POLICY WILL BE MULTI-PURPOSE
Air Force modernized its fleet of long-range aviation

   Russian Air Force fleet upgrade strategic and long-range bombers, and also carry out several development programs of their missiles.It is reported by the British journal "Jane's Rockets and Missiles."According to him, enjoys the highest priority modernization program is the Tu-95MS, which is carried out at 360 m repair plant in Ryazan.Advanced aircraft will be armed with strategic non-nuclear cruise missiles (CD) X-101, HPO " Rainbow "as well as their nuclear option X-102. 
    The first test-firing missiles X-101 were conducted several years ago.Product Weight - 2200-2400 kg warhead - 400 lbs.X-101 has a maximum range of 5000-5500 km, variable flight profile (height of 30-70 m to 6,000 m), cruising speed 190-200 km / s and a maximum speed of 250-270 m / sec.It can be considered quite subtle aircraft, because the effective surface scattering of X-101, only 0.01 sq. km.m. The missile is equipped with opto-electronic system of correcting the trajectory of the flight, as well as a television guidance system for the final leg of the flight.It provides target accuracy 12-20 m
   The upgraded Tu-95MS will be able to carry eight X-101 on an external sling.The same CD will be used in modernized Tu-160 , which will carry 12 missiles in two weapons bays. 
   Another program in the field of long-range missiles, according to British newspaper, is the development of nuclear CR on the basis of X-55cm of new missiles X-555.V among other weapons intended for Russian strategic bombers and missile considered the X-range CD, which assumes use some of the sites X-101, in particular, the guidance system.Work on it at an early stage. 
   It also reported on the modernization of long-range bomber Tu-22M3 , which is also carried out on the 360th Repair Plant.Register new version of the aircraft is the Tu-22M5 name.It can carry four X-101 or 6-8 X-SD, but its main armament will remain supersonic missiles of "air-to-earth."We are primarily talking about the upgraded X-22 , various versions of which are in service since 1964 Hovaya missile X-32, developed HPO "Rainbow" as the X-22 will be equipped with advanced engine and homing. 
   According to British experts, the Russian bombers for long-range aviation, a new version of the guided bombs KAB-1500 weighing 1500 kg.
   Official Russian sources briefed on some of these projects, however, by tradition, abroad write about it in more detail.Analysis of publicly available information on long-range aviation development programs indicates that the command of Air Force committed itself to transforming the strategic and long-range bombers in the multipurpose aircraft capable of operating in both nuclear and non-nuclear conflicts of varying intensity.It should be noted that, as in the U.S. Strategic Air Command, the course taken by giving missile carriers the ability to strike with precision weapons without entering the zone of enemy air defenses.And in the case of the H101 and X-102, the point is that the submarines can launch missiles before they are discovered modern air defense systems, for example, such as the North American HORAD.Incidentally, this implies that under certain conditions, the rapid development of weapons modernization programs of long-range aircraft can be considered as an effective response to the deployment of so-called national missile defense system the United States.

Alevtina Volkova, Sergei Grigoriev

"Hezavisimoe military obozpenie» № 22-2000, June 23-29, the

scheme Kh-101 and X-555 on page T-60C

Article from "The Wings of the Motherland" in 1993 .

Vladimir Ilyin, and Michael Levin.

 Virtually the only strategy.

Again we saw at the Salon of Tu-160.And then I thought: no type of aircraft has remained in our country is so steep rises and falls as heavy bombers.Amplitude of fluctuations is enormous - from the triumphs of design ideas embodied in the famous "Ilya of Murom," TB-3 TB-7 (ANT-42), Tu-95 and M-50, before having to copy the U.S. B-29.From the creation of the world's first heavy bomber connections to almost "freezing" of the strategic aviation in the early 1960s.

1980s can be attributed to the period of the next climb, as it was then established world's most powerful combat aircraft of the late XX century - the multi-mode missile-bomber, the Tu-160.

On the history of its creation, "KR" wrote a lot.Now we will add it with new parts.Ever since the 1970s, a number of leading Design Bureau in cooperation with TsAGI and other sectoral institutions began to work on the formation of long-term appearance of a supersonic bomber designed to replace outdated ZM and Tu-95 and designed to play the role of "counterweight" to the American strategic aircraft Rockwell B- 1, the technical design of which began in 1970

In addition to the Tupolev Design Bureau - a recognized leader in the bombers, in the project competition was attended by the Sukhoi Design Bureau, who proposed an enlarged version of his "Sotka" - a supersonic medium bomber T-4 with a delta wing (a new car be equipped wing variable geometry), and the firm Myasishchev, reconstituted in 1967 after its elimination under the initiative, NSKhrushchev in 1960

Tupolev submitted to the contest an initial draft of the bomber with ogival wing that looks like a supersonic passenger aircraft Tu-144 (still at work on the PCA were examined options for the military use of this machine. In particular, it was worked submarine, aircraft and even REP military transport).The project to make maximum use of technological advance, the firm received the work on the Tu-144 that carried a considerable cost and time.However, the selected configuration does not provide the required range when flying at subsonic speeds.

According to Colonel-General V.Reshetnikov, the then commander of the post long-range aviation, the term "design competition" was fairly arbitrary.Air Force Chief of PS Kutakhov feared as a PODry is not "rushed" into a heavy aircraft, as this would place in jeopardy the further development of tactical combat aircraft, which has traditionally specialized design bureau.Fears of a commander in chief had a certain justification: relatively recently (in 1969) in this group began work to create much-needed fourth-generation fighter the Air Force T-10 (Su-27 prototype) is considered as a response to an American aircraft air superiority McDonnell Douglas F -15, which, according to the military, have to compete on an equal nemogli our MiG-23.In addition, EDB has been downloaded project work on the Su-25 and introduced in 1972 in mass production front-line bomber Su-24.At the same time, PODry focused on work to develop a heavy bomber medium-range T-4, which was becoming, gradually, his "favorite child of."

