In 2020, the aviation strategic nuclear forces of Russia were replenished with five upgraded Tu-95MS missile carriers. This was announced on Monday at the Board of the Ministry of defense of the Russian Federation by the head of the Department Sergey Shoigu.
Earlier, the defense Minister said that the upgraded missile carrier will be significantly updated on-Board equipment, power plant and weapons composition. This, according to Shoigu, will increase the combat effectiveness of the aircraft and extend its service life.
In General, the Tu-95 MS has long been registered in the Russian and world skies. For its impressive size - the wingspan of the Tupolev is more than 50 meters - and powerful weapons in the West, it is called Bear - "bear". The Tu-95MS, which is the backbone of Russia's strategic aviation, is a carrier of x-55 cruise missiles. In the Tu-95MS6 modification, six such missiles are placed in the cargo compartment on a multi-position drum-type launcher. In the Tu-95MS16 modification, in addition to the internal fuselage launcher, ten more X-55 missiles are suspended on four underwing holders (but this is prohibited by international agreements).
The defensive armament of the Tu-95MS aircraft consists of 23-mm aviation cannons. On older versions of the aircraft, six AM-23 twin guns are installed in three defensive rifle installations (upper, lower and aft), and only two AM-23 or GSH-23 guns on the Tu-95MS in the stern.
Yuri Gavrilov
