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    Tu-160 "White Swan" #2

    GarryB
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    Post  GarryB Sun Sep 19, 2021 6:26 am

    I believe those are the original Kh-55's. The Kh-555's only entered service in 2004 and I think I scanned those pictures from the late 90's magazines. Any Kh-55SM's without saddle tanks would instantly be just a Kh-55.

    That is the thing... the saddle tanks actually look like they are attached... ie bolted on... they don't form one piece with the rest of the missile they actually look like a conformal added fuel tank to essentially make the shape of the missile triangular.

    I would assume the Kh-555 could be fitted with saddle tanks or not fitted with saddle tanks depending on the range to the target in question.

    I don't even know if the saddle tanks on all the missiles that carry them can be jettisonned when empty to reduce drag and RCS...


    The NK-32-02 engine is a modernized version of the standard NK-32 engine for the Tu-160, and is developed and manufactured by the Samara PJSC Kuznetsov (part of the PJSC United Engine Corporation of the State Corporation Rostec). The NK-32-02 is supposed to replace the NK-32 engines on the Tu-160 combat bombers upgraded to the Tu-160M ​​version (a total of 15 aircraft are supposed to be upgraded), and should also be installed on the new Tu-160M2 bombers (a total of 10 aircraft have been contracted) ...

    I find it crazy that the TU-22M3 uses a different engine that is a similar size and similar thrust with similar fuel consumption but it is different... and both aircraft are Tupolevs so it is not like it is a rival company using an engine from a different engine maker.

    They were planning to upgrade the Tu-22M3M to use the NK-32 engine but I think Vlad said they changed their minds... but I can't remember if that was for the prototype M3M or for all of them.

    Modification would mean an extra 120 engines could be used on the 60 upgraded planes... and the older NK-25 engines could be gradually retired.
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    Post  Mir Sun Sep 19, 2021 9:45 am

    That is the thing... the saddle tanks actually look like they are attached... ie bolted on... they don't form one piece with the rest of the missile they actually look like a conformal added fuel tank to essentially make the shape of the missile triangular.

    I would assume the Kh-555 could be fitted with saddle tanks or not fitted with saddle tanks depending on the range to the target in question.

    I don't even know if the saddle tanks on all the missiles that carry them can be jettisonned when empty to reduce drag and RCS...

    They are indeed conformal tanks and aerodynamically shaped so that would likely help to keep the RCS relatively small. I have no idea if they are being able to jettison in flight but I doubt it. I would think that they use the internal fuel first and the switch to external but it could be the other way around? The Kh-555 is basically the Kh-55SM with a conventional warhead and has the same conformal fuel tanks fitted. The Kh-555 with the tanks and the Kh-101 with an even longer stand off range was used in Syria.
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    Post  Dorfmeister Mon Sep 20, 2021 7:35 pm

    GarryB wrote:I find it crazy that the TU-22M3 uses a different engine that is a similar size and similar thrust with similar fuel consumption but it is different... and both aircraft are Tupolevs so it is not like it is a rival company using an engine from a different engine maker.

    They were planning to upgrade the Tu-22M3M to use the NK-32 engine but I think Vlad said they changed their minds... but I can't remember if that was for the prototype M3M or for all of them.

    Modification would mean an extra 120 engines could be used on the 60 upgraded planes... and the older NK-25 engines could be gradually retired.

    Except that you forget the main problem about the NK-32 on the Tu-22M3: this aircraft has NOT been designed to carry it. As much as it is easy to say "yeah let's put this engine on this aircraft" it is not that easy to actually do it.

    The main difference between the NK-25 and NK-32 is how they're fixed to the aircraft fuselage: if you want to put the NK-32 on the Tu-22M3 you need to fully redesign a big part of the fuselage just to be able to carry the new engines. Basically, it means creating a new aircraft with a helluva lot of money. And this is of no use for the Tu-22M3, russians have picked up the "middle" way (and IMHO, the "smart" one): they're reengineering the NK-25 by adding the NK-32's FADEC on it. Wink

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    Post  GarryB Tue Sep 21, 2021 4:29 am

    They were not going to install NK-32s on every Tu-22M3, they were seriously modifying the Tu-22M3M.... changes include new radar and engines as well as extended bomb bay and even some talk of a reduction to two crew with automated systems and improved avionics.

