Beginnings of a New Fleet: Russia’s New Tu-160M Strategic Bomber Makes First Flight

As part of an ambitious modernisation program for Russia’s strategic bomber fleet, the Tu-160M swept wing intercontinental range bomber carried out its first test flight on February 2nd. The Tu-160 is Russia’s heaviest bomber and deploys a wide range of advanced munitions including new Kh-101 and Kh-102 radar evading long ranged cruise missiles - the latter which is nuclear armed. The bomber is the fastest, and widely considered the most capable, in the world. Russia currently fields 18 Tu-160 bombers, and in late 2017 resumed production of the design with the intention of manufacturing approximately 50 new airframes. Modernisation to the Tu-160M standard will make bombers already in service more efficient - reportedly doubling their combat effectiveness. Electronics, sensors and other avionics are all new.

Upgrading to the Tu-160M standard appears to be a stepping stone towards more ambitious modernisation plans, with new bombers being manufactured to the Tu-160M2 standard. The enhanced aircraft will have ranges approximately 1000km longer than previous variants, and will benefit from new stealth coatings, new and more effect engines, new anti missile defence systems ,a higher maximum payload and further improved avionics. Upgrades are also being carried out on Russia’s two other classes of bomber - the Tu-95 and Tu-22M. Russia has also moved to expand its frontline Tu-22M fleet by bringing aircraft out of storage for refurbishment and modernisation. A program to develop a more sophisticated fourth class of bomber, the PAK DA, is also currently underway - with the new aircraft expected to benefit from a radar cross section reducing profile and next generation sensors and hypersonic weapons technologies.