Work on the creation of the aircraft TU-160 "White Swan""- a missile-carrying supersonic long-range bomber began in 1968 at the A.N. Tupolev Design Bureau. And in 1972, a preliminary design of such an aircraft with a wing of variable geometry was made. In 1976, the project of the Tu-160 model was approved by the commission. Engine type NK- 32 was developed specifically for this aircraft model by the Kuznetsov Design Bureau in 1977.
Tu-160 Photo
According to NATO classification, these strategic bombers are called “Black Jack”, and in American slang they are called “bludgeon” (Black Jack - to beat with a baton). But our pilots called them “White Swans” - and this is very similar to the truth. Supersonic Tu-160s are beautiful and graceful, even with formidable weapons and amazing power. The weapons chosen for them were Kh-55 - subsonic small-sized cruise missiles and Kh-15 - aeroballistic missiles, which were placed on multi-position installations under the wings.
The Tu-160 mock-up was approved at the end of 1977, and the experimental manufacturing enterprise MMZ "Experience" (in Moscow) began assembling three prototype aircraft. Kazan production manufactured the fuselages, the wing and stabilizer were made in Novosibirsk, the cargo compartment doors were made in Voronezh, and the landing gear supports were made in the city of Gorky. The assembly of the first machine “70-01” was completed in January 1981 in Zhukovsky.
The Tu-160 with serial "70-01" was first tested in the air in 1981 on December 18. During state tests, which ended in mid-1989, the Tu-160 aircraft fired four Kh-55 cruise missiles as the main armament of the aircraft. Maximum speed aircraft during horizontal flight was 2200 km/h. This speed for operation was limited to 2000 km/h - this was introduced due to the condition of the resource limit. Many Tu-160s were given personal names, like warships. The first Tu-160 was named “Ilya Muromets”.
Tu-160 crew: 4 people.
Engines: (turbine) four NK - 32 TRDDF 4x14,000/25,000 kgf (thrust: working / afterburner).
The unit is three-shaft, dual-circuit, with an afterburner. It is started by an air starter.
Behind the left support of the main landing gear is the APU - an electrical engine control system with hydromechanical duplication
Weight and loads: normal take-off - 267,600 kg, empty aircraft - 110,000 kg, maximum combat - 40,000 kg, fuel - 148,000 kg.
Flight data: 2000 km/h - flight speed at altitude, 1030 km/h - flight near the ground, from 260 to 300 km/h - landing speed, 16000 m - flight ceiling, 13200 km - practical range, 10500 km - duration flight at maximum load.
Salon
Tu-160 is one of the USSR combat aircraft, which the press learned about before its construction, several years ago. In 1981, on November 25, the aircraft was prepared for testing in the town of Zhukovsky (Ramensky) near Moscow. The car was parked alongside two Tu-144s and was photographed by a passenger from a plane landing at the nearby Bykovo airfield. From that moment on, the bomber received its nickname “Ram-P” (Ram - from Ramenskoye) and the NATO code - “Black Jack”. With this name, the heaviest bomb carrier of all time was introduced to the world.
At the negotiations on SALT-2 in the 70s of the last century, L.I. Brezhnev said that, in contrast to the American B-1, a new strategic bomber was being designed in the USSR. The press mentioned that it would be produced at a plant in Kazan. What about today?
During the collapse of the USSR, Tu-160s were distributed among the republics. 19 of them went to Ukraine, the air regiment in Priluki. Eight were transferred to pay off gas debts to Russia, and the rest were simply cut up. In Poltava you can visit the last Ukrainian “swan”, turned into a museum.
Tu-160V (Tu-161) is a missile carrier project that includes a power plant that runs on liquid hydrogen. Taking into account the peculiarities of the fuel system, it differs from the basic version in the dimensions of the fuselage. Liquefied hydrogen, which was used in engine units as fuel, was reserved at temperatures down to -253 °C. It is additionally equipped with a helium system, which is responsible for controlling cryogenic engines, and a nitrogen system, which controls the vacuum in the thermal insulation cavities of the aircraft.
Tu-160 NK-74 is a modification of the Tu-160, which contains more economical bypass turbojet engines with an NK-74 afterburner. These power plants were assembled to order in Samara at SNTK im. N.D. Kuznetsova. The use of these aircraft engines made it possible to increase the flight range parameter.
Tu-160P is a modification that is a heavy long-range escort fighter that could carry medium- and long-range air-to-air missiles on board.
Tu-160PP is an electronic warfare aircraft project. On this moment There is only a full-size model; the characteristics of the new aircraft and the composition of the equipment have been determined.
Tu-160K is a project of an aircraft that is part of the Krechet aviation and missile complex. Brought to the stage of a finished preliminary design at the Yuzhnoye Design Bureau. The chief designer was V.F. Utkin. Work on the ARK "Krechet" was carried out in 1983-1984. in order to increase the efficiency and survivability of ballistic missiles during a nuclear explosion and to test the energy functionality of the carrier aircraft. Armed with the Krechet-R missile.
