In the 60s of the last century, the Soviet Union focused on development missile weapons, and strategic aviation, represented Tu-95 and M-4 with subsonic speeds, was considered unable to overcome the air defense of NATO countries.
The US decision to create a new strategic supersonic bomber B-1 pushed the USSR leadership to take adequate response measures. The Council of Ministers decided to begin preparing a project for a modern intercontinental strategic supersonic aircraft, which later received the designation TU-160, and among the pilots it had the affectionate name “White Swan”.
History of the project to create the Tu 160 aircraft
The creation of a project for a new bomber was entrusted to the Sukhoi Design Bureau and the Myasishchev Design Bureau. By the beginning of the 70s, projects were submitted for consideration. Both projects turned out to be similar - it is a supersonic vehicle with four engines and a wing with variable sweep, but the designs were still different.
In 1969, the Tupolev Design Bureau with experience in creating supersonic aircraft joined the project. passenger plane Tu-144. Having considered the projects of the Sukhoi and Myasishchev Design Bureaus and the out-of-competition project of the Tupolev Design Bureau, it was decided to give work on the project to the Tupolev team, as they have extensive experience in creating supersonic machines.
In addition to the Tupolev Design Bureau, enterprises of the military-industrial complex, the Air Force Research Institute, and TsAGI were involved; in total, since 1972, more than 800 organizations have participated.
The first prototype (designation 70-01) took off from the ground in December 1981 with a crew led by test pilot B. Veremey from the Ramenskoye airfield. The second sample was intended for static tests. The first four samples were manufactured at the Opyt enterprise.
Tu 160 diagram
Serial aircraft were manufactured at Kazansky aircraft factory. In 1984, on October 10, the series was given a ticket to the sky.
Description of the Tu 160 aircraft
The design of the vehicle is based on an integral aerodynamic layout with a low-mounted wing with a sweep that changes in flight. The sweep can be changed from 200 to 650.
The wing is equipped with rich mechanization - there are slats along the entire length on each console, and flaps at the rear. In front of the flaps, a flaperon and an interceptor were built into the console design.
The radio-transparent antenna radome hides the on-board radar for viewing the front sphere inside. In the space between the pilot's cabin and the surveillance locator blocks there is a Sopka radar, designed for low-altitude flights around the terrain.
The crew cabin is designed for four members - two pilots and two navigators, who sit side by side. The first navigator is responsible for aircraft navigation, the other for the use of weapons. The seats are equipped with a catapult.
Under the influx of the wing in front there are multi-mode air intakes that regulate the incoming air flow and supply it to the engines. The cross-section of the intake channels changes, from rectangular to round. The power plant consists of four NK-32 turbofan engines, two located on each side of the fuselage.
The fin of the Tu-160 is made of two sections, the fuselage body is rigidly connected to the lower part, and the upper trapezoidal section serves as the rudder. The rotation mechanism and the rotation stabilizer itself are attached to the fixed part of the keel.
The landing gear of the aircraft is made according to a three-legged design, the main landing gear on each leg has six wheels that retract into a niche in the center section between the air intakes and the weapons compartment. The nose landing gear is two-wheeled and, in the retracted position, is located between the weapons compartment and the cockpit.
The design of the aircraft allows 171 tons of fuel to be placed in 13 caisson tanks, which at cruising speed with a sweep of 350 makes it possible to cover a distance of 14 thousand km. In-flight refueling is also provided - the fuel receiver in the form of a retractable boom is located in the bow, in front of the cockpit.
Tu 160 in the air
To fulfill its purpose - to break through enemy air defenses and strike important strategic targets, it is equipped with the Baikal airborne defense complex. This complex includes stations for detecting threats from aviation and air defense systems, electronic warfare stations and automatic devices for shooting decoys and decoys.
At the bottom of the nose of the aircraft there is an OPB-15T optical-electronic sight for precise bombing and a television camera in the front lower sphere. Inertial navigation system, a celestial navigation system and satellite tracking system equipment allow for high-precision flights with the aircraft's location displayed on the navigator's indicators.
