How Tu-160M ​​can help in the revival of the Naval Aviation of the Russian Navy

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By the end of 2021, the newest Russian supersonic strategic missile carrier Tu-160M ​​will pass flight tests. Unlike its counterparts in Long-Range Aviation, this is a "remake", an aircraft created from scratch according to a modernized project, with improved engines. The successful launch of the updated "White Swans" into the series opens up a lot of interesting opportunities for the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.


The Tu-160 was developed in the USSR as a response to the American strategic missile carrier Rockwell B-1 Lancer. Subsonic bombers Tu-95 and M-4 could not effectively overcome the NATO air defense system. The Soviet command needed a multi-mode aircraft capable of approaching the target at subsonic cruising speed, overcoming enemy air defenses at supersonic speed at high altitude or at cruising near the ground, shooting back and leaving swiftly. As a result of the work of our designers, a unique supersonic strategic missile carrier appeared, the fastest and most lifting of all those in service. The White Swan has set 46 world records. Tu-160 is an integral part of the Russian "nuclear triad" as part of Long-Range Aviation. Also, bombers successfully performed combat missions as part of the participation of the Russian Aerospace Forces in the Syrian campaign.

Yes, we really have something to be proud of. However, after the collapse of the USSR and all kinds of "optimizations", less than two dozen "White Swans" remained in the ranks. In 2015, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced the need to resume production of the Tu-160 in version M (modernized). The next year, 2016, at the Kazan Aircraft Building Plant, work began to restore the serial production of White Swans. It was announced that the Ministry of Defense will purchase a batch of 50 Tu-160M ​​bombers. At the same time, the existing missile carriers are also subject to deep modernization.

What changes and improvements will affect our "strategists"?

At first, this is a new power plant, the NK-32-02 turbojet engine. In 2016, Kuznetsov PJSC resumed the production of this power plant, carrying out work on its deep modernization. Thanks to this, the Tu-160M ​​will now be able to maintain a supersonic speed of about two Mach numbers for 45 minutes, and the combat radius has increased by 1 thousand kilometers. Last year, the Russian engine even received unexpected praise from the specialized American publication Aviation Week & Space Technology for its achievements in the field of global engine building:

The redesigned compressor and turbine blades, together with improved cooling, have increased the fuel efficiency of the turbojet by-pass engine, capable of operating in afterburner mode.

Not bad for a gas station country “incapable of designing an electric kettle,” as Western propagandists assure us.

SecondlyUnlike the original Tu-160, designed to deliver nuclear strikes, modern aircraft are truly multifunctional, as has been demonstrated in Syria. "White Swans" can carry long and medium-range cruise missiles, including those without a nuclear warhead, as well as free-falling aerial bombs, which allows them to be used as Moscow's "distant hand" in conventional medium-intensity conflicts.

Thirdly, Tu-160M ​​received modern avionics, the latest digital control systems, a convenient sighting and navigation device. The size of the plane allows pilots to even walk on it to stretch their legs on a long flight, heat food in the microwave, etc.

Thus, the revived "White Swan" will significantly expand the capabilities of the RF Ministry of Defense in the field of "nuclear deterrence", as well as the use of long-range aviation in non-nuclear armed conflicts. It is very pleasing that the military will eventually receive 50 such bombers that are unique in terms of tactical and technical characteristics, since this will make it possible to rotate between Long-Range and Naval Aviation.

A while ago we complained about the systemic problems faced by the Naval Aviation of the Russian Navy, which is in a real crisis: this is the shortage of aircraft, and the obsolescence of the aircraft fleet, which is a huge problem in relation to anti-submarine aviation, etc. It should be noted that in 2011 the Russian Navy's naval missile-carrying aviation was generally eliminated as a class. This is exactly the one that was supposed to fight the enemy's AUG due to the lack of its own aircraft carriers. So, it has not existed for 10 years already, and all of its Tu-22M supersonic missile-carrying bombers were transferred to the Long-Range Aviation.

Good news lies in the fact that in the very near future Long-Range Aviation will begin to replenish with brand new strategic bombers Tu-160M. This will free up the Tu-22M and revive the Naval Missile Aviation, the need for which is beyond the slightest doubt. In addition, it might be advisable to strengthen the MPA with a dozen White Swans. One Tu-160M ​​is capable of receiving up to 3 hypersonic Dagger missiles. Provided that it is accompanied by MiG-31 supersonic fighters, having received reliable data for target designation, a strategic missile carrier approaching the target with afterburner will turn into a real thunderstorm for the US Navy AUG.
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  1. gunnerminer Offline gunnerminer
    gunnerminer (gunner miner) 1 December 2021 18: 15
    -5
    It was announced that the Ministry of Defense will purchase a batch of 50 Tu-160M ​​bombers. At the same time, the existing missile carriers are also subject to deep modernization.

    Plans were cut off to 20 machines. Then to 10. Probably they will pull out 5, maybe zero. The wing swivel mechanism and a titanium beam make the structure heavier. Supersonic is not needed. Because it eats up fuel in 12 minutes. The plane is huge. It is easy to track from NATO airfields, capable of receiving less than fingers, and it is expensive and expensive to prepare this flying barn for flights. Technicians in the amount of up to 2 platoons, fuel nitriding and 48 hours of work are required. The fuselage and planes are metal. They are modernizing, because the PAK YES is in the distant fog. The concept is outdated. Tu-95MS is what you need. But they are not released, neither are the engines. The United States has successfully assembled the B-52. It will serve for another 40 years. They even adapted it for sea mine laying.

    The good news is that in the very near future, Long-Range Aviation will begin to replenish with brand new Tu-160M ​​strategic bombers. This will free up the Tu-22M and revive the Naval Missile Aviation, the need for which does not cause the slightest doubt.