This is a two-stage small-sized ICBM of the 4th generation. It was equipped with sustainer solid fuel engines running on mixed fuel. In flight mode, liquid monopropellant was used. The carrying capacity of the Tu-160K carrier aircraft was 50 tons. This meant that the modification could carry on board two Krechet-R ICBMs weighing 24.4 tons each. Taking into account the flight range of the Tu-160K aircraft, its effective application was up to 10 thousand km away.
At the project stage, the development of ground equipment for coordinating the actions of the aircraft was completed in December 1984.
The Krechet-R missile control system is autonomous, inertial, connected to external sources information. The coordinates and speed of the rocket were received on board the aircraft from a satellite, and the position angles of the command instruments were specified from the astrocorrector. The first stage of controls is aerodynamic rudders, the second is a rotary control nozzle. The ICBMs were planned to be equipped with separating warheads with individual guidance and warheads, which were intended to break through enemy missile defense. Work on the ARK "Krechet" was curtailed in the mid-80s of the twentieth century.
Tu-160SK is an aircraft that was intended to carry a three-stage Burlak liquid system, the mass of which was 20 tons. According to the designers’ calculations, up to 600-1100 kg of cargo could be launched into orbit, and delivery would cost 2-2.5 times cheaper , rather than using launch vehicles with a similar payload capacity. The missile launch from the Tu-160SK should take place at altitudes of 9000-14,000 m at an aircraft speed of 850 to 1600 km/h. The characteristics of the Burlak complex were supposed to be superior to the American analogue of the subsonic launch complex, the carrier of which was the Boeing B-52, equipped with a Pegasus launch vehicle. The purpose of "Burlak" is a constellation of satellites in the event of mass destruction of airfields. Development of the complex began in 1991, commissioning was planned in 1998-2000. The complex also had to include a ground service station and a command and measurement point. The flight range of the Tu-160KS to the launch site of the launch vehicle was 5000 km. 01/19/2000 signed between the aerospace corporation “Air Launch” and “TsSKB-Progress” in Samara regulations on cooperation towards the creation of the Air Launch aerial missile complex.
The strategic bomber Tu-160 “White Swan” or Blackjack (baton) in NATO terminology, is a unique aircraft. This is the basis of nuclear power modern Russia. The TU-160 has excellent technical characteristics: it is the most formidable bomber that can also carry cruise missiles. This is the largest supersonic and graceful aircraft in the world. Developed in the 1970-1980s at the Tupolev Design Bureau and has a variable sweep wing. In service since 1987. Tu-160 "White Swan" - video
The Tu-160 bomber became the “answer” to the US AMSA (Advanced Manned Strategic Aircraft) program, within which the notorious B-1 Lancer was created. The Tu-160 missile carrier was significantly ahead of its main competitors Lancers in almost all characteristics. The speed of the Tu 160 is 1.5 times higher, the maximum flight range and combat radius are just as large. And the thrust of the engines is almost twice as powerful. At the same time, the “stealth” B-2 Spirit cannot stand any comparison, in which literally everything was sacrificed for the sake of stealth, including distance, flight stability and payload capacity.
Quantity and cost of TU-160 Each long-range missile carrier TU-160 is a one-piece and rather expensive product; it has unique technical characteristics. Since their creation, only 35 of these aircraft have been built, with an order of magnitude fewer remaining intact. But they still remain a threat to enemies and the real pride of Russia. This aircraft is the only product that received its name. Each of the aircraft built has its own name; they were assigned in honor of champions (“Ivan Yarygin”), designers (“Vitaly Kopylov”), famous heroes (“Ilya Muromets”) and, of course, pilots (“Pavel Taran”, “Valery Chkalov " and others).
Before the collapse of the USSR, 34 aircraft were built, with 19 bombers remaining in Ukraine, at the base in Priluki. However, these vehicles were too expensive to operate, and they were simply not needed for the small Ukrainian army. Ukraine offered to give 19 TU-160s to Russia in exchange for Il-76 aircraft (1 to 2) or for writing off the gas debt. But for Russia this was unacceptable. In addition, Ukraine was influenced by the United States, which actually forced the destruction of 11 TU-160s. 8 aircraft were transferred to Russia for writing off the gas debt. As of 2013, the Air Force had 16 Tu-160s. Russia had too few of these aircraft, but their construction would have cost a huge amount. Therefore, it was decided to modernize 10 bombers out of the existing 16 to the Tu-160M standard. Long-range aviation should receive 6 modernized TU-160s in 2015. However, in modern conditions even modernization of existing TU-160s cannot solve the assigned military tasks. Therefore, plans emerged to build new missile carriers.
In 2015, Kazan decided to consider the possibility of starting production of the new TU-160 at KAZ facilities. These plans were formed as a result of the current international situation. However, this is a difficult but solvable task. Some technologies and personnel were lost, but, nevertheless, the task is quite feasible, especially since there is a backlog of two unfinished aircraft. The cost of one missile carrier is about 250 million dollars. History of the creation of the TU-160 The design task was formulated back in 1967 by the Council of Ministers of the USSR. The design bureaus of Myasishchev and Sukhoi were involved in the work, and they proposed their own options a few years later. These were bombers capable of reaching supersonic speed and overcoming air defense systems at it. Tupolev Design Bureau, which had experience in developing Tu-22 and Tu-95 bombers, as well as supersonic aircraft Tu-144, did not participate in the competition. In the end, the Myasishchev Design Bureau project was recognized as the winner, but the designers did not have time to celebrate the victory: after some time the government decided to close the project at the Myasishchev Design Bureau. All documentation on the M-18 was transferred to the Tupolev Design Bureau, which joined the competition with Izdeliye-70 (the future TU-160 aircraft).
