Russia’s upgraded Tu-160M2 strategic bomber prototype first flight in Feb, 2018

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Tupolev Tu-160M2 strategic bomber prototype will take to the skies for the first time from the airfield of the Kazan Aviation Enterprise in February 2018. Serial production of Tu-160M2 bombers should begin in 2023.

In 2015, Russia had made a decision to resume the production of Tu-160 bombers in their upgraded Tu-160M2 modification and delayed development of the new-generation bomber PAK DA stealth bomber. Russia plans at least 50 Tu-160M2 bombers. All the Tu-160 bombers operational in the Aerospace Force will be fully upgraded with new engines and electronics. the Tu-160ME is projected to have an estimated combat effectiveness two and a half times greater than the old Tu-160.

The Tu-160 is much larger and much faster than the B-1B–with a maximum takeoff weight of over 606,000lbs and top speed greater than Mach 2.05. By contrast, the B-1B weighs in at 477,000lbs.

The Tu-160s primary armament has always been long-range cruise missiles like the Kh-55MS–of which it can carry a dozen. In recent months however, the Russians have used the conventional version Kh-555 version of the cruise missile against targets in Syria alongside much more advanced and stealthy Kh-101 cruise missile. The aircraft also carries the nuclear-tipped Kh-102.

The TU-160M2 will have NK-32 series 2 engines. They will has improved performance, and its range of flight will be increased by at least 1,000 km, compared with existing engines. Current Tu-160s have about 10,000 kilometer range. The New Tu-160M3 will have about 12,000 kilometer range.

The Tu-160M2 is expected to be equipped with an active phased array antenna radar system. It will also get a new fire control system, increasing the efficiency of its Kh-101 and Kh-102 long-range missiles (which have a maximum range of 5,500 km – the longest in the world). The plane will also be fitted with a modern electronic warfare station, increasing survivability against would-be ground and air-based anti-aircraft missile threats.

25 thoughts on “Russia’s upgraded Tu-160M2 strategic bomber prototype first flight in Feb, 2018”

  9. Maintenance and pilot training issues contributed to a bomber crash on take-off, at the end of September. Funding issues?

    • They can.. It will just sink any other acquisition program they have. No PAK-FA, definitely no PAK-DA, less SU-35’s, etc..

      There bomber force is pretty ancient, so they need to do something. It doesnt need to be crazy though, Russian doctrine is not going to include a penetrating bomber into a IAD of a peer country. They dont have the technology to pull that off, and they dont need it.

  11. And yet just by diverting a fraction of their defense spending budget into hacking, the Russians, the Chinese, or the Iranians could push American politicians into imploding their country. And the beauty of it is that they don’t even actually have to hack anything successfully – they just have to look like they are. Every time the Democrats lose an election, they’ll blame it on some external bogeyman, and bring hordes of protesting losers into the streets. It’s all about that great American competitive ethic.

      • In the long run I don’t think the Russians really need oil, just like America doesn’t really need the Cold War (only its Left does)

        • Russians haven’t yet demonstrated they can be a productive, economically vibrant society able to survive without oil and gas. All the know how to do throughout history is to take someone else’s land and live off the natural resources.

          • I don’t think anyone had that impression of the Russians until they went Soviet/Socialist. All socialists end up going down that slippery slope. That’s why the Russians have to be encouraged to dismantle remaining socialism and cultivate more entrepreneurialism.

          • Will you shut up or I write a script that will pour shit on ukraine automaticly. Do you want that ? Annoying little shit ?

            • I got nothing to do with Ukraine. But you paid Russian trolls keep proving your presence here and that is all I want. Keep exposing yourself. I will keep your operation on this site in check and keep exposing you misarable scam bags.

              • Hahaha I can see that you are from ukraine from Australia. Keep doing it and you will get “best” news about Ukraine in every NBF post.

                Ты обосранный хохол и все это видят. Сри в свои шаровары молча ублюдок.

                • Poshol naxui vatnik. I DON’T CARE ABOUT Ukraine. I care as much about Georgia, Baltic States, Moldova and any other country that predatory Russia threatened.
                  Just keep exposing yourself paid trolls.

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