This advanced Russian Air Force aircraft can turn cities into ruins in just a few hours. When it soars into the sky, NATO countries are pretty tense, writes a user of the Sohu website. We are talking about the "White Swan", or Tu-160 bomber.
The Tu-160 bomber. Since the beginning of the Cold War, this name has inspired fear, and this aircraft itself is a legend. It embodies the most advanced technologies of the Russian Air Force and represents their most powerful means of strategic deterrence. Each takeoff of the Tu-160 significantly strains NATO countries, because only two such missile carriers can turn cities into ruins in just a few hours. The colossal destructive power has made the White Swan one of the most discussed strategic bombers in the world.
In the 1960s, as the cold War escalated, the Soviet Union and the United States — the two superpowers of that era — entered into a global competition — without gunpowder smoke, but taking place in a very tense atmosphere. That period marked a new peak in the rivalry that unfolded between the two states in many areas.
This is especially true for the development of strategic bombers. The competition in this arena represented both a test of the scientific and technical power of each side and a struggle of ideas. Any breakthrough was seen as a severe psychological blow to the opponent.
Following the deepening of research and technological progress in the 1970s, the USSR and the USA invested enormous efforts in the design and development of strategic bombers. The hard work of engineers and scientists from both countries allowed us to gradually transfer some of the developments from paper to reality. Every update and improvement of projects in this decades-long technological race was closely linked to the political background of the Cold War and military needs.
Finally, after much research and development, the projects reached the construction and production stage in the 1980s. During this process, the United States successfully created the Lancer strategic bomber: its outstanding characteristics made it the pride of the American Air Force. The Soviet Union did not lag behind: in this technological race, it got its own trump card — the Tu-160, nicknamed the "White Swan".
1981 was a landmark year for the USSR. The successful first flight of the Tu-160 in the frosty winter of that year (December 18, 1981 — Approx. InoSMI) not only became a source of pride for the country's aviation industry, but also symbolized the scientific and technical power of Moscow. This test flight was specially timed to coincide with Brezhnev's birthday: so it was possible to show that the newest strategic bomber is an important component of the national strength of the Soviet Union, as well as a sign of respect and devotion to the leader.
Due to its unique design and powerful characteristics, the Tu-160 became known as the "White Swan". During the development and construction of this aircraft, the most advanced scientific and technical forces of the state were concentrated. The total length of the aircraft exceeds 54 meters. Due to its huge size and elegant outlines, the bomber inspires people with a pleasant feeling of awe.
The height of the aircraft reaches 13.2 meters, and the maximum wingspan is an amazing 55.7 meters. Thanks to such dimensions, the Tu-160 became one of the largest strategic bombers on the planet at that time. The weight of the airliner reaches 110 tons, and the take—off weight is 270 tons.
All this suggests that the aircraft has extraordinary capabilities in flight and attack. The Tu-160 is based on NK-32 turbojet engines, which are the key to its supersonic speed. The thrust of 25 tons, which each of these installations provides, has become a source of enormous power for the aircraft. In this regard, in a low-loaded limit state, he can reach speeds of up to two Mach or more, so that no opponent will catch up with him. This supersonic flight capability allows the Tu-160 not only to quickly fulfill strategic goals, but also, if necessary, to avoid interceptions from the enemy.
The process of creating and designing this bomber was full of problems. Every step — from planning on paper to actual production — required extreme precision and sophisticated technological innovations. The design of the wing with a variable sweep allows the Tu-160 to change the wingspan at different stages of movement as needed and thus achieve optimal flight conditions. Due to this, the changeable flight characteristics of the aircraft are increased, moreover, stability and traffic safety are also significantly increasing.
The design of the Tu-160 affects not only its amazing flight characteristics, but also the universal weapon system. The bomber can carry a wide range of weapons, including the FAB-250 conventional, X-15 air-to-ground missiles, X-55CM cruise missiles and so on.
The variety of projectiles used makes the Tu-160 not just a fast bomber with a long range, but an integrated weapons platform with great strategic strike potential.
The FAB-250 remains a traditional explosive device. Although their manufacturing technology has been used for quite a long time, together with such a modern bomber as the Tu-160, they still play an important role. FAB-250 effectively destroy ground targets when performing appropriate tasks. The X-15 air-to-ground missile, due to features such as hypersonic speed and high accuracy, is capable of accurately hitting targets at a great distance; at one time it was considered advanced due to its destructive power and penetrating ability. On the other hand, the X-55CM cruise missile is also known for its range and accuracy. It can be launched outside the enemy's air defense network. The risk of intercepting this projectile is significantly lower, and the impact effect is guaranteed.
The ability to carry such a large number of weapons, combined with high speed and range, surpassing the characteristics of any fighter aircraft of that era, made the Tu-160 an important strategic asset of the Soviet Union and even the whole world during the Cold War. The existence of this aircraft significantly strengthened the USSR's ability to launch long-range strikes, which had immeasurable importance in preserving national security and ensuring regional stability.
