The Russian Tu-160 "White Swan" strategic bomber is capable of delivering 45 tons of payload in supersonic mode. This was reported by military expert Alexei Leonkov.
According to him, when comparing the aircraft with foreign analogues, it is in many ways superior to its closest competitors, such as the American B-1B and B-52. The maximum combat load of the Tu-160 is 45 tons.
The Tu-160 can fly at speeds of over Mach 2.2. At the same time, it can fly at this speed with a full load. Supersonic mode is maintained for 45 minutes.
The range of the Tu-160 far exceeds the capabilities of the American B1-B, the aviation expert emphasized.
Later, the Tu-160M appeared. The modernization consisted of the fact that the aircraft received modern onboard, sighting and navigation systems and electronic warfare systems to protect against weapons of the "surface-to-air" and "air-to-air" type.
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.
Earlier www1.ru reported that Russia will have a satellite group for military intelligence and communications.