    They also reinstalled the IFR probe and a few other changes too.

    Having to upgrade and modify two different engines is probably not that much cheaper than just modifying one to keep it up to date and not worrying about the other...

    They have had several decades to sort this out of course...

    They don't need to redesign the entire aircraft... it is just remodelling the engine bays... they are already making other serious modifications to the Tu-22M3M upgrade anyway.
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    Post  d_taddei2 Thu Oct 07, 2021 8:48 pm

    Not sure how true
    The story of when the US tried to buy three Tu-160 strategic bombers for use as launch platforms for Pegasus Space Launch Vehicle
    https://theaviationgeekclub.com/the-story-of-when-the-us-tried-to-buy-three-tu-160-strategic-bombers-for-use-as-launch-platforms-for-pegasus-space-launch-vehicle/
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    Post  Mir Thu Oct 07, 2021 9:26 pm

    There was a time when everything was for sale in Ukraine and its probably still true today. Fortunately Russia managed to salvage eight of the Tu-160's that were still in very good condition, but the 11 remaining bombers were unceremoniously scrapped with some eager US assistance. The real irony was that they were never meant to be stationed at Pryluky airbase in the first place. It was only a temporary measure due to construction work at Engles!  

    Pictured being stored at Pryluky.
    Tu-160 "White Swan" #2 - Page 2 Sbtu1611

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    Post  franco Tue Nov 23, 2021 11:11 pm

    The first new-built Tu-160M ​​bomber is preparing for flight

    Full article: https://bmpd-livejournal-com.translate.goog/?_x_tr_sl=ru&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=nui

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    Post  PapaDragon Wed Nov 24, 2021 4:33 am

    franco wrote:The first new-built Tu-160M ​​bomber is preparing for flight

    Full article: https://bmpd-livejournal-com.translate.goog/?_x_tr_sl=ru&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=nui

    The day that one flies will be fucking epic

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    Post  Arrow Wed Nov 24, 2021 3:26 pm

    An epic day will be the PAK DA first flight Very Happy

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    Post  George1 Mon Nov 29, 2021 1:38 pm

    Russia’s newly-built Tu-160M ‘White Swan’ strategic bomber to enter trials by yearend

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    Post  Arrow Mon Nov 29, 2021 4:54 pm

    So in December, only taxiing on the runway Neutral
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    Post  GarryB Tue Nov 30, 2021 4:29 am

    Will be interesting to see what they have done with the optics port... is it upgraded or is it removed or shifted.... perhaps they want to use targeting pods instead etc etc.

    Also wondering if there are any physical design changes, like different sweep angles or modifications of shape and materials.

    The fact that it is ready for taxiing is a good thing... they need to properly test everything because there is no rush and no reward if they do rush things and a crash occurs.
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    Post  owais.usmani Thu Dec 09, 2021 7:14 am



    Almost ready to come out of hangar.

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    Post  LMFS Tue Jan 04, 2022 3:57 am

    Two Tu-160MS equipped with new weapons will join the Russian long-range aviation in 2022

    The Russian Defense Ministry recalled that in 2021, long-range aviation units were replenished with four upgraded Tu-95MS strategic missile carriers.

    MOSCOW, January 4. /tass/. Two upgraded Tu-160M strategic missile carriers, which will enter long-range aviation in 2022, will be equipped with new electronic warfare systems and new weapons. This was reported to journalists on Tuesday in the Russian Defense Ministry.

