Tu-95 strategic bomber

The Tu-95 "Bear" strategic bomber is a long-range strategic bomber developed by the former Soviet Union's Tupolev Aircraft Design Bureau. Development began in 1951, and the first prototype flew for the first time in 1954. The mass production model began to be delivered in 1956. More than 300 early models were produced. In addition to being used as strategic bombers, they were also used to perform electronic reconnaissance, photographic reconnaissance, maritime patrol anti-submarine and communication relay tasks. In the mid-1980s, production of the Tu-95 bomber began again, mainly producing the Tu-95MC bomber that can carry cruise missiles and the Tu-142M3, a maritime reconnaissance/anti-submarine aircraft modified from the Tu-95.

Main data

Dimensions: Crew: 7 (2 pilots, 1 tail gunner, 4 other personnel) Total length: 49.5m Wingspan: 51.1m Overall height: 12.12m Wing area: 310 m? Empty weight: 90000kg Weight load: Maximum take-off weight: 188000kg Maximum fuel load: 84000kg (internal) Maximum external weapons load: 25000kg Power plant: 4 Kuznetsov NK- 12MV type.

Turboprop engine airborne equipment: PБП-4 bombing sighting radar optical sight (OПБ-11P) APК-11 radio compass weapon equipment: 1 magazine with rotating pylon, 4 Each underwing pylon weapon includes: Radar-controlled cannon: 1 AM-23 23mm cannon Bomb: FAB-250 or FAB-500 type bomb Missile: Kh-15 "Carbine" A-type supersonic Kh-20 "Kangaroo" Cruise missile Kh-22 "Kitchen" large liquid hydrazine fuel long-range anti-ship missile Kh-55 subsonic cruise missile.

Research and development history

The Tu-95 was officially approved by the Soviet Council of Ministers in July 1951 under the code name "Project 95", and development began. In November 1951, it was completed at full scale. Physical model, the "95-1" prototype equipped with a 2TV-2F engine flew for the first time in November 1952, and the "95-2" prototype equipped with a TV-12 engine took off for the first time in February 1955. In the summer of the same year, the project was Officially named Tu-95 and approved to participate in the 1956 Tushino Air Show. From August 1956 to February 1957, all production Tu-95s were equipped with NK-12M engines, and the improved model was named Tu-95M. The total production of various types of Tu-95 is estimated to be about 300 aircraft, and production has now been discontinued.

Equipment situation

At present, about 300 Tu-95 strategic bombers have been produced, mainly equipped with the Russian Air Force. As of 2006, the Russian Air Force is mainly equipped with the Tu-95MS, quantity For 64 aircraft. Its anti-submarine version, the Tu-142, has been exported to India eight times.