Tactical and technical data of the Tu 160 bomber
Tu 160 "White Swan"
Flight characteristics of Tu 160
- Maximum speed at an altitude of 12 thousand. m – 2200 km/h.
- The maximum speed at the ground is 1030 km/h.
- Cruising speed – 850-920 km/h.
- Rate of climb – 70 m/sec.
- Practical range without refueling is 14 thousand km.
- Ceiling – 15600 m.
- Combat radius - 7300 km.
- Flight duration is 14.5 hours.
Power plant of the Tu 160 aircraft
- Four NK-32 turbofan engines with cruising thrust of 137.2 kN.
afterburner - 245.7 kN.
Dimensions of the Tu 160 aircraft
- The length of the aircraft is 54.10 m.
- The height of the aircraft is 13.10 m.
- Wing span, sweep 200 – 55.7 m.
- Wing span, sweep 350 – 50.7 m.
- Wing span, sweep 650 - 35.6 m.
Weight of the Tu 160 aircraft
- Empty, equipped aircraft - 117 tons.
- Take-off maximum – 225 tons.
Armament of the Tu 160 aircraft
- On a drum-type installation - 6 Kh-55SM/101/102 anti-aircraft missile launchers.
- Kh-15 short-range missiles – 12 pcs.
Interesting information about the Tu 160 strategic bomber
Forty-four world records are registered on the account of " white swan».
Each board is named after an outstanding designer or famous pilot.
Tu 160 "Valentin Bliznyuk"
Only this strategic bomber can boast its own kitchen and bathroom; before it, military aircraft were not equipped with such amenities.
NATO called it “Dubinka”, and Russian pilots affectionately called it “White Swan”.
In the world, this is perhaps the largest aircraft with a variable sweep wing.
While on a visit to Russia, Frank Carpucci, the then US Secretary of Defense, inspected the pilot's cockpit and hit his head on an electrical panel. Since then, pilots have nicknamed it “Carpucci’s shield.”
Video: p launching cruise missiles at terrorist targets in Syria from a Tu 160
Immediately after the end of World War II, a radical redistribution of spheres of influence occurred in the world. In the 50s of the last century, two military blocs were formed: NATO and the Warsaw Pact countries, which in all subsequent years were in a state of constant confrontation. " Cold War", which unfolded at that time, could at any moment develop into an open conflict, which would certainly end in a nuclear war.
Decline of the industry
Of course, in such conditions an arms race could not help but begin, when none of the rivals could afford to fall behind. In the early 60s Soviet Union managed to take the lead in the field of strategic missile weapons, while the United States was clearly in the lead in the quantity and quality of aircraft. Military parity arose.
The arrival of Khrushchev further aggravated the situation. He was so keen on rocketry that he killed many promising ideas in the field of cannon artillery and strategic bombers. Khrushchev believed that the USSR did not really need them. As a result, by the 70s a situation developed where we only had old T-95s and some other vehicles. These aircraft, even hypothetically, could not overcome the developed air defense system of a potential enemy.
Why are strategic missile carriers needed?
Of course, the presence of a powerful nuclear arsenal in the missile version was a sufficient guarantee of peace, but it was impossible to launch a warning strike or simply “hint” to the enemy about the undesirability of subsequent actions with its help.
The situation was so serious that the country's leadership finally realized the need to develop a new strategic bomber. This is how the story of the famous TU-160 began, technical specifications which are described in this article.
Developers
Initially, all work was assigned to the Sukhoi Design Bureau and the Myasishchev Design Bureau. Why is the legendary Tupolev not on this short list? It's simple: the management of the enterprise was not happy with Khrushchev, who had already managed to ruin several promising projects. Accordingly, Nikita Sergeevich himself also did not treat the “willful” designer very well. In a word, Tupolev Design Bureau turned out to be “out of business.”
By the beginning of the 70s of the last century, all competitors presented their projects. Sukhoi put the M-4 on display. The car was impressive, amazing with its characteristics. The only drawback was the cost: after all, an all-titanium case cannot be made cheap no matter how hard you try. The Myasishchev Design Bureau presented its M-18. For unknown reasons, Tupolev’s bureau with “Project 70” got involved.