    "The process of modernization of long-range aircraft is carried out in accordance with the approved plan. A special feature of the upgraded models of aviation equipment is the installation of new electronic warfare systems, modern navigation systems, equipment with new weapons, new avionics, as well as the installation of the latest means of displaying information on the crew's dashboards," the Defense Ministry quoted the commander of long - range aviation, Hero of Russia, Lieutenant General Sergei Kobylash.

    https://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/13350563

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    Post  dino00 Wed Jan 12, 2022 2:37 pm

    Tu-160M ​​strategic missile carrier built from scratch made its first flight

    Rostec reported that the plane's flight took place at an altitude of 600 m and lasted about 30 minutes


    "On January 12, the first newly manufactured Tu-160M ​​strategic missile carrier made its maiden flight from the airfield of the Kazan Aviation Plant - a branch of Tupolev (part of the UAC of the Rostec state corporation)," the Rostec said.

    Director General of the United Aircraft Corporation Yuri Slyusar, quoted by the press service of Rostec, said that the percentage of updated and modernized systems and equipment in the Tu-160M ​​missile carrier reaches 80.

    https://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/13407273

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    Post  Arrow Wed Jan 12, 2022 4:04 pm

    Tu-160 "White Swan" #2 - Page 2 446a469e9f07

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    Post  ALAMO Wed Jan 12, 2022 4:14 pm

    Only by looking at it, you know that it is a principally new plane. All those colours are new materials applied to the structure.
    You know what is funny ?
    The fact, that it means Russians designed&prototyped a brand new strategic bomber in ... 5 years?
    Not only that!
    They have made a stealth assault drone of strategic type.
    But that is not good enough yet.
    The new light fighter was made on about the same timetable.
    Last but not least, a Su-57 gets serial.
    We witness several big airforce rearming projects&programs running simultaneously, without serious issues that would put them in trouble.
    Now compare that to F-35 program disaster, and imagine that it is the very sole "new" project of the whole US/NATO combo, that has a GDP of about 8 TIMES bigger at its disposal, and that will go as low only if we consider a purchasing power parity method. If considered by nominal - the economy leverage is about 20x against the Russia.
    What does it tell us about the real condition of so called "western economy", the scale of frauds&negliance it represents, and the real technical know-how standing behind?
    It is mindblowing.

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    Post  Arrow Wed Jan 12, 2022 4:42 pm

    In addition, they are working on PAK DA, although here the competition is also working on the subsonic concept of the flying wings B 21 and H 20. Here 160M, however, there are no analogues in the world.

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    Post  Kiko Wed Jan 12, 2022 7:34 pm

    "A great achievement of the Russian industry": the Tu-160M ​​missile carrier built from scratch made its first flight, by Natalia Sergievskaya and Daria Uskova for Russian RTNews. 12.01.2022.

    The first strategic missile carrier Tu-160M ​​built from scratch in the history of modern Russia made its first flight, the press service of the Rostec state corporation reported. The aircraft retains the appearance of the famous Tu-160 bomber-bomber, however, it is being created on a completely new technological base using digital technologies. UAC General Director Yuri Slyusar added that 80% of the new machine has been updated and modernized systems and equipment.

    The Tu-160M ​​strategic missile carrier, the first in the history of modern Russia, built from scratch, made its first flight. This was reported by the press service of the state corporation "Rostec".

    The flight was carried out from the airfield of the Kazan Aviation Plant, a Tupolev branch of the United Aircraft Corporation. The flight took place at an altitude of 600 m and lasted about 30 minutes.

    "The crew of test pilots of Tupolev PJSC performed maneuvers to check the stability and controllability of the aircraft in the air," the message says.

    The press service recalled that the program for the reproduction of the Tu-160 in a modernized form was deployed by the decision of Russian President Vladimir Putin. They explained that the aircraft retains the appearance of the famous Tu-160 bomber-bomber, but is being created on a completely new technological base using digital technologies.

    “The fundamental importance of today's event is that the new car is completely rebuilt from scratch. It has 80% of its systems and equipment upgraded and modernized, ”said UAC General Director Yuri Slyusar.

    To implement the project, the design documentation was fully digitized, the technology of vacuum welding of titanium products was restored, and the production of airframe units was resumed.

    The head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia, Denis Manturov, emphasized that specialists have restored the full production cycle of the Tu-160, but already in the modification M. Now, modernized engines and aircraft control systems, navigation systems, and weapons control systems are used in production.

    “Today we see significant prospects for the Tu-160 platform: further development will allow it to be used for new types of weapons, including promising ones,” Manturov emphasized.

