The Tu-160 will return in a new guise
Work on the reproduction of strategic bombers Tu-160 "White Swan" for Long-range aviation of the air forces of Russia is already underway, said Deputy defense Minister Yuri Borisov.
According to his statement, the fuselage and flight and technical properties will remain, but the "filling" and weapon system will change dramatically.
"The decision was made reproduction of the Tu-160 in a new form. Now we already work, set up a working group, together with Minpromtorga scheduled monthly meetings during this project, appointed the chief designers - work on a conventional stage," - said Yuri Borisov at the annual meeting with leaders of trade Union organisations of the defence industry.
Currently in service with the Russian air force are 16 bombers Tu-160. They are being upgraded, which should completely end in 2020.
To serve as the Tu-160 at the moment can not 1 other aircraft, standing on the arms. Promising aviation complex distant aviation (PAK DA) promise to make only in the following decade. Therefore, considering opinion of experts, the production of Tu-160 to close the needs of the air force for the next few years, makes sense.
In early April, Russian defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced the need to play the Tu-160. As later told the Deputy Minister Borisov, it will be certainly a new plane with a new interior, but the old look of the glider, its effectiveness will increase in 2,5 times in comparison with the predecessor. Such aircraft must be played by 2023.
Tu-160 is the largest and strongest in the history of military aviation supersonic aircraft with variable geometry wing, and the heaviest combat aircraft in the world, having the largest among the bombers maximum take-off weight. Among the pilots was nicknamed the "White Swan".
|