Competition Winner
As a result, they chose the Sukhoi option. Myasishchev’s project was somehow unsightly, and Tupolev’s design seemed like a slightly modified civilian aircraft. And how then did the characteristics appear whose characteristics still make a potential enemy tremble? This is where the fun begins.
Since the Sukhoi Design Bureau simply had no time to deal with a new project (the Su-27 was being created there), and the Myasishchev Design Bureau was removed for some reason (there are a lot of ambiguities here), the papers on the M-4 were handed over to Tupolev. But they also didn’t appreciate the titanium case and turned their attention to an outsider - the M-18 project. It was this that formed the basis for the design of the “White Swan”. By the way, the supersonic strategic missile-carrying bomber with a variable-sweep wing, according to NATO codification, has a completely different name - Blackjack.
Main technical characteristics
And yet, why is the TU-160 so famous? The technical characteristics of this aircraft are so amazing that even today the car does not look “antique” in the slightest degree. We have provided all the main data in the table, so you can see for yourself.
Characteristic name | Meaning |
Full wingspan (at two points), meters | |
Fuselage length, meters | |
Fuselage height, meters | |
Total load-bearing area of the wings, square meters | |
Empty vehicle weight, tons | |
Fuel weight (full filling), tons | |
Total take-off weight, tons | |
Engine model | TRDDF NK-32 |
Maximum thrust value (afterburning/non-afterburning) | 4x137.2 kN/ 4x245 kN |
Speed ceiling, km/h | |
Landing speed, km/h | |
Maximum altitude, kilometers | |
Maximum flight range, kilometers | |
Range of action, kilometers | |
Required runway length, meters | |
Maximum mass of missile and bomb weapons, tons |
It is not surprising that the very appearance of the characteristics described in the article has become very an unpleasant surprise for many Western powers. This aircraft (subject to refueling) will be able to “delight” almost any country with its appearance. By the way, some foreign publishing houses call the car D-160. Technical characteristics are good, but what exactly is the White Swan armed with? After all, it wasn’t created for pleasure walks?!
Information about missile and bomb weapons
The standard weight of weapons that can be placed in compartments inside the fuselage is 22,500 kilograms. In exceptional cases, it is allowed to increase these figures to 40 tons (this is the figure indicated in the table). The weapons include two launchers (launchers of the type that can contain continental and strategic missiles KR Kh-55 and Kh-55M. The other two drum launchers have 12 aeroballistic missiles Kh-15 (M = 5.0).
Thus, performance characteristics TU-160 aircraft suggest that after modernization, these machines will be in service with our army for many more decades.
It is allowed to load missiles with nuclear and non-nuclear warheads, KAB of all kinds (up to KAB-1500). Conventional and nuclear bombs, as well as mines, can be mounted in bomb bays various types. Important! A Burlak launch vehicle can be installed under the fuselage, which is used to launch light satellites into orbit. Thus, the TU-160 aircraft is a real “flying fortress”, armed in such a way that it can destroy a couple of medium-sized countries in one flight.
Power point
Now let’s remember what distances this car can cover. In this regard, the question immediately arises about the engines, thanks to which the characteristics of the TU-160 are known throughout the world. The strategic bomber has become a unique phenomenon in this regard, since its development power plant The design bureau that was responsible for the design of the aircraft was engaged in something completely different.
Initially, it was planned to use NK-25 as engines, almost completely identical to those that they wanted to install on the Tu-22MZ. Their traction performance characteristics were quite satisfactory, but something had to be done with fuel consumption, since one could not even dream of any intercontinental flights with such an “appetite.” How were the high technical characteristics of the TU-160 missile carrier achieved, thanks to which it is still considered one of the best combat vehicles in the world?
Where did the new engine come from?