VMMyasishchev specialized in heavy aircraft, and previously created under his leadership, strategic bombers and ZM M-50 as major achievements of Soviet aviation.Prepared by the designer in 1974.projects of new machines and M-18 M-20 ("tonkofyu-eelyazhnoy pickerel," as affectionately called her Reshetnikov, sympathized myasischevskoy company) had a wing with variable sweep.M-20 was similar in overall configuration to the B-1A, M-18 is made on a "duck."Aircraft Myasishcheva so, the same as the project POSukhoy are high performance and great potential.

However, the leadership of the Ministry of Defense and the Air Force did not have full confidence in the fact that relatively few in number and "young" again organized Myasishchev Design Bureau in 1967.at the Experimental Machine Building Plant (EMZ) in Zhukovsky, will perform the task of creating a new plane on schedule and at the proper level.This was attributed to the limited resources of the firm, which is formed on the basis of ispygatelnoy legno-base and honing (LIiDB) DB-23 - former myasischevskogo.To develop a new strategic bomber is needed to recreate a strong industrial base, that the independent character of a middle-aged and old chief engineer (for 70 years) became problematic.It's not easy going to a team of specialists with experience working on heavy vehicles (many participants create ZM and M-50 is already "accustomed" to the new "firms" and are unlikely to want to once again change the place).

The initial draft of ogival wing bomber Tupolev firm has been presented in one of the first meetings of the tender committee, AATupolev Design Bureau who led after the death in 1972, Tupolev.However, after a rather emotional discussion, the draft was not supported by the military ("Do you propose we actually airliner" - said Reshetnikov at this meeting).

Even at an early stage of the program studied and circuit bomber wing variable geometry, but Tupolev and SMJaeger, who led a group of common species, doubted v.vozmozhnosti get with this configuration required load ratio (here, has had a healthy conservatism Tupolev and his desire to use only those solutions, the possibility of the implementation of which had complete confidence).Still further key professionals TsAGI GPFistulous and GSByushgens managed to convince the bureau to the reality of achieving the specified parameters with the application in future aircraft design engineering materials and technology.

After the failure of option aircraft, equipped with ogival wing bomber project "70" with variable geometry wings has been submitted to the contest and received approval in 1975 of the customer.This project is also supported by Dmitry Ustinov, who in 1976 Minister of Defense and the Marshal of the Soviet Union.

Tupolev to the top of the 1970s has unique experience in the Heavy Bomber Aviation.Thanks to the efforts of this group have been established in almost all post-war serial medium bombers (Tu-16 Tu-22 Tu-22M), the primary strategic bomber Tu-95, as well as much of the fleet of passenger aircraft (Tu-104 Tu-114 Tu -134, Tupolev-154 and the first-ever ATP serial Tu-144).Had experience in the design of supersonic bomber Tu-132 and Tu-135 carried on a "duck" as well as other machines with no analogues in the world.

Of course, EDB has all the necessary industrial and intellectual resources in order to meet tight deadlines given enough and at the appropriate level of quality.In addition, if one of the bidders, the Sukhoi Design Bureau, was clearly overwhelmed the military theme, the Tupolev beginning of the 1970s had a rather "skinny" portfolio of defense contracts (were working on the Tu-22M, which was created as a deep modernization of the Tu- 22, and a number of remotely piloted vehicles).

When you create a "semidesyatki" considering various options for layout schemes.In particular, the work was carried out over the aircraft with engines, arranged in a wing of one over the other.The air intake has two channels of complex configuration, the center-beam envelopes from the top and bottom.This scheme provides the best aerodynamics and reducing the EPR, but the technology was complicated, moreover, doubted the vertical ligament damage control two motors.

Was constructed full-scale mock airplane with a "vertical turbofans. Subsequently, however, chose a simple design with engines in nacelles under the fixed wing, as the B-1 and M-20.

Externally, the new car looked like a B-1 bomber, but this similarity was due to non-technical plagiarism, and the similarity of the requirements for U.S. aircraft and the "product 70".However, superficially: layout and design solutions, implemented with the creation of "semidesyatki" and B-1, are different.

When designing the machine OKB relied on his own vast experience.In order to achieve a given level of combat effectiveness required significantly streamline design-layout drawing plane, to create new structural materials and semifinished products from high-strength aluminum and titanium alloys, to develop a unique technology and machine equipment.Given the complexity and enormity of the task, this work led directly to the Minister of Aviation Industry of the USSR, PVDementiev.

For the first time in the design of the aircraft much attention has focused on reducing the radar and infrared signature ("fashionable" name - "stealth technology").

Overall management of the program carried out the general designer AATupolev aircraft design and construction was carried out under the direct supervision of Chief Designer V.Bliznyuk and his deputies - LNBazenkova and ALPukhov.The program was attended by teams of TsAGI, LII, Nias, VIAM, NIAT, CB and associations, "Trud", "Rainbow", MIEA, "Electroavtomatika", as well as hundreds of companies Drut MAP USSR and allied industries.

In 1977, Yakovlev Design Bureau.Kuznetsov Samara began to develop engines for multi-mode bomber.NK-32 turbofans created on the basis of NK-144, OC-22 and SC-25, installed on SPS Tu-144 first series, as well as the Tu-22M2 and Tu-22MZ.

