In strategic aviation, range is not a single number but a flight mode. Therefore, it is more accurate to compare practical range with a typical combat load without aerial refueling, rather than advertised ferry performance.
"Pervyy Tekhnicheskiy" compiled a ranking of combat aircraft without considering refueling and found out who the leader is.
5. B-1B Lancer (USA)
The B-1B Lancer demonstrates a range of up to 9,000 km. The aircraft was designed as a supersonic air defense penetrator, but its high mass and fuel consumption limited its autonomy.
In its modern role, it is primarily a versatile strike carrier, not a range record-holder.
4. Tu-95MS (Russia)
The Tu-95MS has a practical range of up to 10,000 km, and in ferry modes, up to 15,000 km. It is one of the most fuel-efficient strategic bombers in the world due to its turboprop design.
In terms of autonomy, the "Bear" confidently competes with jet aircraft and is often underestimated due to the age of its design.
3. B-2 Spirit (USA)
The B-2 Spirit has a range of up to 11,000 km. Its "flying wing" aerodynamic design provides high fuel efficiency and allows for long, stealthy missions.
Its main task is to penetrate deep into protected territory with minimal detectability.
2. B-52H Stratofortress (USA)
The B-52H demonstrates a range of 12,000–14,000 km in combat configuration. Its key advantage is its enormous internal fuel capacity and high efficiency at subsonic profiles.
This platform is designed not for speed, but for long-duration patrolling and maximum weapon load.
1. Tu-160 (Russia)
The Tu-160 has a practical range of up to 12,000–14,000 km. Its main feature is the combination of intercontinental range and supersonic speed of up to 2000+ km/h.
Important: at supersonic speeds, the "White Swan" consumes fuel many times faster, so the main part of the route is flown at subsonic speeds, and acceleration is used only to overcome air defense zones.
The main conclusion is simple: strategic bombers have reached a physical ceiling of range around 10–14 thousand km, and further competition is not about kilometers, but about the way they are covered – quickly, stealthily, or as economically as possible.