Just at that time, the Design Bureau, headed by N.D. Kuznetsov, began designing a fundamentally new NK-32 (it was created on the basis of the already well-proven models HK-144, HK-144A). In contrast, the new power plant was supposed to consume significantly less fuel. In addition, it was planned that some of the important structural components would be taken from the NK-25 engine, which would reduce the cost of production.
Here it is necessary to especially note the fact that the plane itself is not cheap. Currently, the cost of one unit is estimated at 7.5 billion rubles. Accordingly, at the time when this promising car was just being created, it cost even more. That is why only 32 aircraft were built, and each of them had proper name, and not just the tail number.
Tupolev specialists immediately jumped at this opportunity, as it saved them from many problems that arose in many cases when trying to modify the engine from the old Tu-144. Thus, the situation was resolved to everyone’s benefit: the TU-160 aircraft received an excellent power plant, and the Kuznetsov Design Bureau received valuable experience. Tupolev himself received more time, which could have been spent on developing other important systems.
Fuselage base
Unlike many other structural parts, the White Swan wing came from the Tu-22M. Almost all parts are absolutely similar in design, the only difference is more powerful drives. Let's consider special cases that distinguish the TU-160 aircraft. The technical characteristics of the spars are unique in that they were assembled from seven monolithic panels at once, which were then hung on the nodes of the center section beam. Actually, the entire remaining fuselage was “built up” around this entire structure.
The central beam is made of pure titanium, since only this material can withstand the loads that a unique aircraft is subjected to during flight. By the way, for its production, the technology of electron beam welding in a neutral gas environment was specially developed, which is still an extremely complex and expensive process even without taking into account the titanium used.
Wings
Developing a wing with variable geometry for a vehicle of this size and weight turned out to be a very non-trivial task. The difficulties began with the fact that to create it it was necessary to radically change almost the entire production technology. State program, launched specifically for this purpose, was led by P.V. Dementyev.
In order for sufficient lift, a rather ingenious design was used. The main element was the so-called “combs”. This was the name for the parts of the flaps that could be deflected, if necessary, helping the aircraft acquire full sweep. In addition, in the event of a change in wing geometry, it was the “ridges” that formed smooth transitions between fuselage elements, reducing air resistance.
So the TU-160 aircraft, whose tactical and technical characteristics continue to amaze to this day, largely owes its speed to these very details.
Tail stabilizers
As for the tail stabilizers, in the final version the designers decided to use a design with a two-section fin. The base is the lower, stationary part, to which the stabilizer is attached directly. The peculiarity of this design is that its top is made completely motionless. Why was this done? And in order to somehow mark out electric hydraulic boosters, as well as drives for deflectable parts of the tail unit, in an extremely limited space.
This is how the Tu-160 (Blackjack) appeared. The description and technical characteristics give a pretty good idea of this unique machine, which was actually several years ahead of its time. Today these aircraft are being modernized according to special program: to be replaced most outdated electronic equipment, navigation systems and weapons. In addition, it increases
Supersonic Russian bomber White Swan (Tu-160)
The Tu-160 supersonic strategic bomber (according to NATO classification "Black Jack") was developed at the Tupolev design bureau together with the Kazan Aviation Production Association named after S.P. Gorbunov in Tatarstan from 1980 to 1992.
The first flight of the bomber was carried out in December 1981, and in April 1987 the Tu-160 aircraft was put into service. According to some reports, a total of 35 aircraft were built, but currently only 16 aircraft are in operation, the rest of the aircraft are out of service.
The aircraft has a combat radius of 6,000 km (without in-flight refueling), and a service ceiling of 16,000 m. The maximum flight speed is 2,000 km at high altitude and 1030 km at low altitude.
The Tu-160 received the name “White Swan” due to its maneuverability and special white coloring.
Basics combat purpose aircraft - delivery of nuclear and conventional bombs and missiles to deep continental theaters of military operations.
The aircraft is all-weather, with unlimited day-night capabilities and can be operated and solved combat missions in all geographical latitudes.
Tu-160 engines are installed in two rows under the wings. The air intakes have vertical valves - wings.
The aircraft's power plant system includes four turbofan engines - NK-32, each of which provides a maximum thrust of 25,000 kg.
