Russia’s top military brass plans to arm Tupolev Tu-160 supersonic strategic bombers with Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, a source in the defense industry told TASS on Monday. “The possibility of deploying Kinzhal missiles on Tu-160 aircraft is being considered. The work on this option is due to be completed this year,” the source said. The source […]

DefenceTalkThe serial production of the upgraded Tupolev Tu-160M2 (NATO reporting name: Blackjack) strategic bomber will begin in 2020, a source in Russia’s defense and industrial sector told TASS. There are plans to produce two or three Tu-160M2 planes annually, the source added. “Work to manufacture the plane has begun. Under the contract signed between the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-to-launch-serial-production-of-upgraded-tu-160m2-strategic-bomber-69726/

DefenceTalkThe upgrade of the Tu-160 (NATO reporting name: Blackjack) strategic bomber fleet to Tu-160M2 standard is ahead of schedule, expert Vladimir Tuchkov writes in an article on the Svobodnaya Pressa news portal. Russian Aerospace Force Commander-in-Chief Colonel General Victor Bondarev has said the maiden flight of the Tu-160M2 is slated for 2018. He mentioned a […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russian-tu-160m2-strategic-bomber-being-upgraded-ahead-of-schedule-68250/

DefenceTalkThe principle of integrated modular avionics, in which each aircraft system can perform various functions, will be implemented in a modernized version of Russia’s Tu-160 strategic bomber. A modified version of Russia’s Tu-160 strategic bomber will be equipped with integrated modular avionics, in which each aircraft system will perform various functions to substitute for another […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russias-tu-160-bomber-to-be-equipped-with-advanced-avionics-65260/

DefenceTalkThe Russian Defense Ministry will purchase no less than 50 new Tu-160 (Blackjack) heavy strategic bombers when production is renewed, Russian Air Force Commander Col. Gen. Viktor Bondarev said Thursday. “No less than 50 aircraft over time will be purchased in order to cover the costs that will go into production,” Col. Gen. Bondarev said […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russian-air-force-to-get-at-least-50-new-tu-160-bombers-64356/

DefenceTalkA major overhaul of Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bombers will be completed in 2019, Boris Naishuler, the director of the Gorbunov Kazan Aviation Production Association’s design center, which upgrades the aircraft, said Tuesday. “The first stage of modernization has been completed; the second stage connected with replacement of nearly all onboard radio electronic equipment on existing […]https://www.defencetalk.com/major-overhaul-of-russias-tu-160-strategic-bomber-to-be-completed-in-2019-64328/