Tu-142 long-range anti-submarine aircraft provided targeting for the Zircon hypersonic missile

As part of the Zapad-2025 exercises, the Northern Fleet launched a hypersonic weapon strike against a mock enemy in the Barents Sea, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported.

It is also noted that the target was destroyed by a direct hit.

After detecting the target and classifying it, the Tu-142 transmitted the coordinates of the target position in encrypted form to the command post of the group. The data received was immediately processed, and based on the analysis of various factors, including the priority of the target, the availability of strike assets, and the current operational situation, a decision was made to launch an attack.

Prior to the missile firing, the area was closed to civilian navigation and aviation flights.

Technical characteristics of the Tu-142 aircraft:

• Dimensions: wingspan - 50.2 m, length - 51.55 m, height - 14.7 m, wing area - 289.9 m².
• Weight: empty aircraft - 93,891 kg, maximum take-off - 185 tons, maximum flight (after refueling in the air) - 187 tons.
• Engine: turboprop, with coaxial propellers of opposite rotation AV-60K.
• Flight characteristics: maximum speed at altitude - 855 km/h, cruising speed - 720 km/h, practical ceiling - 13,500 m, combat radius - 5,200 km.
• Armament: 2 x 23 mm cannons (GSh-23), anti-ship missiles, anti-submarine torpedoes, radio-hydroacoustic buoys, depth charges.

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