    In turn, the managing director of Tupolev, Vadim Korolev, added that as part of the program at the Kazan Aviation Plant, more than 40% of the workshop equipment was updated and modernized, and a significant part of the team underwent additional training.

    In early January, the commander of long-range aviation, Lieutenant General Sergei Kobylash, reported that two Tu-160M ​​missile carriers equipped with new weapons would enter long-range aviation in 2022.

    "The process of modernizing long-range aviation aircraft is carried out in accordance with the approved plan," TASS quoted him as saying.

    He specified that new electronic warfare systems and new types of weapons will be installed on the new Tu-160Ms.

    A military expert, retired colonel Viktor Litovkin, in a conversation with RT, called the great achievement of Russian industry that specialists assembled a new strategic bomber for the first time in the post-Soviet period.

    “Of course, 30 years after the Soviet era, new instruments, new avionics, new weapons control systems, types of weapons, new missiles, a nuclear warhead, and a nuclear-free warhead have been created. This plane can carry more than 20 tons of such missiles in its hatches, ”the expert said.

    He stressed that the Tu-160M ​​is equipped with the latest systems.

    “It has more powerful engines ... It's good that we have new bombers. A bomber, a carrier of nuclear weapons, is one of the elements of the three-tier system of strategic nuclear deterrence of a nuclear adversary. The aircraft has not yet been accepted into the Aerospace Forces. But the fact that he is already flying means that in the near future he will become a member of the Aerospace Forces and will be on alert, ”Litovkin concluded.

    Military expert Alexei Leonkov noted that as the TU-160M ​​enters the troops, they will gradually replace the Tu-95MS aircraft.

    “At the same time, the new aircraft has already been created taking into account modern technologies. The aircraft that existed before were created at the enterprises of the Soviet Union, and after that for a long time they were not even assembled. When the question arose that we need to modernize our nuclear triad, work was carried out on a deep modernization of the Tu-160, new engines appeared, already with completely different control systems, "he said in an interview with RT.

    The specialist added that electronic warfare systems were added to the new aircraft, which protect the strategic missile carrier from various types of air-to-air and ground-to-air weapons.

    “The airplane has increased its flight range, flight speed and duration of maintaining the afterburner mode. If we compare it with other aircraft, for example, with strategic aircraft in service with the United States - B-52, B-1B, B-2, then you need to understand that even these aircraft are ahead of them, ”he said.

    Leonkov noted that the new aircraft used a technology that helps to relieve the load from the crew when performing a combat mission.

    “It controls many systems and subsystems that ensure the stability of the aircraft flight and the accuracy of the combat mission,” said the expert.

    https://russian.rt.com/russia/article/948264-rosteh-tu-160m-pervyi-polyot

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    Post  Hole Wed Jan 12, 2022 8:04 pm

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    Post  Hole Wed Jan 12, 2022 8:05 pm

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    Post  Arkanghelsk Thu Jan 13, 2022 2:19 am

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    Post  hoom Thu Jan 13, 2022 9:01 am

    Gotta love the Russians.

    Ivan - Time for first test flight of new expensive big plane!
    Western observers ~ But there is several cm of snow on the runway shouldn't you ship it to a nice dry desert for the first flights? affraid
    Ivan - Nyet tovarich, we fly! unshaven

    Do we know if its got any rework with composites?

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    Post  Lennox Thu Jan 13, 2022 10:01 am

    Given that last December we were a bit let down by the runway test instead of a test flight, this is a surprise to be sure, and a welcome one Smile

    Still, a bit anticlimactic though, partly because I have always wanted to see its new cockpit, and it's still no where to be seen.

    As for composites, the original version already had some I think, but Im not sure if they decided to slap more on this beauty. Maybe someone with more info can share.
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    Post  Maximmmm Thu Jan 13, 2022 12:31 pm

    Lennox wrote:" I have always wanted to see its new cockpit, and it's still no where to be seen. "

    Give it 8 months and we'll have a killer voyennaya priyomka on zvezda about this baby. Then we'll get some nice footage.

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