Russia changes strategy: Tu-345 temporarily replaces PAK DA
Russia will upgrade the old version of the aircraft into the Tu-345 to temporarily replace the new generation fighter PAK DA and it will only appear in 2030.
The project to create the future strategic bomber PAK DA, although it has appeared a lot in the media, will be implemented only in 2028 at the earliest.
The project's implementation time has increased significantly and has been transferred to the next stage of the national armaments program. This information was revealed by the "Aéronautique Militaire" portal.
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| Russia's new generation bomber PAK DA. |
The source said that the first prototype of this aircraft will appear as early as 2030, which also coincides with the appearance of the “Product 80” engine for this type of aircraft with a thrust of up to 25 tons.
Currently, researchers and designers are gradually completing their drawings.
Thus, in the current national weapons program, Russia will continue to produce an upgraded version of the Tu-22M long-range bomber.
The decision was made after Russian bombers performed exceptionally well on the Syrian battlefield.
And the presence of this version allows to maintain the effective combat capability of the Russian Air Force for another 20 to 25 years.
Production of this version will be carried out at the Kazan aircraft factory, where the production of the Tu-160M2 version is also being restored.
The Tu-22M modernization program will receive the name “Product 345” or “45-30”, implemented within the framework of the NIR “Magnhitka”. The newly created version will be able to upgrade to the level of Tu-22M3M (according to the new state armament program, 36 aircraft of this type will be produced).
Experts predict that the Tu-345 version will use the Tu-22M3 airframe, the NK-25 engine will be replaced by the NK-32 series 2 with a thrust of up to 25 tons but will be more fuel-efficient and durable. The production of this type of engine will be carried out at PAO “Kuznetsov” in Samara.
The Tu-345 cabin is expected to have 2 people instead of the current 4. The reason is the installation of new engine parts for refueling and fuel tanks located above the ceiling of the aircraft, with the use of this new engine will allow to increase the range of the Tu-22M3 from 6,800 km to a maximum of 10,000 km.
The combat capabilities of this aircraft will be ensured by a wide range of weapons, including aviation bombs, Kh-55/Kh-555, Kh-101/Kh-102, Kh-32 cruise missiles and new weapons such as Kinzhal, hypersonic guided missiles and Kh-50.
In addition, the ability to deploy nuclear weapons is also guaranteed.
According to the plan, to create a new prototype will use the unfinished prototype of Tu-22M3.
The first Tu-345 version based on the Tu-22M3 is expected to take off in 2021, and their serial production may be launched in 2026-2027.
It is expected that a maximum of 4 of these will be produced each year.