The future bomber had the following requirements: flight range at an altitude of 18,000 meters at a speed of 2300-2500 km/h within 13 thousand km; flight range near the ground of 13 thousand km and at an altitude of 18 km in subsonic mode; the aircraft must approach the target at subsonic cruising speed, overcome enemy air defenses - at cruising speed near the ground and in supersonic high-altitude mode. The total mass of the combat load should be 45 tons. The first flight of the prototype (Product “70-01”) was carried out at the Ramenskoye airfield in December 1981 of the year. Product “70-01” was piloted by test pilot Boris Veremeev and his crew. The second copy (product "70-02") did not fly, it was used for static tests. Later, a second aircraft (product “70-03”) joined the tests. The supersonic missile carrier TU-160 was put into serial production in 1984 at the Kazan Aviation Plant. In October 1984, the first production aircraft took off, in March 1985 - the second production vehicle, in December 1985 - the third, in August 1986 - the fourth.
In 1992, Boris Yeltsin decided to suspend the ongoing serial production of the Tu 160 if the US stopped mass production of the B-2. by that time 35 aircraft had been produced. KAPO by 1994 KAPO transferred six bombers to the Russian Air Force. They were stationed in the Saratov region at the Engels airfield. The new missile carrier TU-160 (“Alexander Molodchiy”) became part of the Air Force in May 2000. The TU-160 complex was put into service in 2005. In April 2006, the completion of testing of the modernized NK-32 engines created for the TU-160 was announced. The new engines are characterized by increased reliability and significantly increased service life. In December 2007, the first flight of the new production aircraft TU-160 was carried out. Colonel General Alexander Zelin, commander in chief of the Air Force, announced in April 2008 that another Russian bomber would enter service with the Air Force in 2008. The new aircraft was named “Vitaly Kopylov”. It was planned that three more operational TU-160s would be modernized in 2008.
Design Features The White Swan aircraft was created with extensive use of proven solutions for aircraft already built at the design bureau: Tu-142MS, Tu-22M and Tu-144, and some components, assemblies and some systems were transferred to the aircraft without changes. "White Swan" has a design that makes extensive use of composites, stainless steel, aluminum alloys V-95 and AK-4, titanium alloys VT-6 and OT-4. The White Swan aircraft is an integral low-wing aircraft with a variable-sweep wing, an all-moving fin and stabilizer, and a tricycle landing gear. The wing mechanization includes double-slotted flaps, slats, and flaperons and spoilers are used for roll control. Four NK-32 engines are mounted in the lower part of the fuselage in pairs in engine nacelles. The TA-12 APU is used as an autonomous power unit. The airframe has an integrated circuit. Technologically, it consists of six main parts, starting from F-1 to F-6. In the unsealed nose section, a radar antenna is installed in a radio-transparent fairing; behind it there is an unsealed radio equipment compartment. The one-piece central part of the bomber, 47.368 m long, includes the fuselage, which includes the cockpit and two cargo compartments. Between them there is a fixed part of the wing and a caisson-compartment of the center section, the rear part of the fuselage and the engine nacelles. The cockpit consists of a single pressurized compartment, where, in addition to the crew’s workplaces, the aircraft’s electronic equipment is located.
The wing on a variable-sweep bomber. The wing has a minimum sweep of 57.7 m. The control system and rotary assembly are generally similar to the Tu-22M, but they have been recalculated and strengthened. The wing is of coffered structure, mainly made of aluminum alloys. The rotating part of the wing moves from 20 to 65 degrees along the leading edge. Three-section double-slit flaps are installed along the trailing edge, and four-section slats are installed along the leading edge. For roll control there are six-section spoilers, as well as flapperons. Internal cavity wings are used as fuel tanks. The aircraft has an automatic fly-by-wire onboard control system with redundant mechanical wiring and fourfold redundancy. The controls are dual, with handles installed rather than steering wheels. The aircraft is controlled in pitch using an all-moving stabilizer, in heading - by an all-moving fin, and in roll - by spoilers and flaperons. Navigation system – two-channel K-042K. The White Swan is one of the most comfortable combat aircraft. During the 14-hour flight, pilots have the opportunity to stand up and stretch. There is also a kitchen on board with a cupboard for heating food. There is also a toilet, which was not previously available on strategic bombers. It was around the bathroom during the transfer of the plane to the military that the real war: they did not want to accept the car, since the design of the bathroom was imperfect.
Armament of the Tu-160 Initially, the Tu-160 was built as a missile carrier - a carrier of cruise missiles with long-range nuclear warheads, designed to deliver massive attacks on areas. In the future, it was planned to expand and modernize the range of transportable ammunition, as evidenced by stencils on the doors of the cargo compartments with options for hanging a huge range of cargo. The TU-160 is armed with Kh-55SM strategic cruise missiles, which are used to destroy stationary targets having given coordinates; they are entered into the missile’s memory before the bomber takes off. The missiles are located six at a time on two MKU-6-5U drum launchers in the cargo compartments of the aircraft. The weaponry for short-range engagement may include hypersonic aeroballistic missiles Kh-15S (12 for each MKU).
