Russia’s modernised missile-carrying bomber Tu-160M conducted its first test flight, Russian aerospace and defence company Tupolev reported on February 2.
“On 2 February 2020, the first flight of the first deeply modernised Tu-160M prototype bomber based on the Tu-160 combat aircraft took place at the KAZ airfield named after S. P. Gorbunov, a branch of PJSC Tupolev”, the press service said.
The flight was carried out at an altitude of 1,500 metres and lasted 37 minutes.
The grace and style of this aircraft is symbolic of the durable power of Russian designed aircraft.
Perhaps Turkey and Israel will be visited it soon in a Heart and Minds tour :)
Wonder if they will do a EW version and a long-range strategic bomber escort variant? (perhaps armed with 600km+ air-air missiles for downing tankers, AWACS, maritime patrol aircraft, ISTAR and SIGINT/ELINT platforms)