Flight tests of the new NK-32 turbofans started in 1980.on the flying laboratory Tu-95.

Soon as possible to create a new machine dictate the need for installation on the aircraft exhaust systems already onboard electronic equipment used, in particular, the Tu-22M bomber.

In the first modification of the Tu-160 have decided to renounce the use of screen indicators in the cockpit (as the experience of the development release of these devices for passenger Tu-204 and IL-96, the decision was justified.)Various radio-electronic "exotic" was supposed to implement when creating new versions of the bomber.

In the Yakovlev Design Bureau.ANTupolev built two "flying" instance "semidesyatki" as well as a glider for statispytany.19dekabrya 1981 a new aircraft, piloted by a crew under the command of test pilot, BIVeremeev, first flew from the airfield LII.Gromov in Zhukovsky.

Soon, an experienced "semidesyatkam" aircraft joined the party head, in a relatively short period of time built at the Kazan Aviation Plant (a significant contribution to developing the production of machine made general manager of VE Kopylov, chief engineer SG Khisamutdinov and his deputy N.R . Akhtyamov).

Tests were conducted on a bomber flight-finishing company based in Zhukovsky Tupolev team of testers under the direction of VTKlimova, VGMikhailov and AKYaschukova.Test pilots flew BIVeremey, STAgapov, V.Magveev, navigator, MMGoat.Further fine-tuning of the aircraft were connected to test pilots GK NII VVS LVKozlov, MIPozdnyakov, VSSmirnov, SDOsipov, N.Sh.Satgarov, VNKerretin and others under the direction of LIAgurina.Even before adopting military aircraft received the designation Tu-160.In the West, according to NATO classification, it was called "Blackjack" (the first time Americans were able to take pictures of his November 25, 1981, 26 days before the first flight. Later in the pages of the foreign aviation print appeared quite "foggy" picture of the Tu-160 surrounded by two Tu-144.

At first we thought that the image obtained with the intelligence of an artificial satellite of the Earth (this version, and stuck the American media), but later it became clear that "Tu" was photographed from the air, apparently, an ascending or sitting down on a civilian airfield Bykovo nearby to FRI.

Unfortunately, testing is not done without the accident: second serial Tu-160 was lost when the rise in LII (Fortunately, the crew managed to escape).The first aircraft entered the drill part of long-range aircraft - the 184th Guards Bomber Aviation Regiment stationed in Ukraine (Priluki), formerly armed Tu-16 and Tu-22MZ, in May 1987

Thus, from the first flight of a new car before entering it into the drill of barely more than five years - a period, a record low for the aircraft in its class.Later, however, the rate of deployment of the Tu-160 has slowed somewhat by the end of 1991.in Priluki was only 19 Tu-160 (two squadrons), and one training squadron, equipped with a trainer Tu-134UBL.After all, a huge expensive machine, which is required for the construction of many subcontractors agreed, quickly felt the collapse of the Union.Initially, a Tu-160 costs the state 48 million rubles., By the summer of 1991 - more than 70 million rubles. And by early 1992.- 300.

The original plan was intended to build 100 bombers of this type - as much as Rokuzll-1B.However, in January 1992.BNYeltsin announced the end of serial production of Tu-160.19 bombers "lay" in Priluki.In the literal sense: the machines are under the covers in parking lots, crews are losing their skills.

In Russia the same in 1992 decided to continue mass production of the Tu-160, as well as the dislocation in the Engels Bomber Regiment, equipped with these machines (there also transferred part of pilots and navigators from Priluki).

In August of 1988.U.S. Secretary of Defense Carlucci F. became the first foreigner who was able to look at the mysterious "Blackjack" on an air base near Moscow Kubinka.American spent nearly 15 minutes on board, where he (who had not, however, the military and liberal education), spoke about the design features a bomber.Carlucci was able to convince that this is indeed the world's largest bomber and that they are S THERE certain "technical advantages to the American B-1B" (Minister of the Tu-160 was accompanied by Gen. U.S. Air Force to fly on airplanes strategic aircraft, as well as a lady, "stuffed" sound recording apparatus).When you try to sit in a chair pilot thoroughly American visitor "had a" head of one of the instrument panel that has led to assign to this detail avionics playful name "shield Carlucci."

In May 1991, made ​​the first flight of Tu-160 front-line outside the USSR.They are a pair of rounded North Cape and moved to the west of Tromsø.She met the Norwegian fighter F -16A, one of whom has made ​​a close passage.Tu-160 behaved quite peacefully, not trying to evade the "interception".

In October 1992 began the development of the Tu-160 regiments in Engels.October 22 was held the first practical cruise missile launch long range.After a reset at a high altitude training CD successfully hit the target.Test & Measurement support for start-up provided the IL-76.High performance aircraft have been confirmed by a number of record flights.On the closed route, 1000km with a payload of 30 tons - an average speed of 1720 km / h.At a distance of 2,000 km with takeoff weight of 275 t in 1678 achieved average speed km / h and altitude 11 250 m (all on the Tu-160 set 44 world records).

Tu-160 made by the normal aerodynamic scheme with a variable sweep wing.The layout of the central part of the airframe - integral.The glider is made primarily of aluminum alloys (V-95, heat-treated to increase the resource, as well as the AK-4).The share of titanium alloys in airframe weight - 20% used IM and glass.Widely used glued sandwich construction.