The bomber has an in-flight refueling system. When not in use, the refueling probe is retracted into the forward fuselage in front of the cockpit.
The plane takes on board 150,000 kg of fuel.
The Tu-160 is similar in appearance to the American B-1B, but it was created after the creation of the B1-B.
Tu-160, today the most modern heavy bomber in Russia. This is a 267 ton aircraft that can carry up to 40 tons of bombs and missiles.
It was created primarily to deliver cruise missiles. Noting the success of the B-1 in Afghanistan and Iraq with smart bombs, changes were made to the Tu-160 so that it could also use these weapons, but without compromising the ability to use cruise missiles.
By 2020, the Russian Air Force will receive more than 10 modernized Tu-160s. According to official data, at least 16 examples of Tu-160 bombers are currently in operation in Russia.
There are plans to increase their number to 30.
The Tu-160 is a supersonic, variable-wing geometry, heavy bomber designed to strike strategic goals nuclear and conventional munitions in deep continental theaters of war. The upgraded version is called the Tu-160M, and has a new weapons system, improved electronics and avionics that doubles its combat effectiveness. The aircraft is equipped with a highly computerized avionics system, which includes an integrated targeting system, navigation and flight control system, electronic system countermeasures against radar detection.
Technical characteristics of Tu-160:
Crew: 4 people
Aircraft length: 54.1 m
Wingspan: 55.7/50.7/35.6 m
Height: 13.1 m
Wing area: 232 m²
Empty weight: 110,000 kg
Normal take-off weight: 267,600 kg
Maximum take-off weight: 275,000 kg
Engines: 4 × NK-32 turbofan engines
Maximum thrust: 4 × 18000 kgf
Afterburner thrust: 4 × 25000 kgf
Fuel mass, kg 148000
Flight characteristics of the Tu-160 strategic bomber:
Maximum speed at altitude: 2230 km/h (1.87M)
Cruising speed: 917 km/h (0.77 M)
Maximum flight range without refueling: 13950 km
Practical flight range without refueling: 12,300 km
Combat radius: 6000 km
Flight duration: 25 hours
Service ceiling: 15,000
Climbing rate: 4400 m/min
Run length 900 m
Run length 2000 m
at maximum take-off weight: 1185 kg/m²
at normal take-off weight: 1150 kg/m²
Thrust-to-weight ratio:
at maximum take-off weight: 0.37
at normal take-off weight: 0.36
Now in Russia, work is simultaneously underway to modernize all 16 Tu-160 strategic missile carriers in service and create an almost new machine - the Tu-160M2, the adviser to the first deputy general director of Radio-Electronic Technologies (KRET) explained to Gazeta.Ru.
“We, as a concern, are fully involved in both activities. As part of the resumption of production of the Tu-160 aircraft, four KRET enterprises presented their technological solutions - Elektroavtomatika named after P.A. Efimova”, “Tehpribor” and the “Signal” radio plant,” says Mikheev.
Tu-160 is a supersonic strategic missile-carrying bomber with a variable-sweep wing, developed at the Tupolev Design Bureau in 1970-1980. This machine remains the largest and heaviest supersonic combat aircraft in the world.
The take-off weight of the Tu-160 is 275 tons, maximum speed- 2500 km/h, bomb load - up to 45 tons.
The plane was named "Blackjack", among the pilots domestic aviation he is known as the "White Swan".
According to Mikheev, KRET enterprises are developing the “filling” of the new Tu-160M2: on-board computer systems and control equipment, as well as fuel metering, flow metering and weapon control systems.
The new Tu-160M2 will be significantly different from both the old Tu-160 and the vehicles that have already undergone modernization, Mikheev assures. “We can say this: in the old building there will be a fundamentally new aircraft. He will increase his combat capabilities several times. The range of weapons there will be significantly expanded. The accuracy characteristics have been greatly increased,” said the deputy general director KRET.
The supersonic strategic bomber will be equipped with a new locator, a new flight system with all the most modern navigation aids (including the most modern laser gyroscopes), as well as communication systems, sensors, fuel instruments and display systems.
