AviationGeeks.com - Tupolev Tu-160

Manufacturer: Tupolev

Status: In service

First flight: December 18^th, 1981

Entered service: April, 1987

Number built: 35

Currently operating: 16

Unit Cost: About 45 million rubles.

Specification

Crew: 4

Length: 54.1 m (177 ft 6 in)

Hight: 13.10 m (43 ft 0 in)

Wingspan:      

            20 degrees (max spread): 55.70 m (189 ft 9 in)

            65 degrees (min spread): 5.60 m (116 ft 10 in)

Wing area:

            20 degrees (max spread): 400 m2

            65 degrees (min spread): 360 m2

Max take-off weight: 275,000 kg (606,261 lb)

Empty weight: 118,000 kg (260,140 lb)

Loaded weight: 267,000 kg (588,634 lb)

Max payload: 16,330 kg (36,000 lb)

Fuel Capacity: 148,000 kg (326,285 lb)

Powerplant

Type: Kuznetsov NK-32 turbofans

Thrust: 30,900 lbf (137 kN)

Thrust with afterburner: 55,100 lbf (145 kN)

Thrust to weight ratio: 0.37

Performance

Max speed: 2,200 km/h (1,380 mp/h, Mach 2.05)

Cruise speed: 850 km/h (530 mp/h, Mach 0.77

Range: 12,300 km – 14,000 km (7,643 miles – 8,699 miles)

Ceiling: 49,200 ft (16,000 meters)

Rate of climb: 70 m/sec

History

The idea of a supersonic heavy bomber came first in 1950s in the Soviet Union. But is wasn’t until 1972, that the Soviet Union started a competition to build a supersonic heavy bomber to challenge the Air Force B-1 bomber project. The Soviet Union decided on a joint project between Tupolev and Gorbunov Aircraft Production Association, even though it was thought that the Myasishchev M-18 design was better. The government felt that Tupolev has a better change of actually being able to complete the project. In addition to competing with Myasishchev M-18, Tupolev was also competing with Sukhoi T-4.

In 1975, the development started for the Tu-160 and the first flight was made in December, 1981.A total of 35 airframes were built, including 3 that were used for testing. 32 aircrafts went into service for the Soviet Union military. In 1991, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Ukraine became the owner of 19 of the 36 bomber as Ukraine took over all military equipment in the country after the fall of the Soviet Union. In 1996, Russia received 8 of those 19 aircraft back from Ukraine as a deal was made that would reduce Ukraine´s energy debt. Currently there are at least 16 Tu-160 operating in the Russian military.

Photo by Mikhail Evteev

New Tu-160

The Russian government has announced that it wants to have at least 30 Tu-160 bombers in service by 2030. The development of the new bomber started early this decade. The first flight of the “new” bomber was made in December, 2007 and joined the Russian Air Force in April, 2008. Reports very as to how many of the new Tu-160, but one reports suggest that 3 new aircraft have been delivered (while some report suggest only 1 has been delivered). In addition to 6 Tu-160 that serve as experimental aircrafts at Zhukovski. The Russian government has decided to put $4 billion into upgrading avionic systems and long distance cruise missiles.

Accidents / Incidents

There has only be one reported Tu-160 accident.

On September 18^th, 2003, a Tu-160 crashed following a fire in one of the engines killing all 4 onboard. The bomber was not carrying any weapons.