Low-lying with a large swept wing and rotary root influx of consoles has a relatively large elongation.Sites turning consoles (hinges) are at 25% wing span (with a minimum sweep).Structurally, the wing is divided into the following units:

- The center-beam, which is a welded titanium unit length of 12.4 m and a width of 2.1 m with a cross set in a stenochnyh ribs made ​​of aluminum alloy and perestykovochnyh profiles for communication with the outer shell and the fuselage.Beam center-organically integrated into the central part of the airframe, and provides the perception of the entire spectrum loads coming from the wing panels, the closure and transfer them to the fuselage.Caisson of center is also a fuel tank;

- Dvuhsreznye titanium nodes of rotation (hinge), providing a turn consoles and transfer loads from the wing center section on (the first car mount lugs welded joints have been, but in the future due to technological reasons, switched to bolting);

- Wing, made of high-strength aluminum and titanium alloys, the hinges to the dock and turn in the angle range 20-65 deg sweep.

The basis of the power of the wing panels is the caisson, educated family milled twenty-meter panels, five teams milled and spars, and six ribs.Caisson is a container for fuel.Him directly attached units, units and elements of the landing of mechanization, and aerodynamic flaperon ending.The central part of the airframe includes the fuselage itself, a fixed ("naplyvnuyu") of the wing, built in the center-beam and nacelle engines. Together with the central part of the wing fuselage of a single unit, made ​​primarily from aluminum alloys.

In the semi-monocoque fuselage nose structure, which begins radio waves ogival radome radar, located forward equipment bay, which houses the avionics units and hermetic cabin crew, including technical equipment bays.

A crew of four is placed in the pressurized cabin, which provides pilots comfortable.There is a tilt bed, cupboard for warming up food, toilet.Ejection seats K-36LM can leave the bomber in distress at all altitudes of flight, including on the ground during taxiing.

The pilots have individual high-rise equipment.At the bottom of the cab is untight niche nose landing gear.Entrance to the cabin crew - through the lower hatch with a special ground-ladder ladders, or using a telescopic ladder board (on the aircraft early release is not installed).

Directly behind the cockpit are two series of unified compartment arms length by 11m in width and height of 1.9 m, equipped with built-in nodes for the suspension of the entire range of a given aircraft weapons, systems, recovery of weapons, as well as fixtures and installations elektrokommutatsionnoy equipment.

On the front and side walls of the weapons bays are located various drive and control valves.

Between compartments is the center-beam.In naplyvnoy and tail of the plane located fuel tanks, coffer.In the fore part of the influx are not encapsulated, air-conditioning units and life support.

The tail of the glider - the most difficult part of a loaded aircraft (due to the presence of large deformations in this zone) - organically integrates nacelle, landing gear compartment of arms and the rear of the fuselage.Here, in addition to the structures of the titanium alloy used cellular sandwich of aluminum alloys.

To simplify the scheme and constructive ties of the wing and the central part of the glider developed an original and elegant design, including the "ridges" that are the root of the deflected flap, simultaneously tracking the rotation of wing panels and to ensure to the maximum deflection of the sweep.Installed on the engine compartment fairing make the transition zone between aggregates smoother.

The empennage is satisfied by the normal scheme of tselnopovorotnym stabilizer, located on the third the height of the vertical stabilizer (to exclude the effects of jet engines).Its design includes the caissons to rotate sites and cellular sandwich panels made of aluminum or composite materials.

Kiel, who is top of the vertical tail - all-moving.

Tricycle landing gear has a bow-driven rack and the two main units, located at the center of mass of aircraft.Wheel track - 5400mm, base chassis - 17 800 mm. The size of the main wheels - 1260h485 mm, nasal - 1080h400 mm. nose landing gear, located under the technical compartment of the niche not encapsulated (in which the same door to enter the plane), is equipped with a two-wheeled cart with an aerodynamic deflector, "Pincher" by jets of air to betonke any "junk" by preventing him sucked into the air intake (in the future aircraft to be equipped with a device protecting the engines from foreign objects that use compressed air from the compressor turbofans).Rack is removed by turning the back on the flight.

The two main landing gear with six-wheeled bogies are mounted directly on the center and removed on the flight back to the special sections, niche.When cleaning the racks are shortened, which allows you to "write" the chassis in sections of minimum size.With the release of the main stand, pushing, shifting to 600 mm in outside.This increases the track chassis.The chassis can operate with existing bomber airfields without additional work to strengthen the runway.

Coupled multi-mode air intakes mounted under the front wing of the influx.Unlike other combat aircraft of the fourth generation, the Tu-160 used external compression air intakes with a vertical rather than horizontal ramp (this excludes their mutual influence on the performance of engines).

Turbojet engine forced (two engines) NC-32 EDO NDKuznetsova - the result of multi-mode engine more power, designed for heavy supersonic Tu-144 and Tu-22M.Engine serial production in 1986 in Samara, and at present has no analogues in the world.This is one of the world's first mass-produced turbofan, designed using the measures to reduce radar and infrared signatures.

The compressor has a three-stage turbofan fan, five stages and seven medium-pressure high.To reduce the visibility of the engine (and consequently the entire aircraft) is scheduled to give a first-stage compressor as a kind of screen that provides a minimum reflection of the radar radiation reaching the engine varied range (the mechanism for developers not disclosed, but it can be assumed that the compressor blades, suitably shaped to reflect radar radiation at radio-absorbing coating applied to the walls of the inlet).Compressor blades made of titanium, steel, and (in the path of high pressure) of high-nickel alloy.Weight 365kg compressor, bypass ratio 1.4, pressure ratio (at takeoff) 28.4.