After appropriate conversion, the bomber can be equipped with free-fall bombs of various calibers (up to 40,000 kg), including disposable cluster bombs, nuclear bombs, sea mines and other weapons. In the future, the bomber's armament is planned to be significantly strengthened through the use of high-precision cruise missiles. newest generation X-101 and X-555, which have an increased range and are also designed to destroy both tactical sea and ground targets, as well as strategic targets of almost all classes.
Immediately after the end of World War II, a radical redistribution of spheres of influence occurred in the world. In the 50s of the last century, two military blocs were formed: NATO and the Warsaw Pact countries, which in all subsequent years were in a state of constant confrontation. " Cold War", which unfolded at that time, could at any moment develop into open conflict, which would probably end in a nuclear war.
Decline of the industry
Of course, in such conditions an arms race could not help but begin, when none of the rivals could afford to fall behind. In the early 60s Soviet Union managed to take the lead in the field of strategic missile weapons, while the United States was clearly in the lead in the quantity and quality of aircraft. Military parity arose.
The arrival of Khrushchev further aggravated the situation. He was so keen on rocket technology that he killed many promising ideas in the field of cannon artillery and strategic bombers. Khrushchev believed that the USSR did not really need them. As a result, by the 70s a situation developed where we only had old T-95s and some other vehicles. These planes, even hypothetically, could not overcome developed system Air defense of a potential enemy.
Why are strategic missile carriers needed?
Of course, the presence of a powerful nuclear arsenal in the missile version was a sufficient guarantee of peace, but it was impossible to launch a warning strike or simply “hint” to the enemy about the undesirability of subsequent actions with its help.
The situation was so serious that the country's leadership finally realized the need to develop a new strategic bomber. This is how the story of the famous TU-160 began, the technical characteristics of which are described in this article.
Developers
Initially, all work was assigned to the Sukhoi Design Bureau and the Myasishchev Design Bureau. Why is the legendary Tupolev not on this short list? It's simple: the management of the enterprise was not happy with Khrushchev, who had already managed to ruin several promising projects. Accordingly, Nikita Sergeevich himself also did not treat the “willful” designer very well. In a word, the Tupolev Design Bureau turned out to be “out of business.”
By the beginning of the 70s of the last century, all competitors presented their projects. Sukhoi put the M-4 on display. The car was impressive, amazing with its characteristics. The only drawback was the cost: after all, an all-titanium case cannot be made cheap no matter how much you try. The Myasishchev Design Bureau presented its M-18. For unknown reasons, Tupolev’s bureau with “Project 70” got involved.
Winner of competition
As a result, they chose the Sukhoi option. Myasishchev’s project was somehow unsightly, and Tupolev’s design seemed like a slightly modified civilian aircraft. And how then did the characteristics appear whose characteristics still make a potential enemy tremble? This is where the fun begins.
Since the Sukhoi Design Bureau simply had no time to deal with a new project (the Su-27 was being created there), and the Myasishchev Design Bureau was removed for some reason (there are a lot of ambiguities here), the papers on the M-4 were handed over to Tupolev. But they also didn’t appreciate the titanium case and turned their attention to an outsider - the M-18 project. It was he who formed the basis of the design " white swan" By the way, the supersonic strategic missile-carrying bomber with a variable-sweep wing, according to NATO codification, has a completely different name - Blackjack.
Main technical characteristics
And yet, why is the TU-160 so famous? The technical characteristics of this aircraft are so amazing that even today the car does not look like an “antique” in any way. the slightest degree. We have provided all the main data in the table, so you can see for yourself.
Characteristic name | Meaning |
Full wingspan (at two points), meters | |
Fuselage length, meters | |
Fuselage height, meters | |
Total load-bearing area of the wings, square meters | |
Empty vehicle weight, tons | |
Fuel weight (full filling), tons | |
Total take-off weight, tons | |
Engine model | TRDDF NK-32 |
Maximum thrust value (afterburning/non-afterburning) | 4x137.2 kN/ 4x245 kN |
Speed ceiling, km/h | |
Landing speed, km/h | |
Maximum altitude, kilometers | |
Maximum flight range, kilometers | |
Range of action, kilometers | |
Required runway length, meters | |
Maximum mass of missile and bomb weapons, tons |
It is not surprising that the very appearance of the characteristics described in the article became a very unpleasant surprise for many Western powers. This aircraft (subject to refueling) will be able to “delight” almost any country with its appearance. By the way, some foreign publishing houses call the car D-160. Technical characteristics are good, but what exactly is the White Swan armed with? After all, it wasn’t created for pleasure walks?!
Information about missile and bomb weapons
The standard weight of weapons that can be placed in compartments inside the fuselage is 22,500 kilograms. IN exceptional cases it is allowed to increase these figures to 40 tons (this is the figure indicated in the table). The weapons include two launchers (launchers of the type that can contain continental and strategic missiles KR Kh-55 and Kh-55M. The other two drum launchers have 12 aeroballistic missiles Kh-15 (M = 5.0).
