The Soviet strategic bomber-missile carrier Tu-160 made its first flight seven years later than the American B-1 Lancer aircraft. Therefore, there is a myth about Soviet engineers copying American ideas. Combat aviation specialist Dario Leone refuted this misconception. His comment was published by The National Interest magazine.
The Tu-160 began operating three years after the beginning of active use of the B-1 in the US Air Force (Air Force). Both aircraft received comparable dimensions and variable sweep wings. Moreover, the planes were created for general tasks.
According to Leone, the similarity of the aircraft is explained by common design trends and a comparable level of technical progress. Therefore, Soviet and American designers followed a similar path. Nevertheless, the Tu-160 differs significantly from the B-1.
The development of the B-1 was a response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, according to Leone. After the arrival of President Ronald Reagan, the development program was restored in an unusual role. The aircraft was supposed to fill a niche between the B-52, which was vulnerable to Soviet air defense, and the promising aircraft of the ATB project, which became the B-2 bomber. Therefore, the project was changed, limiting the capabilities of the aircraft, and the order was reduced from 244 to 100 cars.
The development of the Tu-160 passed without compromise, and the Soviet designers released a full-fledged multifunctional bomber that can operate at various altitudes and speeds. Leone notes that the Tu-160 did not receive the front horizontal tail, which is installed on the B-1. This is due to the fact that they did not try to adapt the Soviet aircraft to work at low altitude.
The author summarizes that the B-1 is living out its last years as part of the Air Force. There are 57 cars left in the ranks, which can be abandoned in 2036. At the same time, the production of the Tu-160 continues.
Earlier, a video of the test flight of the upgraded Tu-160M missile carrier appeared. The aircraft is undergoing modernization at the Kazan Aviation Plant named after S. P. Gorbunov.
Daniil Irinin
