TUPOLEV
| Manufacturer | PWR | Max TD | Max TR | WS | FL | Max RF | Max Kts/Mach | Max OC | C | Max WLE | CR max PNR |
| Tu-142M Bear F Bomber/interdictor | 11033kW | 50.0 | 49.1 | 8,285 | 499kt | 39,370 | 7 | 6400 | |||
| 4 x Kuznetsov NK 12MV Turboprop | |||||||||||
| Tu-160 Blackjack Bomber/interdictor | 137.3kN | 245.2kN | 35.6 | 54.1 | 12,300 | M 2.05 | 49,200 | 4 | 40000 | 2000 | |
| 4 x Samara Trud NK-321 Turbofan | |||||||||||
| Uunrefuelled range is 12,300km | |||||||||||
| Tu-22M-3 Backfire Bomber/interdictor | 245.2kN | 23.3 | 42.6 | 12,000 | M 1.88 | 43,635 | 2 | 24000 | 2410 | ||
| 2 x Kuznetsov NK 25 Turbofan |
Abbreviations: PWR-Power, Max TD-Thrust dry, Max TR-Thrust re-heat, WS-Wingspan, FL-Fuselage length, Max RF-Max range (km), H-Hardpoints, Max OC-Max Operating Ceiling, Max Pay.-Max Payload, C-Crew, P-Pax, Max WLE-Max Load External (warload) (kg), E-Endurance, CR Max PNR-Combat Radius Max Payload No-Refuel.
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Tu-95/142
The Bear remains in service with the Russian armed forces as both a long-range strike aircraft and a maritime-patrol and reconnaissance platform, some 45 years after the first prototype flew. The Tu-95MS/MS16/MS6 remain a key component of the air force's long range aviation units. The aircraft are equipped with the Kh-55 (AS-15 Kent) air-launched cruise missile. The Bear is intended to be equipped with two Raduga conventional cruise-missile types now in the final stages of development, the Kh-101 and the Kh-SD. The Tu-142 ASW aircraft first flew in 1968 and continues to be deployed with naval aviation units. The Tu-142MR is a dedicated submarine communications variant of the four-turboprop aircraft.
Tu-22M
Alongside the Bear, the Tu-22M will continue to form the backbone of Russia's long-range strike capability beyond 2010. The latest variant of the Tu-22, the Tu-22M3 entered service with both the air force and naval aviation units in the early to mid-1980s.
As with the Bear, the Tu-22M is also earmarked to carry the Kh-SD and Kh-101 cruise missiles. Tupolev is also working on an avionics and systems upgrade for the aircraft, although funding for this project is likely to be problematic. A further modification, the Tu-22MR has been seen at the Ahktubinsk test centre.
The aircraft carries a semi-recessed pod located in the bomb bay and has a large dielectric fairing at the root of the vertical fin along with dielectric fairings on the fuselage.
Tu-160
The future of the Tu-160 Blackjack as part of the air force's long range strike force remains in question. Only a token force of five aircraft is operational, and there is pressure from the Russian defence hierarchy to withdraw the aircraft from service. The Tu-160 flew for the first time in 1981, and was intended to provide the air force with a long-range supersonic strike aircraft. Production has amounted to no more than around 40-50 in total, including pre-production and prototype aircraft. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, up to 19 Blackjacks were left in Ukraine.
Source: Flight International
