Tu-160 "White Swan"

Flights of Tu-160 strategic bombers in the Saratov region

Either that snow is too dark or that paintjob is too bright

The first modernized Tu-160M ​​bomber arrived in Zhukovsky

The first Tu-160M prototype was converted from a combat bomber with the serial number 4-05 and the name "Igor Sikorsky", which previously had the tail number "14" and the registration number RF-94103.





https://bmpd.livejournal.com/4272604.html

I came across an article that talks about the TU-160 M2 that will enter service in 2023.

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/russias-tu-160-bomber-cruise-missile-carrier-179264

Can we assume these will be the new build frames? They will allegedly have a stealth coating as well as some SU-57 avionics features.

Stealth coating no, messes with nuclear signaling

Avionics will be classified but whichever it gets it will be brand spanking new

Why would a stealth coating interfere with nuclear signalling? How do they handle that on the B2?

Yes the plane has some RCS reduction measures, as almost every plane nowadays

I read the first new built plane would be delivered this year (the first modified one has just finished factory tests) and then state tests until 2023 seems about right, probably you can find the news confirming or denying that in this thread or in bastion karpenko

LMFS wrote:Yes the plane has some RCS reduction measures, as almost every plane nowadays

I read the first new built plane would be delivered this year (the first modified one has just finished factory tests) and then state tests until 2023 seems about right, probably you can find the news confirming or denying that in this thread or in bastion karpenko

Wow if they can deliver the first new build frame this year I will be super impressed. I cannot wait to see what tweaks they have done on the magnificent old girl.

Is that the regular or M version?

Great info at Red Samovar about the Tu-160:

In addition, Russia has launched a call for tenders for the acquisition of 40 NK-32 ser.02 reactors by 2023. Given the pace of work at KAPO (Kazan): it will therefore be a question of equipping both new and modernized devices.

https://twitter.com/Strike_Flanker/status/1369788462690226181

https://redsamovar.com/2020/02/16/actu-le-tupolev-tu-160m/

Isos wrote:That's enough only for 10 aicraft. Even less if they plane to keep some as spare parts.

To produce 40 engines and re-engine and/or assemble 10 planes in 2-3 years does not look bad to me at all...

Isos wrote:If there is other orders after that yes.

There needs to be, since they have contracts for 10 modified Tu-160 + 10 newly built, the supposed final numbers of Tu-160 would be around 50 units, if disclosed plans are not changed.

LMFS wrote:Is that the regular or M version?

Don´t know. Either it´s a new build one or the last phase of the upgrade of an "old" bird.

Hole wrote:

LMFS wrote:Is that the regular or M version?

Don´t know. Either it´s a new build one or the last phase of the upgrade of an "old" bird.

Seems to be an upgraded aircraft, the first new build Tu-160M2 should be released from KAPO at the end of the year.

And about the 40 NK-32 ser.02, as I've written in the Tweet quoted above: it will be for a mix of new build planes and modernised one. Ten new build Tu-160M2 have been ordered so far and they should be built by 2030, so a rate of 1,xx new build aircraft produced each year needing 4 NK-32 ser.02.

As the state contract for powerplants runs until 2023: it means that 4 engines have already been used up by the Tu-160M B/n 14 Red which have been delivered recently, 4 engines will be used by the first new build Tu-160M2 which will be delivered this year, we might expect one new build Tu-160M2 in 2022 and one new build Tu-160M2 in 2023 so 8 extra engines needed.

Basic maths: we got 4+4+4+4 = 16 engines. Remains 24 engines (so 6 aircrafts) until 2023, so quite a ramp up with the works on the Tu-160 modernisation to the "final standard".

#My2Cent

It does not make sense to produce these at a paltry 1 frame per year. Russia has said it plans to DOUBLE the TU 160 fleet by 2027 so that means 3 planes a year once production is underway. The 40 engines will be for the TU-160M upgrades as well as TU-160M2 new builds, I wonder if they will also be proceeding with these engines for the TU-22M3M. It makes complete sense. Integrating the NK-32 into the TU-22 is much less work then restarting producton of the NK-25. That said I am not sure is there are any major barriers to fitting this engine in the TU-22

They are investing time and money upgrading the engines of the Tu-160 so it just makes sense to adapt the Tu-22M3 to use them too as they are essentially two different engines doing the same thing.

For sure, and the extra 10K thrust and lower fuel consumption of the upgraded engine will be a bonus. They probably have lots of spare engines though. Wiki lists 497 units of TU22M built, that is pretty insane. Its probably the same sitution as the MIG-31, apparently the have lots of MIG-31 in storage with only a few hundered hours. on the airframe.

I'm just still in disbelief that we're actually building new frames. I remember the internet back in 2007 when all we had was shitty youtube compilations set to heavy metal music and the one SU-47 prototype.
And I pick specifically 2007 because it was the last year before shit started hitting the fan again with the olympic war.
Now we're debating how quickly we need to build new bombers or if we're planning to open more bases abroad after Sudan.

Maximmmm wrote:I'm just still in disbelief that we're actually building new frames. I remember the internet back in 2007 when all we had was shitty youtube compilations set to heavy metal music and the one SU-47 prototype.
And I pick specifically 2007 because it was the last year before shit started hitting the fan again with the olympic war.

Olympic war, I like it, perfect description for several of them

And yeah, that boot up the ass is what saved your collective assess

As for bombers if it ain't broke build more

Maximmmm wrote:Now we're debating how quickly we need to build new bombers or if we're planning to open more bases abroad after Sudan.

One and only new base you need is on West Coast of Africa

You score that golden goose and you are set for century at least

PapaDragon wrote:

Maximmmm wrote:Now we're debating how quickly we need to build new bombers or if we're planning to open more bases abroad after Sudan.

One and only new base you need is on West Coast of Africa

You score that golden goose and you are set for century at least

That's a good one actually, I like the idea.

PapaDragon wrote:

One and only new base you need is on West Coast of Africa

You score that golden goose and you are set for century at least

Which country? The French and the Brits seem to have West Africa locked down.

mnztr wrote:It does not make sense to produce these at a paltry 1 frame per year. Russia has said it plans to DOUBLE the TU 160 fleet by 2027 so that means 3 planes a year once production is underway. The 40 engines will be for the TU-160M upgrades as well as TU-160M2 new builds, I wonder if they will also be proceeding with these engines for the TU-22M3M. It makes complete sense. Integrating the NK-32 into the TU-22 is much less work then restarting producton of the NK-25. That said I am not sure is there are any major barriers to fitting this engine in the TU-22

Order for 10 new build Tu-160M2 signed in 2018 and running up to 2027... so a bit more than 1 aircraft a year for the time being. KAPO is already overstretched to the limits, lacking trained workers for the projects ongoing there (Tu-22M3M, Tu-160M, Tu-160M2, Izd.80, Tu-214 conversions) so before ramping up production: they need to train their personnel, finishing the factory overhaul and have more than 10 aircrafts on order.

And stop dreaming about the NK-32 on the Tu-22M3, basically it means redesigning the frames where the engines are fitted to the aircraft and this is not what Russia is working on: you should read this book about the differences between Tu-22M3 and Tu-22M4 (Izd.4510).



On the other hand, Russia have launched a number of official tenders for NK-25 refurbishment/modernisation (with new FADEC coming from NK-32 ser.02) these ones being available here: Zakupki so the Tu-22M3M will fly with the NK-25 for the foreseeable future