The Tupolev Tu-160 Beliy Lebed (or White Swan; NATO reporting name: Blackjack) is a supersonic, variable-sweep wing heavy strategic bomber designed by the Tupolev Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. The Tu-160 is the world’s largest combat aircraft, largest supersonic aircraft and largest variable-sweep aircraft built.
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It should also be mentioned that it’s the most beautiful bomber
It took a bit of design to match the Vulcan.
The stealth of the B-2 and the speed of the F-22. Damn this plane rocks.
Although supersonic, the T-160 does not cruise much faster than a B-52, around 560 mph. Supersonic speeds are used to evade SAM or threats from interceptors and cannot be sustained for long periods. Unlike the F-22 which can supercruise @ 1220 mph for nearly its entire flight mission.
Supersonic bombers which are not sealth are basically obsolete. ICBMs and long range missile technology (trident II) is a far better delivery system. Naval and submarine assets can provide quicker delivery without endangering pilots. I do agree that the Tu-160 is a thing of beauty. I would love to see a real MIG-31 Firefox built someday :)