The plane will have new system weapon controls - more accurate navigation. "For airplanes strategic aviation An exceptional characteristic is its precise location determination. Where is it located at a very specific moment in time, at what point will it be necessary to “unhook the product,” as the pilots say, explains Mikheev. “The distances to the targets will already be measured in many thousands of kilometers. Therefore, the more accurately the product is “unhooked”, the more accurately it will be delivered to the target. This is very important. A strategic aviation aircraft must send ammunition to its intended destination and with high accuracy from anywhere on the planet.”
Not only the White Swan’s combat capabilities will increase, but also the vehicle’s ability to protect itself. “We are creating, based on our most modern developments, a fundamentally new on-board self-defense complex or complex electronic warfare. Taking into account the groundwork that we have for the PAK FA (promising aviation complex frontline aviation or T-50, Russian fighter fifth generation. - “Gazeta.Ru”), other means of protection, we make sure that this aircraft is protected in all physical fields, both from the ground and from anti-aircraft missile systems, and from all types of promising aviation weapons. For certain reasons, we cannot name the specified characteristics of the Tu-160M2 self-defense complex. But, believe me, it will be able to provide almost 100 percent protection for this aircraft.”
All equipment for the Tu-160M2 must be ready next year, a KRET representative clarifies.
Then there will be the installation process. Then tests. “So far everything is going according to the schedule approved by the Ministry of Defense,” Mikheev emphasized.
KRET also faces the task of eliminating all the problems that have accumulated over a long time on the existing Tu-160, Tu-95 and Tu-22M3: replacing elements of on-board equipment whose service life has already expired.
First of all, the products of Ukrainian enterprises, which back in Soviet times participated in the cooperation of co-executors, are being replaced, Mikheev clarifies.
“And repair of this equipment is impossible, and the documentation is practically lost. We remove Ukrainian blocks and put in their place completely new ones of our own design. This is not just an extension of the resource, these are completely new characteristics. There is no point in repeating things thirty years ago, so we install modern equipment that brings this aircraft to high quality new level. All sixteen Tu-160s that are in the program will be modernized,” the specialist emphasizes.
Similar work is underway on the Tu-95 and Tu-22M3. “He wants to bring all long-range aircraft to one specific look. In the past, long-range aircraft (LAA) were produced over a long period of time. Each of the machines was designed to perform specific tasks. For example, striking naval radar-contrasting targets, nuclear strikes with strategic cruise missiles, bombing with free-falling bombs. Now the task is to upgrade all DA vehicles to a certain universal appearance, which includes all the components of possible combat use,” says Mikheev.
Previously, either missile control units or bomb control units were installed separately on each aircraft. “Now, in their place, small digital blocks are being installed, which themselves determine the type of weapon that is suspended in the bomb bays - is it a rocket, or a bomb, or some other means of destruction. Depending on this, it is planned accordingly combat use. All this will be done automatically. We hang up the ammunition, the system identifies it, compares it with the assigned task, and corrects it if necessary. In reality, everything is naturally much more complicated. But the principle itself looks something like this,” said Mikheev.
Modernized strategic bombers are already in service, but the main industry efforts are focused on creating the Tu-160M2.
The Minister of Defense announced the resumption of production of modernized Tu-160s with new weapons, on-board electronics, communications and electronic warfare systems in 2015. The transfer of these machines to the Armed Forces is planned for 2023, writes Valery Solozobov, Deputy General Director of Tupolev PJSC for design, research and development, in his article for the journal Radioelectronic Technologies.
According to him, the task of strengthening the aviation component of Russia's strategic nuclear forces was personally set by the President of Russia. He also gave instructions to intensify work on the promising long-range aviation complex (PAK DA) and the modernization of the existing Tu-160 and Tu-95MS missile carriers.
In the context of “anti-Russian activity of the United States and NATO,” long-range aviation is becoming increasingly important, the representative of Tupolev PJSC himself believes.
