Tu-160 (bomber)

Tu-160/NATO: BLACKJACK are modern Russian strategic bomber aircraft. Originally produced between 1980 to 1992, the production line is open again, and delivered a new aircraft in May 2000. 14 aircraft are now in service in Russia. Existing aircraft are undergoing major avionics upgrades and new cruise missile; the first upgraded aircraft was delivered in July 2006.

There are similarities between the Tu-160 and U.S. B-1 Lancer. Both are supersonic, with intercontinental range with air refueling. Both have variable-geometry wings, and, while not a stealthy design like the B-2 Spirit, present a smaller radar cross-section, especially in the engines, than older bombers such as the B-52 or Tu-95/NATO:BEAR. Note that the Tu-160, however, is considered, in arms control agreements, to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, but the B-1 and Tu-22M are not.

Weapons

The maximum payload is 80,000 pounds of bombs, missiles, and presumably penetration aids. It can carry missiles, not all of which may be in production, including:

• Kh-55MS/NATO: AS-15 KENT nuclear air launched cruise missile and Kh-555 conventionally armed version of the Kh-55
• Kh-101 stealth cruise missile with terminal electro-optical guidance and Kh-102 nuclear version
• Kh-15P/NATO: AS-16 Kickback
• Kh-SD, a subsonic. shorter-ranged version of the Kh-101, with land and sea seekers
• Kh-41 medium range supersonic sea-skimming anti-shipping missile, the air-launched version of the (NATO) SS-N-22

The KH-55 and Kh-55 are to the U.S. AGM-86 ALCM in nuclear and conventional versions, as the Kh-102 and Kh-101 is to the cancelled U.S. AGM-129 ACM stealthy cruise missile.