Tu-160M2 Blackjack
Type: Strategic Bomber
Domain: air
Country of Origin: Russia
Manufacturer: Tupolev
First Deployed: 2022
Overview
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.
Technical Specifications
| Crew | 4 |
|---|---|
| Type | Strategic Supersonic Bomber |
| Length | 54.1 m |
| Engines | 4x NK-32-02 turbofan (245 kN AB each) |
| Armament | 2x internal bays; Kh-101, Kh-102 (nuclear), Kh-55SM; up to 40,000 kg |
| Wingspan | 55.7 m (swept) / 35.6 m (unswept) |
| Max Speed | Mach 2.05 (2,220 km/h) |
| Combat Radius | 6,000 km |
| Service Ceiling | 15,000 m |
Operators
- Russia
Related air Weapon Systems
- JF-17 Thunder - Multirole Fighter (Pakistan)
- F-16 Viper Block 70/72 - Multirole Fighter (United States)
- Bayraktar TB3 - Combat UAV (UCAV) (Türkiye)
- EDGE Reach-S MALE UCAV - Combat UAV (UCAV) (UAE)
- F-15IDN - Multirole Fighter (United States)
- Cessna 208B Grand Caravan ISR - Reconnaissance Aircraft (United States)
- MQ-9B SeaGuardian - Combat UAV (UCAV) (United States)
- AS332 Super Puma - Attack Helicopter (France)
- Toufan / Saba / Shahed-285 Helicopter Family - Attack Helicopter (Iran)
- J-20B Mighty Dragon - Multirole Fighter (China)