The main efforts of specialists are now aimed at creating the Tu-160M2. The car will only retain from its predecessor appearance, flight characteristics and aerodynamic properties, and the inside will be completely new, Solozobov confirms.
Preserving the airframe will dramatically reduce the time and money spent on long-term flight tests. The process is complicated by working, design and technological documentation for the Tu-160, preserved on outdated paper media. Creating a modern aircraft using this design technology is unacceptable, continues Solobozov. The same applies to the manufacture of airframe parts.
“Until the beginning of the 2000s, the fuselage and wings of the Il-76 and An-124 aircraft were stamped on a press that was bought in the USA in 1938, installed at a plant in Khimki, then in Tashkent, in order to produce the DC-3 (American short-haul aircraft) under license transport aircraft Douglas DC-3. - “Gazeta.Ru”),” writes the deputy general director of Tupolev PJSC.
The most pressing problems in creating the Tu-160 were the creation of digital technological and design documentation and training of workers and engineering personnel. Over the past decades, Russia has lost a cadre of highly qualified workers, Solobozov recalls.
To create a new missile carrier, re-equipment is also necessary modern equipment and other enterprises producing components: engines, chassis, pneumatic and hydraulic units, other devices and electronics.
Tupolev is working on organizing and digitizing technical documentation together with PJSC TANTK named after G.M. Beriev" in the "virtual design bureau" mode. “For the first time in the domestic aviation industry, the leading design schools of Tupolev, Yakovlev, Beriev, Sukhoi, Mikoyan, and Ilyushin are successfully interacting in one team,” emphasizes Solobozov.
Now designers “in all time zones of Russia” are working on digitizing different parts of the Tu-160 airframe.
About half a million drawings and design documentation are created in 3D format using modern software. Lack of a single domestic software in various organizations included in the “virtual design bureau”, it seriously complicated the work. We had to create the software anew, with the involvement of Russian IT specialists. In such conditions, only “from the fourth revision” it was possible to create the final and full version project documents.
With such a foundation, Tupolev designers now expect to more quickly organize the production of components and parts of the Tu-160. However, it is impossible to produce the aircraft without serious modernization of mechanical engineering, Solozobov states. He hopes that the tasks set for the creation of the Tu-160M2 will become a powerful incentive for the entire Russian industry.
Photo from open sources
The fear and horror of the Americans is that the Russian strategic missile carrier Tu-160, capable of demolishing a dozen North American states in one salvo, will soon receive new development.
Its upgraded version of the Tu-160M2, invulnerable to enemy air and missile defenses, will begin production after 2021. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu confirmed this date at the “government hour” in the Federation Council and explained that the Russian military-industrial complex is ready to begin production of an improved airborne strategic missile carrier that will be capable of delivering strikes outside the range of missile defense systems.
Currently, the Russian Aerospace Forces are armed with 16 Tu-160 strategic supersonic bombers. This is a “piece goods”, each of them has its own name - bears a personal name in honor of Russian and Russian pilots or epic heroes. With a crew of four, this “flying fortress” carries on board a weapon charge that is comparable to the power of a nuclear submarine, capable of destroying at least one of the US coasts with bombs and cruise missiles.
The need to modernize this “strategist” is due to the spirit of the times - it is planned to place new types of weapons on board, including the ultra-long-range Kh-BD missile, capable of delivering its warhead over a distance of over 3,000 kilometers. Now we are talking about the release of an almost new aircraft, which, although externally similar to its older brother “swan flock”, will be completely different from it in terms of equipment, avionics, and weapons. The decision to produce the updated Tu160M2 was made due to the need to create a transitional version of the strategic missile carrier. The promising long-range aviation complex (PAK DA), a new generation missile-carrying bomber created at Tupolev PJSC, will appear in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces a little later, approximately in 2023. It is assumed that this aircraft should replace the Tu-95, Tu-160 bombers and partially take over the functions of the Tu-22M3. The new aircraft must be made according to the “flying wing” design. Until its appearance, it is the improved Tu-160M2 that will assume the functions of the strike force of the strategic air wing.