Thus, the tactical and technical characteristics of the TU-160 aircraft suggest that after modernization, these machines will be in service with our army for many more decades.
It is allowed to load missiles with nuclear and non-nuclear warheads, KAB of all kinds (up to KAB-1500). Conventional and nuclear bombs, as well as mines, can be mounted in bomb bays various types. Important! A Burlak launch vehicle can be installed under the fuselage, which is used to launch light satellites into orbit. Thus, the TU-160 aircraft is a real “flying fortress”, armed in such a way that it can destroy a couple of medium-sized countries in one flight.
Power point
Now let’s remember what distances it can overcome this car. In this regard, the question immediately arises about the engines, thanks to which the characteristics of the TU-160 are known throughout the world. The strategic bomber became a unique phenomenon in this regard, since the development of its power plant was carried out by a completely different design bureau, which was responsible for the design of the aircraft.
Initially, it was planned to use NK-25 as engines, almost completely identical to those that they wanted to install on the Tu-22MZ. Their traction performance characteristics were quite satisfactory, but something had to be done with fuel consumption, since one could not even dream of any intercontinental flights with such an “appetite.” How were the high technical characteristics of the TU-160 missile carrier achieved, thanks to which it is still considered one of the best combat vehicles in the world?
Where did the new engine come from?
Just at that time, the Design Bureau, headed by N.D. Kuznetsov, began designing a fundamentally new NK-32 (it was created on the basis of the already well-proven models HK-144, HK-144A). In contrast, the new power plant was supposed to consume significantly less fuel. In addition, it was planned that some of the important structural components would be taken from the NK-25 engine, which would reduce the cost of production.
Here it is necessary to especially note the fact that the plane itself is not cheap. Currently, the cost of one unit is estimated at 7.5 billion rubles. Accordingly, at the time when this promising car was just being created, it cost even more. That is why only 32 aircraft were built, and each of them had its own name, and not just a tail number.
Tupolev specialists immediately jumped at this opportunity, as it saved them from many problems that arose in many cases when trying to modify the engine from the old Tu-144. Thus, the situation was resolved to everyone’s benefit: the TU-160 aircraft received an excellent power plant, and the Kuznetsov Design Bureau received valuable experience. Tupolev himself received more time, which could have been spent on developing other important systems.
Fuselage base
Unlike many other structural parts, the White Swan wing came from the Tu-22M. Almost all parts are absolutely similar in design, the only difference is more powerful drives. Let's consider special cases that distinguish the TU-160 aircraft. The technical characteristics of the spars are unique in that they were assembled from seven monolithic panels at once, which were then hung on the nodes of the center section beam. Actually, the entire remaining fuselage was “built up” around this entire structure.
The central beam is made of pure titanium, since only this material can withstand the loads that a unique aircraft is subjected to during flight. By the way, for its production, the technology of electron beam welding in a neutral gas environment was specially developed, which is still an extremely complex and expensive process even without taking into account the titanium used.
Wings
Developing a wing with variable geometry for a vehicle of this size and weight turned out to be a very non-trivial task. The difficulties began with the fact that to create it it was necessary to radically change almost the entire production technology. State program, launched specifically for this purpose, was led by P.V. Dementyev.
In order for sufficient lift to be developed at any position of the wing, a rather ingenious design was used. The main element was the so-called “combs”. This was the name for the parts of the flaps that could be deflected, if necessary, helping the aircraft acquire full sweep. In addition, if the wing geometry changed, it was the “ridges” that formed smooth transitions between the fuselage elements, reducing air resistance.
So the TU-160 aircraft, whose tactical and technical characteristics continue to amaze to this day, largely owes its speed to these very details.
Tail stabilizers
As for the tail stabilizers, in the final version the designers decided to use a design with a two-section fin. The base is the lower, stationary part, to which the stabilizer is attached directly. The peculiarity of this design is that its top is made completely motionless. Why was this done? And in order to somehow mark out electric hydraulic boosters, as well as drives for deflectable parts of the tail unit, in an extremely limited space.
This is how the Tu-160 (Blackjack) appeared. The description and technical characteristics give a pretty good idea of this unique machine, which was actually several years ahead of its time. Today these aircraft are being modernized according to special program: Most of the outdated electronic equipment, navigation systems and weapons are being replaced. In addition, it increases
To escort two Russian Tu-160 bombers that were heading towards English airspace. The United Kingdom's Ministry of Defense later announced that Russian Aerospace Forces aircraft did not cross the country's border during the incident.
Tu-160 is the largest and most powerful in history military aviation supersonic aircraft with variable wing geometry. This aircraft can deliver up to 40,000 kg of bombs and cruise missiles to the east coast North America in just 5 hours.
After which the bomber can return back to its “home” airport with one in-flight refueling. At the same time, the flight for the crew will take place in the most comfortable conditions: on board there is a toilet, a kitchen with a cupboard for heating food, as well as a folding berth for rest.
See the AiF infographic.ru, which represents the legendary bomber.