Combustion chamber - a ring, with evaporation burners, providing stable and smokeless combustion temperature.The turbine has a single stage high pressure (diameter 1000 mm, the stagnation temperature of gas in 1375 degrees C) with cooled single crystal blades, one intermediate stage and two stage low pressure.

Afterburner is designed to reduce infrared radiation and to ensure minimal Smoke.

Nozzle - fully adjustable self.

The engine management system - electric, with a duplicating fluid mechanics.Work is underway to create a digital control system with full responsibility.

Turbofans Length - 6000 mm diameter (for air intake) - 1460 mm, dry weight 3400 kg, maximum dry power 4 x 14 000 kg, deadlift in afterburner - 4 x 25 000 kgs.

The engines are located in nacelles in pairs, separated by fire partitions and operate entirely independently of each other.

To provide independent power supply to the aircraft is turbine APU (located behind the main landing gear recess).

Hydraulic system - four-channel, with a working pressure of 280 kg / cm ² .

The bomber is equipped with redundant analog wire system through the pitch, roll and yaw, which provides optimal stability and control characteristics in all flight modes.

Control of the aircraft in pitch by using the all-moving stabilizer on a roll - flaperons and interceptors, the exchange rate - through the all-moving fin.

There is an automatic system control and prevent the release of the limiting regimes.

TU-160 equipped with a refueling hose-type cone.In the rest position rod retracts into the nose of the fuselage in the bay in front of the cockpit.Initially, when the aircraft - tankers Il-78 and ZM equipped with a system of in-flight refueling with a heavy cone on a bomber installed a massive "shoot" the bar.However, after the appearance of a light cones since 1988.Tu-160 - Lightweight rods more simple design.

At the insistence of the Air Force is also considered non-retractable version of the aircraft equipment rod, placed in a somewhat elevated nose of the fuselage (as on ZM), but in the future from such a decision refused.

The bomber is equipped with a sighting and navigation system (PrNK), providing automatic flight and combat use.It includes a number of systems and sensors that allow engaging surface targets, regardless of time of day, region and weather conditions.

Established ANN astronavigatsionnaya system, satellite navigation system, multi-channel digital communications system and a developed system of REB.It can detect enemy radar stations in a wide range, to lead the formulation of active and passive jamming.

Navigation and attack radar system installed in the fuselage nose, and a parabolic antenna is capable of detecting large-scale naval and ground radar-contrast target at long distances.There optoelectronic bombing sight, providing high-precision bombing in daylight and in low light.

In the tail cone are numerous containers with IR by traps and dipole reflectors.In the extreme rear of the fuselage is teplopelengator that detects approaching from the rear hemisphere missiles and enemy aircraft.

The total number of digital processors that are available on board, more than 100.The workplace of the navigator is equipped with eight digital computer.

Cockpit equipped with a standard electro-mechanical devices, similar to the established bomber Tu-22MZ.However, management is carried out not by the traditional heavy ships wheel, and through the handle "fighter" type (the appearance of the control knob Tu-160 is largely due Reshetnikov, does that convince the many "conservatives" in favor of its application on a heavy bomber).

Armament Tu-160 is located in two large compartments in the fuselage and can include a wide range of guided missiles, guided and free falling bombs and other weapons, as in a nuclear and a conventional warheads.This allows the aircraft almost against all types of ground and sea targets.

The composition of missile is up to 12 cruise missiles X-55, created a "Raduga" and placed on two rotary launchers.CD designed to engage stationary targets with predetermined coordinates, the input of which is carried out in the "memory" of the CD before flying bomber.

Not to engage targets at ranges of the weapons may include aeroballistic missiles Kh-15.Developed a version of this anti-missile radar homing system with operating in the mm range, as well as confusional version with passive homing.Perhaps the use of perspective and other missile types.

Bomb armament Tu-160 is regarded as a weapon, "the second phase," designed to hit targets that have been preserved after the first missile strike bomber.It also placed in the compartments can include weapons and responsive bombs of various types, including the most powerful domestic ammunition in this class series KAB-1500 caliber 1500 kg.

The aircraft can be equipped as freely falling bombs of different calibres (including nuclear), Cluster bombs, mines and other maritime weaponry.

One of the possible applications of TU-160 - The use of complex "Burlak", intended for placing into Earth orbit light satellites.The need for such satellites may be in combat if the enemy can destroy or significantly weaken the constellation, and the Baikonur cosmodrome Plesetsk and will be withdrawn from the system.In addition, "Burlak" has a great potential use for commercial purposes to run domestic and foreign satellites for various purposes.

The complex consists of a carrier aircraft Tu-160 cruise missile and solid fuel produced in MBC "Rainbow".Features aviation system, "Burlak":

Mass load, the output of the low circular orbit, kg: MO-500 polar, equatorial 500-700.

Mass load, the output on the circular orbit altitude of 1000 km, or elliptical (perigee 200 km, apogee 8500 km), 50-150 kg polar, equatorial 120-220.

The maximum dimensions of the cargo, m: 1,3 x1, 2x1, 2.

The volume of the payload bay, cub - 1.75.

The use of aviation system eliminates the need for new or existing lease expensive land-based sites and launch facilities.Ensured the formation of virtually any plane of the orbit, the implementation of any start-up that is acceptable from a security perspective, the place of the globe, regardless of time of day, climatic and weather conditions.Compared with the traditional launch vehicles in two or three times down the unit energy costs to run the equivalent load is reduced adverse impact on the environment.