“The Tu-160M2 is a completely new aircraft,” says aviation expert Yuri Gavrilov. – More than detailed information the characteristics of this “strategist” have not yet been disclosed. Presumably, Tupolev PJSC made changes to the design of this combat aircraft that should be implemented during the initial production cycle bomber. It is likely that these changes will be minimal. The bulk of the changes will most likely affect the bomber's on-board electronics systems. The development of avionics for the Tu-160M2 is carried out by the Russian Concern of Radio-Electronic Technologies. As part of the project to modernize the new aircraft, it is expected that new on-board systems, a strapdown inertial navigation system, an electronic warfare system, fuel and flow metering systems, and weapons control systems will be created. It is possible that some of the new systems could later be used in the PAK DA, which is being developed in parallel with the Tu-160M2.
The resumption of production of "White Swans" will undoubtedly require the mobilization of research and development production capacity aviation concern and the development of a fundamentally new approach to the creation of fundamentally new strategic aviation aircraft. Their purpose remains the same. At the same time, many elements of the improved aircraft will be completely new. And the Tu-160M2 will remain a powerful means of nuclear deterrence, which relies on supersonic flight speed and lightning-fast destruction of targets with missiles, primarily strategic cruise missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.”
The new strategic bomber should also receive new weapons. First of all, we are talking about the Kh-BD missile, which is expected to surpass in many respects its predecessor Kh-101, which the current Tu-160 carries on board. Its range is 3,000 kilometers, and the new missile is stated to have a probability of hitting a target of 5,000 kilometers. With complete secrecy of this development, it is argued that it will have amazing capabilities to “deceive” all existing and future air defense and missile defense systems. The Tu-160M2 will not even need to enter the air defense zone - it took off, launched at a safe distance and returned to the take-off airfield to drink tea. In principle, this is exactly how the Tu-160 in service is now capable of operating.
“The main location of Russian Tu-160 strategic bombers is considered to be the Aerospace Forces air base in Engels, Saratov region,” recalls aviation expert Yuri Pelyaev. “However, these aircraft, as well as such “strategists” as the Tu-95, which are also based here, are capable of carrying out combat duty in almost any region of the world. Their practical flight range is about 12 thousand kilometers; when refueling in the air, they are capable of staying in the air for more than a day. And the range recorded in 2010 was 18 thousand kilometers! And, having taken off near Saratov and then refueled, say, in the South China Sea region, where our Il-78 tankers are on duty at the Vietnamese Cam Ranh base, they can be close to the US coast for several hours.
Well, we cannot rule out the use of so-called “jump airfields,” for example, on Sakhalin or Kamchatka, from where these bombers can quickly fly up for the duration of a calculated strike on potential enemy targets. In this case, you don’t even need to enter the enemy’s air defense zone - the weapons carried on board can reach a target at a distance of two to five thousand kilometers. It is not at all necessary to approach the shores of a country that will turn out to be hostile towards Russia.”
The current Tu-160 is a supersonic aircraft with variable wing geometry, which is the world's best strategic bomber. It has the largest payload, the most high speed, it has no equal in terms of maximum flight altitude, combat radius, power supply, and has the longest-range missiles. The Tu-160 was first used in combat during a military operation of the Russian Aerospace Forces in Syria in November 2015. Taking off from Russian territory, they launched strikes with Kh-555 and Kh-101 cruise missiles at targets of the “Islamic State” (a terrorist organization banned in the Russian Federation) and, without entering Syrian airspace, returned to their home airfields. All targets were hit, which was confirmed by means of objective control.
The new generation of strategic bombers Tu-160M2, as stated by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, will be produced at the Kazan Aviation Plant named after. S.P. Gorbunova. It has experience in producing, among others, Tu-160 aircraft. And now electron beam welding of titanium has been restored, which is extremely necessary in the manufacture of new “White Swans”.
The combat effectiveness of the new vehicle, according to Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov, will increase by 2.5 times compared to the Tu-160, which was adopted by the Air Force Long-Range Aviation in 1987.
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