Russia is ramping up production of its Tu-160M ‘White Swan’ nuclear bombers, which are now capable of carrying modern weapons. The new bombers are part of Russia’s efforts to modernize its nuclear arsenal and maintain its strategic nuclear deterrence.
The Tu-160M is a supersonic, variable-sweep wing, long-range strategic bomber. It is the largest and heaviest combat aircraft ever built, and is capable of carrying up to 12 cruise missiles. The bomber is powered by four Kuznetsov NK-32 afterburning turbofan engines, and has a maximum speed of Mach 2.05.
The Tu-160M is the latest version of the Tu-160, which was first introduced in 1987. The new version has been upgraded with modern avionics, navigation systems, and weapons. It is also equipped with a new radar system, which allows it to detect and track targets at greater distances.
The Tu-160M is capable of carrying a variety of modern weapons, including the Kh-101 and Kh-102 cruise missiles. These missiles are capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads, and have a range of up to 5,500 kilometers. The bomber is also capable of carrying the Kh-55SM cruise missile, which has a range of up to 3,000 kilometers.
The Tu-160M is part of Russia’s efforts to modernize its nuclear arsenal and maintain its strategic nuclear deterrence. The bomber is seen as a key component of Russia’s nuclear triad, which also includes land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles and submarine-launched ballistic missiles.
The Tu-160M is currently in production at the Kazan Aircraft Plant in Russia. The first batch of bombers is expected to be delivered to the Russian Air Force in 2021. The Russian military plans to acquire up to 50 of the bombers by 2027.
The Tu-160M is a formidable weapon, and its deployment will ensure that Russia maintains its strategic nuclear deterrence. The bomber is capable of carrying a variety of modern weapons, and its long range and supersonic speed make it a formidable opponent. With the Tu-160M, Russia is sending a clear message that it is ready to defend itself against any potential threat.