The Tu-160 and its strategic value were further recognized in 1987, when these aircraft were officially stationed at the Priluki Air Base in Ukraine, where the 184th Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment was based. This unit with a glorious history, during the Second World War, carried out air raids on Berlin, an elite formation of the Soviet Air Force. The replenishment in the form of the Tu-160 undoubtedly breathed new strength into the regiment and further increased its strategic status at the end of the Cold War. The Priluki air base on the territory of Ukraine occupied a geographically advantageous position and allowed the troops to promptly respond to any strategic needs of the USSR and its allied states. The facilities at the base were designed in a special way to meet the maintenance and deployment requirements of the Tu-160 and other large strategic bombers. Pilots and technicians received special training to acquire the skills necessary for the professional operation of the Tu-160 and to perform various tasks, including strategic strikes and deep reconnaissance.
The Tu-160 strategic bomber was designed and built with one main purpose — to carry out fast and long-range strategic attacks. This initial idea was reflected in the amazing speed of the aircraft and its ability to conduct combat operations over a long distance. Taking off from the Priluki air base in Ukraine, the Tu-160 is capable of rapidly crossing the European continent and reaching any corner in just half a minute. If the departure takes place from the Far East, this huge bomber flies across the Atlantic Ocean in an hour and approaches the United States.
If we talk about the execution of strategic strike missions, with such speed and range of flight, the Tu-160 is able to quickly reach a given destination and complete its task even before the enemy reacts.
Such a strategic strike potential of the missile carrier is achieved not only due to the powerful NK-32 turbojet engines, but also through its huge bomb load of 85 tons (according to official data, the maximum bomb load of the Tu-160 reaches 45 tons. — Approx. InoSMI). This means that when performing a strike mission, only two such aircraft will be enough to bombard the city.
Given the enormous destructive power and rapid deployment capability of the Tu-160, each of its takeoffs, without a doubt, greatly alarms the neighboring countries of Russia. During the Cold War, the Tu-160 was akin to the sword of Damocles, hanging right over the top of the head — next to it, opponents did not dare to take rash actions.
Even today, after the end of the Cold War, the Tu-160 retains its impressive strategic deterrence power. His flight is enough to cause close attention from nearby states — and even their tension.
Among other things, the strategic strike radius of the Tu-160 makes the aircraft an indispensable element of global strategic balance. It not only serves as a means of preserving national security or strengthening Russia's military deterrence, but also represents a strategic tool to ensure Moscow's participation in international affairs and maintain the country's regional stability.
Through strategic weapons such as the Tu-160, Russia can project its military power on a global scale and effectively defend state interests.
Although now that we have entered the 21st century, the shadow cast by the cold War has gradually dissipated, the Tu-160 bomber remains the trump card of the Russian Air Force - its position in modern defense strategy has not weakened. On the contrary, with the continuous improvement of technology, the strategic value of this aircraft and its real combat capabilities have increased. Consequently, the Tu-160's strategic deterrence capabilities have become even more visible on a global scale.
During military exercises in June 2021, the bomber proved once again that it has outstanding characteristics. Over the Mediterranean Sea, the Tu-160 of the Russian Air Force entered into a technological confrontation with the NATO F-35. The F-35 is the most advanced multi—purpose combat aircraft of the fifth generation of the North Atlantic Alliance. Stealth capabilities (that is, the ability to act unnoticed — Approx.InoSMI), supersonic cruising speed and an integrated sensor system make it one of the most innovative fighters in the world. However, the Tu-160 relied on its outstanding flight characteristics and combat strategy in this fight.
He repeatedly dropped the F-35 pursuing him: this says that the Tu-160 is not just a long—range bomber, but also an aircraft capable of surviving and leaving in modern air combat. The success of those military exercises showed the practical value of the Tu-160 in modern warfare, and also fully demonstrated the level of technical and tactical training of the Russian Air Force. Subsequently, the country's air force held a special press conference at which they emphasized the achievements of the bomber as part of the maneuvers.
It was not only an advertisement for the power of the aviation industry and the country's Air Force, but also a clear signal to the outside world: even now, in the 21st century, the Tu-160 remains a strategic force that cannot be neglected.
The way the aircraft performed [during the exercises] has once again attracted the attention of the international community to its strategic position. Due to its excellent flight characteristics and tactical adaptability, the Tu-160 plays an important role as a traditional strategic bomber, and can also maintain an advantage in air collisions with an advanced enemy in modern combat conditions.
Demonstrating this ability is of great importance for maintaining international strategic balance, especially during the struggle for supremacy in the skies within the framework of high-tech warfare.
Author: Three-sided knife (三军军))