The Russian Ministry of Defense received the first Tu-160 bomber modernized by a subsidiary of Tupolev, the same aircraft manufacturer. The new denomination of the bomber is the Tu-160M2, and Russia plans to mass produce this plane from 2023, after modernizing the current ones, creating the PAK DA version.
According to the Russian Air Force, the bomber was completely modernized to suit the country's new defense needs, a complete overhaul is also carried out on the bomber that was already flying, preventing it from returning to the Air Force fleet with low operational capacity and reliability.
There are new electronic navigation equipment, non-existent in the previous version of the Tu-160, in addition to new weapons and on-board systems.
“The aviation complexes, handed over to Tupolev for modernization, have successfully carried out all the necessary work, including operational and acceptance flight tests. The fighters are ready to be sent to their bases,” said Tupolev general director Aleksandr Konukhov, quoted by Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
This upgrade also follows the delivery of two Tupolev-upgraded Tu-95MS planes to the Russian Air Force, as well as a Tu-22M3 bomber, delivered in July.
Capable of carrying 12 large missiles and a few more bombs on board, the Tu-160 is a supersonic aircraft measuring 54,1 meters in length and 13,1 meters in height. It needs 4 crew and flies non-stop for up to 14000 kilometers. Its great highlight is the variable geometry wing according to the speed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akVeZcha5UA