    These two aircraft are not replacements for each other. The Tu-22M3 will not fulfill the tasks of the Tu-160M. The Tu-160M ​​is redundant for the tasks of the Tu-22M3. Due to the scanty number of these aircraft, and the lack of operational support for SSBNs, the triad has become a monad. In 20 years ... The FAB crew of the Tu-160M ​​can only use the FAB for a deep alteration of the ammunition compartments. Kuchma offered the Kremlin to buy out the Tu-160 that Ukraine had inherited, but the Kremlin bargained right up to the Zugunder. Now there would be more cars for modernization. We will see what kind of electronics there will be. We were not strong in it, and even more so now.

    Not bad for a gas station country “incapable of designing an electric kettle,” as Western propagandists assure us.

    Unsupported bravado. Vladimir Vladimirovich asked at the Kazan plant from the TU-160 to make a civilian passenger version of the TU-160. For export as a business aircraft business class. Now it looks ridiculous. He did not know that about 800 enterprises were working on the creation of these machines in the USSR, and some of them had ceased to exist by 2021. The Dagger complex for naval aviation is so-so. More psychological effect. Cannot be used on mobile targets.
    1. Alex777 Offline Alex777
      Alex777 (Alexander) 2 December 2021 09: 52
      +2
      On bmpd you seem to have been banned?
    2. ocean969 Offline ocean969
      ocean969 (Leonid) 2 December 2021 12: 26
      +2
      Comrades Bandera, envy, in silence.
      1. gunnerminer Offline gunnerminer
        gunnerminer (gunner miner) 3 December 2021 00: 12
        -1
        Bandera is like the Mother of God eight-handed. From under each bed they harm.
  2. gunnerminer Offline gunnerminer
    gunnerminer (gunner miner) 1 December 2021 18: 34
    -4
    Provided that it is accompanied by MiG-31 supersonic fighters, having received reliable data for target designation, a strategic missile carrier approaching the target with afterburner will turn into a real thunderstorm for the US Navy AUG.

    The MiG-31BM is an interceptor, not a fighter. It is not suitable for escorting, all the more so with such a miserable old Zalonov radar. Its turning radius is about the same as that of the well-deserved reconnaissance officer SR-71.
    To effectively attack AUG, you first need to destroy AWACS. Accompanying AUG. During the operational period, the AUG will not be formed, an AMC (aviation multipurpose unit) will be formed, which will include 2 or 3 aircraft carriers with AWACS, not counting AWACS aircraft from an aircraft carrier. Without the destruction of AWACS, it makes no sense to attack the AUG. Nuclear weapons of the attacking missiles are intended not to attack escort ships, but to damage antennas and radars, AWACS, antennas of electronic warfare equipment. To blind the command post of ships. Otherwise, AWACS operators will be able to quickly redistribute the targets of the attacking anti-ship missiles, and direct the crews of their fighters to the anti-ship missiles.

    According to TR PL and TR NK, TR MA of the Russian Navy, the minimum order of forces for attacking the AMS is two Tu-22M3M divisions, a Su-30SM fighter regiment, a Su-30SM demonstration regiment, a Project 949A SSGN division, a Project 971B MAPL division, an RKR division, two TARKR.TARKR according to TR NK are used by the squad. While the crew of one TARK uses the main ammunition, the crew of the other provides the air defense and anti-aircraft defense of the detachment. According to the same documents, the attackers will obviously be in a losing position, since there are no aircraft carriers in the KTOF and KSF. And only the highest the level of crews, operational training of headquarters and command of formations will give a chance to inflict unacceptable damage to the AMS.
    The aforementioned forces are absent at KSF and KTOF, and will not appear in the foreseeable future.
  3. oderih Offline oderih
    oderih (Alex) 2 December 2021 23: 17
    0
    Pan "miner" is trying to surpass Arestovich himself.
  4. Bitter Offline Bitter
    Bitter 23 December 2021 12: 19
    0
    ... help in the revival ...

    Why in revival? It's not clear at all, maybe - in the creation?
    The Bolsheviks who came to power in their time, created the army, the national economy, and so on according to the list. Those who came to power ... "insert the necessary", cut everything up, sold it out and stole the rest. The new gentlemen, the capitalists, seem to have been unable to create anything on their own and are now trying to "revive" what they have been crushing and breaking for years with their own hands. Fine.
  5. Barey Offline Barey
    Barey (Barey) 29 December 2021 21: 53
    0
    I live 12 km from the Gorbunov plant in Kazan. And judging by the sounds, 160 is already jogging down the runway.
    I will explain why I think so.
    There are 3 products in Kazan.
    1. Tu-214. To the Ministry of Defense. The PS-90 engine is so-so, but still pulls. The latter kind of became Doomsday # 2. When he jogs, they don't even hear him in Derbyshki. When it takes off, well, you cannot distinguish it from the general background during the day.
    2. We made all modifications of the Tu-22M. Now they don't do it, they just modify it. Again, checking the engine on a run during the day is definitely not audible, at night only when it gets up with its back to the city, when changing lanes. When the day takes off / sits down audible.
    3. Tu-160M. When this monster starts to take off, even in the daytime, in the noisiest time, an alarm goes off in a car on my street. The soundtrack can also be traced in the city center near our Kremlin. Well, at night, I cannot confuse this sound of warming up engines with anything.
    22 and 160 were forbidden to take off at night, just because of the noise. So what was noisy from the factory last night was definitely warming up and jogging along the VP 160th. When he said goodbye to us with nozzles, even in the house outside the windows could be heard.
    And so for the seed. New Carcasses, with a new body, are given a new identification - Tu-160M2.