Means of producing missiles and a range of autonomous, mobile and provide operational launch payload.Despite the major achievements of local designers in the creation of bombers, long-range aviation in our country remains for many years very numerically small component of the strategic nuclear triad.In 1991. When the agreement consisted of the START-1, the USSR had 162 strategic bombers, which carried 855 nuclear warheads, which constituted 8.3% of the total (10 271) of nuclear warheads the Soviet Union.In the U.S. strategic forces, heavy bombers, has always played a big role significantly: in the same 1991.the U.S. had 574 heavy bombers with nuclear warheads in 2353 (22.3%).That is, air force had about the same weight as intercontinental ballistic missiles, although inferior to the underwater missile forces.

However, the situation may change if the implementation of START-2 treaty providing for a radical restructuring of the strategic nuclear forces.This will inevitably lead to increasing the role of heavy bombers in the defense system of the country (by 2003 the limit for them to make nuclear weapons 750-1250 with a total of 3000-3500).

Whereas previously the emphasis was on creating weapons designed to fight the main potential enemy - the U.S., are now considered different scenarios of armed conflict, the most probable is not nuclear "apocalypse", and limited, local wars.In this case, long-range aviation is the only part of the strategic triad capable of universal application (such as the use of nuclear weapons and conventional ammunition), which greatly enhances its role.

In domestic and foreign press noted that the Tu-160 is currently the most potent attack aircraft in the world.In the soundness of these assertions can be verified by comparing it with the American counterpart - strategic bomber Rockwell B-1B.Common feature of the fourth generation of machines - integrated aerodynamic configuration, wherein blending the wing with the fuselage, and because of its obvious advantages (increase aerodynamic efficiency, increased interior volume, reducing the area of the surface and washed EPR), to be widely used in modern combat aircraft.It also adopted for many fighters 1970-1980's (Su-27, MiG-29, F -16, F / A-18).The proximity of the requirements (the ability to overcome enemy air defenses at low altitude and transonic speeds at high altitude at supersonic speed, while ensuring an intercontinental range and large payload) determined the choice for both aircraft wing sweep, which provides multi-mode flight.

However, these are common to both aircraft circuit attributes their similarities end.Tu-160 is much heavier than the American car (maximum takeoff weight 275t 216t compared to the B-1B) and has a much larger maximum capacity (estimated weight of the combat load in the compartments of weapons - 45 m to 34 m in B-1B).

An advantage of TU-160 in terms of unit mass and thrust lead to better performance characteristics: it has a greater flight range (12 300 km, compared with 10 400 km in the B-1B).It should be noted that the Tu-160 has a high supersonic speed at which it is capable of flying for a long time, whereas the B-1B maximum flight Mach number is reduced to 1.25 for the expense out of the controlled air intake and reduce the proportion (by weight ) titanium alloys in the construction of 21 to 17.6%.

According to the commander of the Russian Air Force, PSDeinekin expressed in a conversation with the authors, the characteristics of maneuverability and controllability of aircraft B-1B and Tu-160 are approximately equal."Empty"-1B (with a takeoff weight of about 150 m), which flew in the U.S. Deinekin, served steep banking turns and 40 degrees., A sharp decline and set.However, according to the commander, in a similar way would be to fly on the Tu-160 with partial refueling.

Benefits Tupolev machines due to several fundamental features of its construction.In contrast to the B-1B, which used the system damping of elastic vibrations in the plane of the fuselage pitch during flight in turbulent atmosphere with additional movable aerodynamic surfaces in the nose of the aircraft in the Tu-160 is not necessary in such devices.The increased rigidity of the aircraft achieved by lengthening the bow of the smaller developed with the influx of root of the wing.The implementation of the original layout of niches chassis - without disrupting the power structure of the fuselage, at the time, as the fuselage of the B-1 is greatly weakened (in the figurative expression of the main design aircraft VI Blizniuk "cut in half" bay chassis) without the need for the use of additional electronic .Increased response hinges turning movable wing panels Tu-160 (the relative length of the beam center-of 0.25 for the unfolded wing, compared with 0.19 in the B-1B) reduces the losses at transonic speeds in balancing due to the smaller shift of the center of aerodynamic pressure for relocation of the wing.The use of the Tu-160 wire control system gives the principal an opportunity to further reduce the losses to balance by reducing the static stability of the aircraft.

When you create a Tu-160 and B-1B to the designers task was a sharp decrease in the effective scattering surface (ESR) - the main indicator of radar visibility.But if the United States sacrificed for the sake of the next major LTH machines (primarily speed, turning the supersonic bomber from a transonic), the Tupolev company to have achieved similar results without the "deterioration" aircraft.In contrast to the air intake with S -shaped partitions used on the B-1B, the Tu-160 equipped with a usual intake adjustable, providing high performance in all flight modes, and the ESR is reduced through the use of "stealth" engines.Reduce radar visibility also contribute to a more "integrated" arrangement (from the front shape reminiscent of the Tu-160 aircraft nearly invisible American Northrop B-2), the cabin is not advocating for the contours of the fuselage (the B-1B is located on the chassis and the recesses forms a kind of hump in the nose of the aircraft), all-moving tail fin (the gap, formed between the vertical fins and rudder of the B-1B, provides an extra burst of reflected radar radiation).