Child of the arms race
In the 1960s, the USSR actively developed strategic missile weapons. The country has acquired the most advanced nuclear missile deterrence system, and in the field of strategic aviation, as a result of this “distortion,” a serious crisis has emerged. Subsonic bombers Tu-95 and M-4 by that time were completely unsuitable for a breakthrough air defense USA. As a result, the Soviet government issued a directive in 1967 as soon as possible to create a fundamentally new strategic aircraft that could compete with the supersonic B-1 Lancer being developed by the Americans.
Undercover battles
There is the following joke in aviation: “No one ever developed the White Swan, it somehow hatched on its own.” In fact, of course, the best Soviet engineers worked on the Tu-160 project, but this unique aircraft was created, indeed, under very strange circumstances.
The fact is that initially only specialists from the Sukhoi Design Bureau and the Myasishchev Design Bureau were assigned to work on the supersonic bomber project, and for some reason such a giant of design thought as the Tupolev Design Bureau remained on the sidelines. Some explain this choice by the heavy workload of this bureau at that time, others claim that the Soviet leadership simply did not really like Andrey Tupolev, who was always ready to very firmly defend his own opinion.
By the beginning of the 70s, the developers participating in the competition presented their projects. Sukhoi presented the T-4MS, which generally satisfied the stated characteristics, but was an overly expensive project - the body of the bomber was supposed to be made of titanium. Myasishchev presented the more budget M-18.
At that time, the M-18 seemed to win the competition, but the Myasishchev Design Bureau was not allowed to implement its project. Soviet government unexpectedly for the entire aircraft manufacturing industry, it decides to completely remove this bureau from participation in the creation of a supersonic aircraft. The reasons for this turn are still debated. It was only officially reported that the Myasishchev Design Bureau at that time did not have sufficient resources to implement such a large-scale project.
It would seem that now the development of a supersonic bomber should definitely have gone to the Sukhoi Design Bureau, but no. For some also not the most obvious reason, the authorities decided that the new aircraft should be built by the Tupolev Design Bureau, and Sukhoi specialists were advised to throw all their efforts into creating the Su-27 multi-role fighter.
As a result, all the papers on both the M-18 and T-4MS ended up in the Tupolev Design Bureau. Taking the Myasishchev Design Bureau project as a basis, the bureau created the legendary TU-160, which for its graceful appearance and the pilots nicknamed the “flapping” wings “White Swan”.Swept advantage
The wing of the Tu-160 has a variable sweep. The aircraft takes off and lands with its wings spread. Most of flight is usually carried out at a speed of 900 km/h with almost straight wings, and the bomber reaches “supersonic” speed having already folded them. This solution allows you to minimize aerodynamic drag and achieve the highest speed.
Yeltsin despite
Before the collapse of the USSR, 34 supersonic bombers were created, after the collapse on the territory of the newly formed Russian Federation only six Tu-160s remained. Most of the cars, 19 units, ended up in Ukraine.
Far strategic aviation absolutely did not fit into the defensive nuclear-free doctrine of Ukraine. Therefore, the young republic began to destroy bombers that were expensive to maintain. The liquidation took place using funds allocated by the Americans under the Nunn-Lugar program.
The Tu-160 was not treated much better in Russia at that time. The president Boris Yeltsin ordered to stop serial production of supersonic bombers. Yeltsin then spoke out in the spirit that after the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact organization, no one needed strategic aviation anymore.
The situation for the Tu-160 began to change in better side only in the late 90s. By that time, Ukraine, having spent about $2.5 million, had destroyed only two bombers. Another 9 cars were rendered unusable. In 1999, Ukraine, violating the agreements concluded with the Americans, arbitrarily stopped the process of liquidating the aircraft and transferred to Russia 8 serviceable Tu-160s to write off part of the debt for gas.
When collecting Tu-160 in all countries former USSR, 16 Tu-160 units were in service with the Russian Air Force. And since the mid-2000s, these machines no longer rust at airfields, but make regular flights. So, in 2006, the ex-commander of the Long-Range Aviation of the Russian Air Force Igor Khvorov reported that during the exercise, a group of Tu-160s entered US airspace for some time and went unnoticed.
In 2015, the Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu announced plans to resume serial production of the Tu-160, which is due to begin in 2023. The question of exactly how many new supersonic bombers the Russian Aerospace Forces need is still at the approval stage. It is only reported that the Tu-160 in the M2 version will combine the latest innovations in avionics, which will significantly increase the efficiency of the aircraft.
First baptism of fire
In 2015, the Tu-160, which had never previously participated in military conflicts, received its first combat use. Bombers from the Mediterranean and Caspian seas began to strike with Kh-555 and Kh-101 cruise missiles at the most important targets of the Islamic State terrorists in Syria.
As a result of a massive bomber attack, it was possible to destroy control points of illegal armed groups in the provinces of Idlib and Aleppo. Also, cruise missile strikes blew up ammunition depots, militant training camps and logistics points involved in the illegal export of oil to the countries of the Middle East.
Nunn-Lugar program- the unofficial name of the American Cooperative Threat Reduction Program ) , which was developed by Senators Samuel Nunn and Richard Lugar. This initiative has been implemented by the United States since December 12, 1991 in relation to Russia and the CIS countries. One of the main goals is the destruction “in the interests of security” of military equipment, as well as nuclear and other types of weapons of mass destruction.
