US acknowledges the power of Tu-160 bomber

According to the American magazine, both aircraft have quite similar appearances and their roles are also similar, but the two bombers still possess many differences.

The US B-1B operates at low altitudes and reaches speeds of Mach 1.25, so the bomber cannot fly over territory with defense systems. However, the aircraft can receive radar images of objects on the ground and use high-precision weapons.

Since the start of US military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, the bomber has been equipped with the Sniper XR.

The Russian Tu-160, the newspaper writes, is larger and faster than the B-1B. In addition, the Tu-160 has a maximum takeoff weight of 272,000 kg and reaches a speed of more than Mach 2.05, while the American bomber can take off if its weight does not exceed 216,000 kg.

Russian bombers are equipped with long-range cruise missiles X-55. The Tu-160 is capable of carrying 12 such missiles. The bomber also has X-102 cruise missiles with thermonuclear warheads.

Along with National Interest, the US newspaper Inquisitr also had a similar opinion when talking about the power of Russian long-range aircraft. Inquisitr said that the improved model of the Tu-160, even before its completion, was considered the fastest missile-carrying aircraft of the 21st century, with new electronic systems that gave it even more advantages in the sky and surpassed the B1 Lancer bomber model.

According to Inquisitr, the B-1 Lancer is equipped with the AN/APQ-164 passive electronically scanned array radar, which is equipped with a microprocessor capable of steering the electronic beam to reduce the possibility of being detected. In addition, the radar is also capable of setting a synthetic aperture to create a high-resolution digital map of the ground.

In addition, the B-1 Lancer is also equipped with the AN/ALQ-161A radar warning and jamming receiver. This system includes 8 AN/ALE-49 jamming flare systems. The B-1 also has the ALE-50 towed camouflage system.

Thanks to electronic support measures, the B-1 Lancer has a relatively low radar and infrared signature. The B-1's radar cross section is estimated at 2.4 square meters. The aircraft is also equipped with an advanced inertial guidance system and a modern satellite navigation system.

Meanwhile, information about the Tu-160's radar has not been released, but airforce-technology.com said it is equipped with advanced electronic systems, modern navigation and attack radars, and an electronic warfare system operating on a highly automated platform.

In addition, the Tu-160 is also designed with the ability to reduce infrared and radar exposure even though it is not a stealth aircraft. With only this information, Inquisitr magazine believes that in terms of mission features, the two aircraft lines are equivalent, but in many indicators, the B-1 Lancer is inferior to Russia's Tu-160.