IMAGE: mil.ru
A first Tu-160M modernised strategic bomber will enter the Russian Armed Forces in 2021, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu announced during his working visit to the Gorbunov Kazan Aviation Plant (a branch of the Tupolev PJSC).
“We are working on upgrading the Tu-160M and giving its a new outlook in accordance with the schedule. The first aircraft which will have no analogues in the world, will enter the troops in 2021,” he stressed. “The aircraft will be equipped with the latest on-board defence system, a modern reliable communications system with enhanced anti-jamming system, and unique weapons, which will significantly expand its combat capabilities when using standard and nuclear weapons. NK-32 engines of the second series are installed on the strategic bomber, which will significantly increase the flight range and duration.”
The modernised Tu-160M features new engines and avionics and a metallic canopy treatment that reduces the type’s radar-reflectivity. This measure is expected to boost considerably the efficiency of using the aircraft system according to its designation.
The way things are happening now it be too little too late, in my opinion.
I would not call Russian nuclear triad capabilities “too little too late”. As of right now that is US who is behind.
I would not either but the spirit I said it I mean that by 2021 it be no need for them as the way things go around the globe as syria it become a stalemate, kind of a mexican standoff, will blow sky high long before this planes are operational. My personal opinion following global events. And what is coming it be who hit first and hardest with what they have at their disposal operational now and not in some future time.
I understand your view. US “elties” desperately need war (somewhere outside US they hope). They would not get it on their terms. Lets see how it unfolds.
There were reports (a year or so ago) that Tu-160M2 will enter service in 2023. It seems that priorities shifted and Russia feels the need to have them earlier.
Will they be first building the new ones, or modernizing existing planes?
Reads from the article that this is the first of the new batch of 10 M2. (Tu-160M Phase I aircraft having been introduced from 2014 end) Could be wrong, but that is what it reads like as we already know from the picture that at least one Tu-160M2 has been modernized from an existing Tu-160 airframe.
Hey everybody! Russia is going to produce ONE aircraft. Look out USA! It’s acually a very impressive plane. But the Russian’s feeble ability to physically make numerous units of what they design is pathetic. No wonder the US is hardly rattled. In 100 years maybe they coultd make 6 SU-57s or 7 Yansen subs. Go make a deal with China. Swap Russian technology for Chinese manufacturing. Just do something.
Actually they will be producing about 50 bombers with top of the line equipment, most likely armed with KH101 and hypersonic missiles.
“””Hey everybody! Russia is going to produce ONE aircraft. Look out USA! It’s acually a very impressive plane. But the Russian’s feeble ability to physically make numerous units of what they design is pathetic”””
What new aircraft has US been getting for the last 10 years with budgets close to 700 billion? 30-90 F35’s a year or less? Russia has been getting close to 100 generation 4++ aircraft per year for the last 6-7 years.
I agree the US can made many copies of junk. And Russia designs much better stuff. But you only get a few good windows of opportunity in history and now is not the time for Russia to get parsimonious.
Russia would kick our asses. Period .
Yes. But how much more so if they just made a decent amount of what they’ve got.
The window of opportunity is getting bigger and bigger for Russia, as it supersedes US capabilities with the development of hypersonic weapons, lasers and antiballistic missile systems Russia does not need to spend money needlessly on redundant systems, Suk 35 writhin IAD’s configuration can overwhelm the F22. They can take their time with the Suk 57 and figure out it will become a platform for generation 6 aircraft. Yassen subs are expensive, and maybe the Huskie class a next generation would be more capable and less expensive. Remodernizing older subs and improving the AIP technology would allow diesel subs to increase their capabilities significantly.
Very well put. I certainly agree with your observations. Still, Russia should get on with making more of what it has designed or risk losing its hard won advantage.
FYI: tu-160 is copy of american bomber.
US warcraft are copies of crap. When it actually gets around to producing something Russian warcraft perform far better than US junk and stay serviceable. Look at the pathetic figures of how much US hardware is for ever under repair. Both Russia and China are leaving the US in the dirt.
and you are copy of 5-years old child
Say something of substance or shut up.
F.Y.M.
if aircraft carriers are sitting ucks (according to sir jesus), thge bombers are flying ducks. obsolet weapon.
Really? Tu 160 would sink aircraft carriers and destroy continental US from standoff distances that are beyond the reach of of SAC defensive reach. A TU 160 could fire Kh 101 or 102 across the pole, or mid Atlantic and destroy its targets.
tu -160 is extremly vulnerable. it is not defende. while carriers are heavily defended.
USA! USA! USA! What a moron! The US DofD budget can’t even pass an audit due to waste, abuse fraud and theft, that prevents badly needed upgrade and innovation. Why do you think the US has laid to waste countries that can’t fight back?? The US is woefully incapable of fighting a major conventional war and would LOSE. If war on Russia then war on China and vice versa. We would be left in a smoking pile of RUBBLE. Russia utilizes it’s small military budget for innovation and upgrade. It is not a Jew elite cookie jar like ours IS.
Absolutely true. I agree entirely. But Russia undermines its advantage by being timid about making what they designed. They should not fail to miss this opportunity to surge forward. And they are behaving like frightened rabbits.
As long as USA and their allies are not invading Russia it means that either US is not ready or Russia is strong enough to hit back. For the moment Americans are getting closer to Russia and trying to dismember CIS.
Strikes me that the Tu-161P variant needs the go-ahead as the ultra long-range strategic forces escort fighter. Rather than air to ground weapons payload, crammed with R-33, R-37/R-37M, KS-172S-2 and powerful mini AWACS capabilities.