The most powerful bomber in Russian military history made its first test flight
The Kazan plant tested the first modernized Tu-160M2, the largest and most powerful bomber in Russian history.
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The Tu-160M2 before the test flight. Photo: Livejournal |
"The aircraft with serial number 804 took off for the first time last week and is undergoing a series of test flights, expected to be handed over to the Russian strategic air force by the end of this year,"TassCiting an anonymous source at the Kazan aircraft factory yesterday.
However, a source at the Kazan plant confirmed that the 804 only applied a few improvements, while the engine still used the old version on the Tu-160. When completed, the Tu-160M2 series will become the most powerful strategic bomber in Russian military history.
In mid-November last year, the Kazan plant began modernizing the Tu-160M2 strategic bomber based on the Soviet-era Tu-160 airframe numbered 804. This will be the first Tu-160M2 for the Russian military, adding to the strategic air force's fleet of 16 Tu-160 bombers.
The Tu-160M2 will serve as a technology testbed for the PAK-DA, Russia's multi-role stealth strategic bomber project. Russia's Institute of Radio-Electronic Technology (KRET) said the Tu-160M2 is equipped with the Su-57 stealth fighter's electronic warfare complex, which protects the aircraft against threats from anti-aircraft missiles, similar to a missile shield.
The electronic system on the Tu-160M2 has also changed significantly, applying many new technologies such as modular computers and not using foreign components. The aircraft has two internal storage bays, carrying 40 tons of bombs and long-range cruise missiles with a maximum range of up to 5,500 km.
Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov announced that the Russian Air Force will purchase at least 50 modernized Tu-160M2s to supplement its strategic forces and replace aging bombers.