The Tu-160M2 Blackjack is Russia's most capable strategic bomber and the world's largest and fastest, powered by four NK-32-02 afterburning turbofans enabling Mach 2.05 at altitude. Twelve Kh-101 (conventional, 5,500 km range) or Kh-102 (nuclear) cruise missiles are carried in two internal rotary launchers, with six missiles each. Range exceeds 12,000 km unrefuelled. The M2 modernisation includes a new glass cockpit, modern avionics, NK-32-02 engines with improved fuel efficiency, and compatibility with newer weapons. A new-build production line was restarted at KAPO Kazan; deliveries of new-build M2 aircraft began 2022. Total fleet remains approximately 16 aircraft.
- Worlds largest and heaviest combat aircraft — unmatched payload capacity
- NK-32-02 engines provide Mach 2+ performance for penetrating defense
- Kh-101 cruise missile at 5,500 km range allows launch from Russian territory
- Kh-102 nuclear variant provides strategic deterrence mission
- M2 upgrade modernizes avionics and adds NK-32-02 second-generation engines
- Production restarted but only ~16 M2 aircraft planned — very small force
- Enormous radar cross-section despite speed — no stealth features
- B-21 Raider era makes non-stealthy bombers increasingly vulnerable
- Crew of 4 and complex aircraft demands extensive training pipeline
- Extremely expensive to operate — fuel consumption at Mach 2 is enormous
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