Why did the White Swan Tu-160M2 become a nightmare for NATO?

Military expert Dave Majumdar of National Interest Magazine said Russia had chosen a method to develop strategic Air Force reasonably at a reasonable cost, focusing on modernizing war bombers. Tu-160M2 comb.

Military expert Dave Majumdar wrote in the National Interest Journal that the new Tu-160M2 aircraft, dubbed the "white swan ", will be equipped with advanced engines to increase the maximum range to 1000km.

Tu-160M2 strategic bomber.

As the Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov explained, all Tu-160 strategic bombers are planned to install the second-generation NK-32 turbojet engine.

In addition, the Russian Ministry of Defense promised to upgrade all of the electronic radio equipment of Tu-160M2. And equipped with new long-range missiles. This is an especially important part of the strategic air modernization program, taking into account the "White Swan" TU-160 , first of all, equipped with cruise missiles, the article's author said.

"Unlike American B-2 Spirit or B-21 Rider bombers, Russian fighter planes are designed to destroy targets inside the dense area of ​​air defense systems with long-range missiles. Therefore, Tu-160M2 will be equipped with new generation cruise missiles , " the article stressed.

According to the expert, the Tu-160M2 upgrade and modernization program - the program is more economically and technically feasible than the development of supersonic bombers.

'Russia is building a strategic PAK DA bomber (conducted since 2009), however, the Tu-160M2 in the medium term is enough, " Mr. Majumdar concluded.

Tu-160 - the largest wing-wing penguin, one of the most powerful war machines in the world.

Tu-160M2 will be equipped with new generation cruise missiles.

The Tu-160 is a supersonic, long-range strategic bomber, armed with missiles ; Designed to destroy nuclear and conventional weapons, targets in remote military areas and in enemy tactical depths.

The Tu-160 was designed and developed by designer Valentin Bliznyuk, made the first flight on December 18, 1981, equipped with the Soviet Air Force in 1987.

Tu-160 has a maximum speed of 2000km / h, a practical range - 12,300km, an actual flying ceiling - 21,000m, a crew of 4 people.

Equip weapons: 12 cruise missiles, or 40 tons of bombs. Flight time up to 15 hours (no refueling required). Currently, the Russian Air Force owns at least 15 Tu-160s. It is expected that by 2020, the Russian Air Force will be equipped with 10 more Tu-160M ​​(upgraded version of Tu-160).