The terrorist group “Islamic State” is banned in Russia.
The TU-160 strategic bomber, the so-called “White Swan” or Blackjack (baton) in NATO terminology, is a unique aircraft.
The TU-160 has excellent technical characteristics: it is the most formidable bomber that can also carry cruise missiles. This is the largest supersonic and graceful aircraft in the world. Developed in the 1970-1980s at the Tupolev Design Bureau and has a variable sweep wing. In service since 1987.
The TU-160 bomber became the “answer” to the US AMSA (Advanced Manned Strategic Aircraft) program, within which the notorious B-1 Lancer was created. The TU-160 missile carrier was significantly ahead of its main competitors Lancers in almost all characteristics. The speed of the Tu 160 is 1.5 times higher, the maximum flight range and combat radius are just as large. And the thrust of the engines is almost twice as powerful. At the same time, the “stealth” B-2 Spirit cannot stand any comparison, in which literally everything was sacrificed for the sake of stealth, including distance, flight stability and payload capacity. 
Quantity and cost of TU-160
Each TU-160 long-range missile carrier is a one-piece and rather expensive product; it has unique technical characteristics. Since their creation, only 35 of these aircraft have been built, with an order of magnitude fewer remaining intact. This aircraft is the only product that received its name. Each of the aircraft built has its own name; they were assigned in honor of champions (“Ivan Yarygin”), designers (“Vitaly Kopylov”), famous heroes (“Ilya Muromets”) and, of course, pilots (“Pavel Taran”, “Valery Chkalov " and others).
Before the collapse of the USSR, 34 aircraft were built, with 19 bombers remaining in Ukraine, at the base in Priluki. However, these vehicles were too expensive to operate, and they were simply not needed for the small Ukrainian army. Ukraine offered to give 19 TU-160s to Russia in exchange for Il-76 aircraft (1 to 2) or for writing off the gas debt. But for Russia this was unacceptable. In addition, Ukraine was influenced by the United States, which actually forced the destruction of 11 TU-160s. 8 aircraft were transferred to Russia for writing off the gas debt.
As of 2013, the Air Force had 16 Tu-160s. Russia had too few of these aircraft, but their construction would have cost a huge amount. Therefore, it was decided to modernize 10 bombers out of the existing 16 to the Tu-160M standard. Long-range aviation should receive 6 modernized TU-160s in 2015. However, in modern conditions, even the modernization of existing TU-160s cannot solve the assigned military tasks. Therefore, plans emerged to build new missile carriers.
In 2015, Kazan decided to consider the possibility of starting production of the new TU-160 at KAZ facilities. These plans were formed as a result of the current international situation. However, this is a difficult but solvable task. Some technologies and personnel were lost, but, nevertheless, the task is quite feasible, especially since there is a backlog of two unfinished aircraft. The cost of one missile carrier is about 250 million dollars.
History of the creation of TU-160
The design assignment was formulated back in 1967 by the USSR Council of Ministers. The design bureaus of Myasishchev and Sukhoi were involved in the work, and they proposed their own options a few years later. These were bombers capable of reaching supersonic speed and overcoming air defense systems at it. The Tupolev design bureau, which had experience in developing Tu-22 and Tu-95 bombers, as well as the Tu-144 supersonic aircraft, did not participate in the competition. In the end, the Myasishchev Design Bureau project was recognized as the winner, but the designers did not have time to celebrate the victory: after some time the government decided to close the project at the Myasishchev Design Bureau. All documentation on the M-18 was transferred to the Tupolev Design Bureau, which joined the competition with Izdeliye-70 (the future TU-160 aircraft).
The following requirements were imposed on the future bomber:
flight range at an altitude of 18,000 meters at a speed of 2300-2500 km/h within 13 thousand km;
flight range near the ground is 13 thousand km and at an altitude of 18 km in subsonic mode;
the aircraft must approach the target at subsonic cruising speed, overcome enemy air defenses - at cruising speed near the ground and in supersonic high-altitude mode.
the total mass of the combat load should be 45 tons.
The first flight of the prototype (Izdeliye "70-01") was carried out at the Ramenskoye airfield in December 1981. Product “70-01” was piloted by test pilot Boris Veremeev and his crew. The second copy (product "70-02") did not fly, it was used for static tests. Later, a second aircraft (product “70-03”) joined the tests. The supersonic missile carrier TU-160 was put into serial production in 1984 at the Kazan Aviation Plant. In October 1984, the first production aircraft took off, in March 1985 - the second production vehicle, in December 1985 - the third, in August 1986 - the fourth.
In 1992, Boris Yeltsin decided to suspend the ongoing serial production of the Tu-160 if the United States stopped serial production of the B-2. By that time, 35 aircraft had been produced. KAPO by 1994 KAPO transferred six bombers to the Russian Air Force. They were stationed in the Saratov region at the Engels airfield.