Significantly different armament and bombers.Tu-160 can carry a wide range of both nuclear and conventional munitions (both managed and unmanaged).Optical Bomber sight provides high precision bombing from high altitudes.B-1B now has only to deliver nuclear bombs svobodnopadayuschih B61 and B83.SD short-range SR AM decommissioned as expired shelf life of solid rocket motors, and work on forward-looking rocket SR AM-2 stopped in 1991

Repeatedly written that the B-1B can carry cruise missiles, ALCM .Indeed, the tests were carried out, confirming the placement of the plane of such weapons.But to date fleet of bombers B-1B did not have the necessary equipment to use the CD.(For the manufacture and installation on aircraft requires considerable additional resources which the U.S. Department of Defense is not).Only in 1991.U.S. Air Force began work on the weapons the B-1B bombs caliber conventional Freefall 225kg.Because of the lack of an optical sight Bomber B-1B can produce only a "carpet" bombing of areas.

At the same time, American car has a more advanced cockpit instrumentation, in particular, monochrome CRT indicators set out in front of each pilot, which facilitates the piloting of aircraft, especially during low-altitude flight.

Comparing the Tu-160 B-1B, it is impossible not to draw attention to a higher engineering professionalism and elegance of design version Tupolev machine distinguishes it from the creation of the firm Rockwell.Thus, the root part of the flaps deflected to ensure blending rotary and fixed wing, when flying at high speeds improves the aerodynamics of the aircraft, acting as additional keels.On the cruise, they form a smooth transition between the surfaces of the wing, the ideal in terms of aerodynamics and radar visibility.This elegant and ingenious solution contrasts with the cumbersome and "neaerodinamichnoy" system of conjugation, applied by the Americans and including the ugly, from an aesthetic point of view, rejected the panel and complex, unreliable seals.Generally when you create a Tu-160, according to the authors, manifested a kind of "superiority complex" in the best sense of the word, formed from the best of engineering-design hull Yakovlev Design Bureau.Tupolev (a rare quality to this day).

Multi-mode combat aircraft, harmoniously combining low visibility, high-LTH, powerful defensive and offensive weapons, has a good chance to "survive" in the sky beginning of the XXI century.Clearly, from all created to date, the strategic supersonic bomber, the ideal of such an aircraft in this most closely approximates the Tu-160.

Description.

The contest - 1967 (T-4MS, M-20 M-18 and Tu-160).

Commencement of works - in 1975, ed.70, "K".

The order for engines - 1977, Samara NK-32, "P".

A series of NC-32 - 1986.

Protection of preliminary design Tu-160M ​​- Mid 1976, began building a layout.

TTX conceptual design:

range without refueling with 9000 kg load 14000 - 16000 km,

Maximum operating altitude 18000 - 20000 km,

maximum load of 40,000 kg,

weight 162 200 kg of fuel,

primary weapon 2 * X-45 (one per compartment) or 25 * X-15.

X-45 rocket.

length 8.10 m

height 1.92 m folded

starting weight 4500 kg

range 10,000 km

speed 9000 km / h

the project X-45 missiles abandoned during the layout.

1977 approved the layout of the Tu-160.

70-01 is not a full range of equipment, based in Moscow.

70-02 static.

70-03 practical analog serial machines.

October 1981 held on 70-01 taxiing test

December 18, 1981 - first flight.

October 6, 1984 made its first flight at 70-03, also in October, made its maiden flight 70-04, the first machine of Kazan.

The trials involved eight aircraft (two series).

February 1985 - First flight at supersonic speeds.

The first aircraft were designated Kazan - Tu-160S.

In March 1987, crashed during takeoff second serial Tu-160.

April 25, 1987 - the first pair of Tu-160.

In May 1987, the Tu-160 adopted for service in 184 PBKTBP Priluki.

By the end of 1987 in Priluki - 10 cars.

By mid-1989, 150 missions done 4 of them with practical launches X 55cm.

The end of 1991 in Priluki - 21 Tu-160 (two squadrons).

According to some estimates the total order was - 40 cars.

Modifications:

Tu-160P - heavy armed escort fighter SD "air - air 'large and mid-range.

Tu-160SK - media space system "Burlak" NGO "Rainbow" with the mass of the rocket load 300 - 700 lbs.

Construction: 20% - Titanium V-95, AK-4 composites.

weapons bay: 11.28m length, width and height - 1.92 m volume - 2 x 43 m³

position of the wing: The Rise - 20 oz., cruise flight - 35 oz., supersonic - 65 oz.

Chassis track

5400 mm, 17 800 mm base, the main wheels in 1260 X 485 mm,

nasal 1080 X 400 mm.

Radar "of the review -" the optical sighting system OPB-15T "Thunderstorm", EW GER "Baikal".

Engines:

DTRDF NC-32 NGO "Trud"

bypass 1.4, pressure ratio 4.28,

maximum thrust of 137.3 kN (14,000 kg) afterburning - 245.15 kN (25,000 kgs).

engine weight 3650 kg, length 6.5 m, diameter 1.455 m compressor, turbine inlet temperature of 1375 gr.S.

Weapons:

12 x Kh-55 or X-55M / SM.six pieces for two ISU-6-5U.

X-55 (izd.125) RKV-500B, (AS-15)

development NGO "Rainbow", gl.konstruktor I. Seleznev.

length 6040 mm, diameter 556mm,

Maximum range with drop tanks 3,000 kilometers.

starting weight 1210 kg, with drop tanks - 1500 kg.,

weight launcher MKU-6-5Y about 1,550 kg.

55cm X is equipped with a nuclear warhead of 200 kt,

circular error probable: 18 - 26 m.

X-15 (ed. 115, AS-16 ) NGO "Rainbow".

