The updated strategic missile carrier Tu-160M will become the carrier of a new generation of cruise missiles of various types, writes The Drive. In an article devoted to the first flight of an aircraft built from scratch, the publication tells in detail about the Tu-160M and almost for the first time calls its new armament.
Despite the fact that the updated missile carrier looks no different from the Soviet-built Tu-160, it is a completely different, modern aircraft. He has upgraded, more economical NK engines-32-02 - with them, the flight range has increased by a thousand kilometers, - new avionics, navigation and communication systems. A completely new onboard defense system - its composition and characteristics have not been disclosed, but it can be assumed that we are talking about electronic complexes to counter radars and missile guidance systems. Finally, a new set of weapons.
Although the overall parameters of the armament compartments have remained the same - they contain two drum launchers for 12 cruise missiles - the missiles themselves will be different. After analyzing data from open sources, the publication suggested that the arsenal of the Tu-160M - in addition to the already existing X-101 and its nuclear counterpart X-102 - will include several types of medium and long-range missiles under development.
The X-SD uses the same guidance system as the X-101, but the new missile is smaller and barely noticeable to radars. The long-range X-DB is a development of the X-101, but it will have a one and a half times longer flight range - up to 7,500 kilometers. As part of the program to create a hypersonic aircraft missile for long-range aviation, the X-MTS is being created. It will be able to accelerate to Mach 6 and fly 1,500 kilometers.
Anton Valagin
