160 aircraft simulator.

During the training, the flight crew successfully completed the task, despite difficult weather conditions, poor visibility, and malfunctions in the onboard equipment, such as engine failure and loss of radio communication.

Then, thorough discussions of aviation accidents and an in-depth study of the requirements outlined in the guiding documents were conducted with the pilots and navigators.

Also, during the flight on simulators, the pilots practiced the skills of tactically defeating command posts, military equipment, and fire suppression of the advancing forces of a conditional enemy.

The Tu-160 is a Russian supersonic strategic bomber-missile carrier with variable-geometry wings. Along with the Tu-95MS, the aircraft forms the basis of the modern long-range aviation fleet of the Russian Aerospace Forces.

The "White Swan" is designed to operate with nuclear and conventional weapons against targets in remote areas. The Tu-160 is the largest supersonic aircraft in the history of military aviation.

Tu-160 Flight and Technical Characteristics:

• Wingspan — 55.7 m

• Aircraft length — 54.1 m

• Height — 13.1 m

• Crew — four people

• Engines — TRDDF NK‑32

• Maximum takeoff weight — 275,000 kg

• Maximum combat load — 40,000 kg

• Maximum speed — 2000 km/h

• Practical flight ceiling — 16,000 m

• Practical flight range with normal load — 13,200 km

Earlier, www1.ru reported that unique footage of the process of hardening screws for the aircraft, which takes up to 30 hours, appeared online .

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