The new missile carrier TU-160 (“Alexander Molodchiy”) became part of the Air Force in May 2000. The TU-160 complex was put into service in 2005. In April 2006, the completion of testing of the modernized NK-32 engines created for the TU-160 was announced. The new engines are characterized by increased reliability and significantly increased service life. In December 2007, the first flight of the new production aircraft TU-160 was carried out. Colonel General Alexander Zelin, commander in chief of the Air Force, announced in April 2008 that another Russian bomber would enter service with the Air Force in 2008. The new aircraft was named “Vitaly Kopylov”. It was planned that three more operational TU-160s would be modernized in 2008.
Specifications
TU-160 has the following technical characteristics:Crew: 4 people.
The length is 54.1 m.
The wingspan is 55.7/50.7/35.6 m.
The height is 13.1 m.
The wing area is 232 m².
Weight empty plane is 110,000 kg.
Normal take-off weight is 267,600 kg.
The maximum take-off weight is 275,000 kg.
Engine type: 4×TRDDF NK-32.
The maximum thrust is 4×18,000 kgf.
The afterburner thrust is 4×25,000 kgf.
The fuel mass is 148,000 kg.
The maximum speed at altitude is 2230 km/h.
Cruising speed is 917 km/h.
The maximum range without refueling is 13,950 km.
The practical range without refueling is 12,300 km.
The combat radius is 6000 km.
Flight duration is 25 hours.
The service ceiling is 21,000 m.
The rate of climb is 4400 m/min.
The take-off/run length is 900/2000 m.
The wing load at normal take-off weight is 1150 kg/m².
The wing load at maximum take-off weight is 1185 kg/m².
The thrust-to-weight ratio at normal take-off weight is 0.36.
The thrust-to-weight ratio at maximum take-off weight is 0.37.
Design Features
The White Swan aircraft was created with extensive use of proven solutions for aircraft already built at the design bureau: Tu-142MS, Tu-22M and Tu-144, and some components, assemblies and some systems were transferred to the aircraft without changes. The “White Swan” has a design that widely uses composites, stainless steel, aluminum alloys V-95 and AK-4, titanium alloys VT-6 and OT-4. The “White Swan” aircraft is an integral low-wing aircraft with a variable-sweep wing, all-moving wings keel and stabilizer, tricycle landing gear. The wing mechanization includes double-slotted flaps, slats, and flaperons and spoilers are used for roll control. Four NK-32 engines are mounted in the lower part of the fuselage in pairs in engine nacelles. The TA-12 APU is used as an autonomous power unit. The glider has an integrated circuit. Technologically, it consists of six main parts, starting from F-1 to F-6. In the unsealed nose section, a radar antenna is installed in a radio-transparent fairing; behind it there is an unsealed radio equipment compartment. The one-piece central part of the bomber, 47.368 m long, includes the fuselage, which includes the cockpit and two cargo compartments. Between them there is a fixed part of the wing and a caisson-compartment of the center section, the rear part of the fuselage and the engine nacelles. The cockpit is a single pressurized compartment, where, in addition to the crew's work stations, the aircraft's electronic equipment is located. The wing on a variable-sweep bomber. The wing has a minimum sweep of 57.7 m. The control system and rotary assembly are generally similar to the Tu-22M, but they have been recalculated and strengthened. The wing is of coffered structure, mainly made of aluminum alloys. The rotating part of the wing moves from 20 to 65 degrees along the leading edge. Three-section double-slit flaps are installed along the trailing edge, and four-section slats are installed along the leading edge. For roll control there are six-section spoilers, as well as flapperons. The internal cavity of the wing is used as fuel tanks. The aircraft has an automatic fly-by-wire onboard control system with redundant mechanical wiring and fourfold redundancy. The controls are dual, with handles installed rather than steering wheels. The aircraft is controlled in pitch using an all-moving stabilizer, in heading - by an all-moving fin, and in roll - by spoilers and flaperons. The navigation system is a two-channel K-042K. “White Swan” is one of the most comfortable combat aircraft. During the 14-hour flight, pilots have the opportunity to stand up and stretch. There is also a kitchen on board with a cupboard for heating food. There is also a toilet, which was not previously available on strategic bombers. It was around the bathroom that a real war took place during the transfer of the plane to the military: they did not want to accept the car, since the design of the bathroom was imperfect.
Armament
Initially, the TU-160 was built as a missile carrier - a carrier of cruise missiles with long-range nuclear warheads, designed to deliver massive attacks on areas. In the future, it was planned to expand and modernize the range of transportable ammunition, as evidenced by stencils on the doors of the cargo compartments with options for hanging a huge range of cargo.
The TU-160 is armed with Kh-55SM strategic cruise missiles, which are used to destroy stationary targets having given coordinates; they are entered into the missile’s memory before the bomber takes off. The missiles are located six at a time on two MKU-6-5U drum launchers in the cargo compartments of the aircraft. The weaponry for short-range engagement may include hypersonic aeroballistic missiles Kh-15S (12 for each MKU).
After appropriate conversion, the bomber can be equipped with free-fall bombs of various calibers (up to 40,000 kg), including disposable cluster bombs, nuclear bombs, sea mines and other weapons. In the future, the bomber's armament is planned to be significantly strengthened through the use of high-precision cruise missiles of the latest generation X-101 and X-555, which have an increased range and are also designed to destroy both tactical sea and ground targets, as well as strategic targets of almost all classes.
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