Russia’s modernized Tu-160M bomber completes second phase of testing

Europe, News January 11, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

Russia’s new and improved Tupolev Tu-160M bomber prototype has successfully completed its second phase of aerial testing. The bomber has now been delivered to the ministry of defense for further trials before it receives a nod of approval for production.

The Tupolev Tu-160M is an upgraded variant of the Tu-160 bomber and features new weaponry, improved electronics, and avionics, which increases its combat effectiveness. It is the backbone of the Russian Air Force’s long-range aircraft, along with Tu-95MS bombers.

Tupolev’s subsidiary company United Aircraft Corporation had been working on the development and testing of the new Tu-160M bomber jet. The testing phase for the upgraded bomber started testing the upgraded prototype of the bomber in January 2022.

The tests involved maneuvers to check the stability of the bomber at altitudes of 600 and 2,000 meters. Tupolev’s the serviceability of its systems; and the functionality of its engines, avionics, flap controls, and gear-down and landing systems. The test program also includes checking pilot suits, helmets, breathing systems, and catapult functionality.

After the completion of the factory testing program, the company delivered the aircraft to the Russian ministry of defense for the second stage of tests. During this stage, officials will confirm whether the upgraded version of the aircraft meets all the specified requirements.

The Tu-160M is a long-range bomber that can carry both nuclear and conventional armaments to attack enemy targets in distant locations. According to Russian media, the Tu-160M is currently the country’s biggest military supersonic aircraft.

The bomber is known for its bright and reflective stealth white coating that covers the whole airframe giving it the nickname “white Swan.” The bright white coat on the plane has been added for the protection of the crew during a nuclear explosion. During a nuclear explosion, the coating would reflect some of the thermal energy.

If the plane passes the phases of testing and gets approved by the ministry of defense, Russia expects to purchase 50 Tu-160M aircraft eventually. The serial production of the updated bomber is scheduled to start in 2023, with a minimum production rate of three aircraft per year.

*^{Russian supersonic bomber Tupolev Tu-160 flying over the Volga and the cities of Engels (left) and Privolzsky (right), Saratov Region. (Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons)}*

The Tu-160M is powered by a Kuznetsov NK-32 engine that generates nearly 55,000 pounds of thrust produced at full afterburner. Reportedly, Tu-160M would be armed with X-101 cruise missiles that can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads. These missiles can fit in 12 slots on the aircraft.

The aircraft is also expected to carry the latest Russian-made hypersonic weapons. Russian Air Force is expected to carry out several hypersonic missile launches using Tu-160M at the Sary Shagan test range in Kazakhstan or the Pemboy test range in the Arctic region in near future.