Swans flock home
The supersonic missile-carrying bomber was developed in the early 1970s, when it became clear that subsonic 3M and Tu-95 bombers, which did not yet carry long-range cruise missiles, were unable to penetrate NATO's air defenses in a conflict. The maiden flight of the new plane took place at the end of 1981.
From the outset, the Tu-160 was designed as a missile-carrying bomber, that, combined with its high altitude performance, was to make it less vulnerable when breaking through NATO's air defenses. Its serial production began in 1984, and in 1987 the first units joined the air force. By 1991, the Soviet Union had 19 Tu-160 strategic bombers in service, which belonged to the 184th Heavy Bomber Regiment at Priluki, Ukraine.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia's new leadership decided to discontinue the production of Tu-160s and Tu-95MSs, and also to stop regular flights by strategic aviation outside Russia's airspace. With completion of nearly-ready aircraft, Russia's air force was found to have only six "White Swans", as pilots dubbed the Tu-160. A few others were used as flying laboratories for all sorts of tests.
Ukraine, meanwhile, decided to disband its force of strategic bombers. It resolved to return eight Tu-160s and three Tu-95s to Russia in exchange for gas debt.
In the early 2000s, it was decided to upgrade existing Tu-160s and finish the few planes in assembly jigs at the Kazan aircraft plant. In 2003, one of the Tu-160s was lost in an air disaster - as yet the only recorded loss in the service history of this plane.
In 2007, Vladimir Putin decided to resume regular missions by strategic aviation to remote parts of the world. It was also decided to restart production of Tu-160s and increase the air force complement to 30. All new aircraft, as well as the upgrades, were to be equipped with improved NK-32 engines, which have long service intervals and thus increase the service life of a Tu-160.
The bomber's armaments include Kh-55 nuclear-tipped long-range cruise missiles. For tactical purposes, it can also carry missiles in non-nuclear configuration, smart bombs, bomb clusters, and other weapons.
The Tu-160 is the world's largest combat plane - its maximum takeoff weight is 275 tons. At the same time, it has a high speed - 2,250 km/hr, or 700 km more than the American B-1B supersonic bomber, and much lower visibility. Its range without refueling is 6,000 km, which, in case it uses long-range cruise missiles, enables it to engage targets 7,000 to 8,000 km away from base.
The Tu-160's characteristics and its upgrade potential make it the world's best strategic bomber, better than the B-2 Stealth bomber, which is second to the Tu-160 in speed, payload, range and combat flexibility.
The opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily represent those of RIA Novosti.