According to military expert Dave Majumdar of the National Interest, Russia has chosen a reasonable and affordable method of developing its Strategic Air Force, focusing on modernizing its fighter bombers. comb Tu-160M2.
Military expert Dave Majumdar writing in the National Interest magazine emphasized that the new Tu-160M2 aircraft dubbed “white swans “ will be equipped with advanced engines to increase the maximum flight range by 1000km.
Tu-160M2 strategic bomber.
As Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov explains, all Tu-160 strategic bombers are planned to install the second generation NK-32 turbojet engine.
In addition, the Russian Ministry of Defense promised to upgrade all radio-electronic equipment of the Tu-160M2. And equipped with new long-range missiles. This is a particularly important part of the strategic air force modernization program, taking into account the “White Swan” TU-160 , first and foremost an aircraft armed with cruise missiles, the author of the article said.
“Different from the American B-2 Spirit or B-21 Rider bombers, the Russian fighter is designed to destroy targets inside dense air defense zones with long-range missiles. Therefore, Tu-160M2 will be equipped with a new generation cruise missile” , the article emphasized.
According to experts, the program to upgrade and modernize the Tu-160M2 — the program is more economically and technically feasible than the development of a supersonic bomber.
“Russia is building strategic bombers PAK DA (in progress since 2009), however, Tu-160M2 in the medium term is enough,” concluded Majumdar.
Tu-160 – the largest swing-wing aircraft, one of the most powerful war machines in the world.
Tu-160M2 will be equipped with a new generation cruise missile.
Tu-160 is a supersonic, long-range, missile-equipped strategic bomber ; Designed to destroy nuclear and conventional weapons, targets in remote military areas and in the enemy’s tactical depths.
Tu-160 was designed, developed by designer Valentin Bliznyuk, made its first flight on December 18, 1981, and entered service with the Soviet Air Force in 1987.
Tu-160 has a maximum speed of – 2000km/h, actual range – 12,300km, actual ceiling – 21,000m, crew of 4.
Armament: 12 cruise missiles, or 40 tons of bombs. Flight time up to 15 hours (without refueling). Currently, the Russian Air Force owns at least 15 Tu-160s. It is expected that, by 2020, the Russian Air Force will be equipped with 10 more Tu-160M (upgraded version of Tu-160).