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Tu-160M2 (Tu-160) Supersonic strategic bomber. First flight: 2021 © Konstantinos Panitsidis
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NATO reporting name: Blackjack


The Russian bomber Tu-160 Blackjack is a supersonic aircraft,  variable-geometry wing heavy strategic bomber.

With the main purpose destroy target with precision nuclear and conventional weapons at the enemy at distances up to 10.000 km.

Tu-160M2 - it is a deeply modernized version of the Tu-160 (M) Blackjack. The main differences concern the cockpit, powerplant, armament warehouses of electronics board and also given great importance to the reduction of Blackjack trace.


Tu-160M2 © Konstantinos Panitsidis
1. It has the latest generation of electronic systems(such as: a long range navigation system and other new generation subsystems) 2. Flight refuelling probe, extended 3. consists of a four crew comprised the pilot, the co-pilot, the navigation officer and the officer weapon system 4. The structure and or wing, bring specific depths technology "Stealth" 5. The Blackjack has two weapons bay, with a total capacity of 40.000 kg 6. Power Plant NK-32 after burning turbofan engines.

 

The modernized version of Blackjack M2 will join service not before 2023 and will remain in service until 2063.


HIS WEAPONS:


Kh-101 © Konstantinos Panitsidis
Range: 5000-10.000 km Cruise speed: 900 km/h Service ceiling: 30-10.000 m Circle of equal probability (CEP): 5- 10 m Warhead weight (conventional head): 400 kg.

 

Kh-555 © Konstantinos Panitsidis

Range: 2000-5000 km Cruise speed: 900 km/h Service ceiling: 40-110 m Circle of equal probability (CEP): 5 m Warhead weight (conventional head): 410 kg.

 

Version:

Kh-55 («izdeliye 120» or RKB-500, AS-15)
Kh-55OK («izdeliye 124»)
Kh-55SM («izdeliye 125» or RKB-500B, AS-15b) – long range
Kh-65 – configuration of Χ-55 with conventional warhead
Kh-555 –
  conventionally armed version with an improved guidance system and warhead. In October 1999 he was first tested.




Three-view drawing

Tu-160M2 © Konstantinos Panitsidis

 


Technical specifications

DESIGNER OKB Tupolev
COUNTRY Russia
TYPE
Strategical bomber
CREW 4
POWER-PLANT
Four turbofan engines with afterburning Kuznetsov ΝΚ-32
Thrust, kgf  
- with afterburning 4x25.054
- without afterburner 4x13.990
DIMENSIONS
 
Length, m
55,70
Height, m
13,20
Wing span, m
 
- with sweep 65ο 35,65
- with sweep  35ο 50,7
- with sweep  15ο 41,7
Wing area, m2 202,00
WEIGHT  
Maximum take-off, kg 275.000
Normal take-off, kg 267.600
Empty aircraft, kg 110.000
Internal fuel, kg 148.000
Warload, kg  
- in standard configuration 22.500
- maximum up to 40.000
PERFORMANCE  
Maximum speed (at high altitude), km/h 2.000
Maximum speed in low height, km/h 1.030
Cruising speed, km/h 850
Range, km  
- with weapon load, standard configuration 14.000
- maximum weapon load 10.500
Endurance, h +15
Rate of climb, m/min 4.200
Service ceiling, m 15.600
Maximum overload, g 2
ARMAMENT 2 drum with Cruise missiles Kh-55 and Kh-55L (Χ-55 or Χ -5M/SM (X-555 or X-101), with 12xKh-15 with nuclear and HE warhead, thermonuclear and free fall bomb, mine.