X-15 - inertial

X-15C - RCC (antiship)

X-15P - pruritus (antiradar).

in the compartments 24 pcs.by 6 pcs.four MKU6-1 (two drums in one compartment).

weight of PU 4 x 600 kg.

suspension at 24 units.weight load 28 800 kg of the aircraft.

length 4780 mm, diameter 455 mm, wingspan 920 mm,

weight 1100 kg, warhead 150 kt, speed M = 5, range 150 km.

The aircraft Tu-160.

Wingspan, m:

when flying with a maximum speed of 35.6 (65 oz.)

50.7 at cruise (35 oz.)

at takeoff and landing 55.7 (20 oz.)

Wing area, sq.m 232.0

Length, m 54.1

Height, m ​​13.2

Wheel track, m 5.4

The base chassis, 17.9 m

The length of the motor nacelle (without wedge), 13.78 m

Horizontal tail span, m 13.25

Maximum takeoff weight, kg 275 000

            with airfield 1st Class, kg 185 000

Maximum landing weight, kg 165 000 (155 000)

Empty weight, kg 110 000

            Curb, kg 117 000

Fuel weight, kg 140 600 (171 000)

Maximum actual combat load, kg 22 400

The maximum allowable weight of payload, kg 45 000

Maximum speed at altitude 13 000 m

afterburner on the engine operating

at an angle of 65 deg wing sweep, km / h 2200

The maximum number, M 2.0

Cruising speed, 0.77 M

Speed ​​in km / h

                landing 260 -280

                take-off 270 (150 tons) - 370 (275 tons)

Planting angle, degrees 12.5

Run, m 900 - 2000

Mileage, 1200 -1600 m

Service ceiling, m 15,000

Rate of climb, m / 70

Operational range

at takeoff weight 275000kg 12 300

(M = 0.77, 5% of remaining fuel, 6 x Kh-55M running in the middle of the route)

Technical range without refueling, 13 950 km

ferry 14 600

at supersonic speed in 2000 (M 1.5)

in The burden of flight hours and 15 

Flight duration, h 15

Maximum rate of climb, m / s 60-70

The complexity of the preparation for flight, man / h 64 (per flight hour)

Cruise missile Kh-55

The missile carried on a normal aerodynamic configuration with straight wings relatively high aspect ratio, the off position retractable into the fuselage.Plumage all-moving.Turbojet engine RDK-300 is located on the ventral pole withdrawable (in the off position on the inside of the rocket).The engine is started pirostarterom placed in the tail rotor coca.For transport the wing and engine nacelles fold into the fuselage and tail fold.In flight, with the release of the nacelle to reduce resistance is lengthening the fuselage tail coca (kok put forward by a spring-held taut nichrome wire, which burn through electrical pulse).

The design of the rocket implemented measures to reduce radar and thermal signature - covering the forward fuselage, wing and tail made of special radar absorbing materials.

Further modifications were made rockets with increased discharges by installation of conformal external fuel tanks range - the X 55cm (entered service in 1987godu).

   Strategic missile Kh-55 is capable of accurately hitting stationary targets at great distances from the point of starting.The missile uses inertial guidance system with correction of the location, based on the principle of comparison with a map, introduced in the onboard computer before starting.Missile guidance system is one of the essential differences of the cruise missile from the preceding aircraft weapon systems.This ensured the autonomous flight the Kh-55, regardless of length, weather conditions, etc.For this purpose, was made a corresponding mapping software (digital maps).

Each Tu-95MS bombers can carry up to six missiles, located on the launch drum set catapult type gruzootseke aircraft.In two gruzootseke supersonic Tu-160 can be placed 12 long-range cruise missiles X 55cm (with extra fuel tanks) or 24 conventional cruise missiles X-55.

     Yet at the stage of a complex with CD arms a fierce debate about where the carrier must be a flight mission: a rocket or an airplane, as a (centralized or decentralized) should prepare mission.The winning concept of strict centralization, which today does not allow unauthorized use rocket, no matter in whose hands she was not.

Modifications to the rocket:

·        X-55 (item 120, BWR-500, AS-15)

·        X-55-OK (article 124)

·        X 55cm (article 125, RKV-500B, AS-15b) - extended range.

·        X-65 - tactical modification of the X-55 with conventional warheads

·        X-555 - deep modernization of the X-55.Reduced ESR and improved navigation.Range increased to nearly 5000 km.In October 1999, were test launches of new strategic cruise missiles X-555, followed by the Russian government has decided to expand their production.

After the Soviet collapse of missiles and aircraft carriers remained outside Russia, particularly in Ukraine and Kazakhstan.In late 1999, 575 cruise missiles, air-launched Kh-55 and X 55 cm was delivered from Ukraine to Russia by rail in debt for gas supplies.

Article from magazine "M-Hobby"

Viktor MARKOV Konstantin Perov
Soviet air-launched cruise missiles X-55
Figures Milyachenko B.
Drawings II Prihodchenko
Photos of the author's archive

The first series cruise missile Kh-55 was transferred to the customer December 14, 1980.Meanwhile, the full code test were the aircraft carrier for the aerospace industry.It was decided to use as a vehicle developed by TU-160 and modernized Tu-95, who was then the basis for strategic air forces (the same way as the U.S. cruise missile carriers planned for the newest B-1 and extensive editing of the park-52).
 

In July 1977, Tupolev was a draft version of a missile-carrying on the most perfect model of anti-TU-142M, equipping it with a new sighting and navigation system and launchers for 12 Kh-55.All they had to be placed inside the fuselage.Later, given the complexity and volume of such improvements, it was decided that a single launcher to 6 missiles in gruzootseke and, in the transshipment option, additional underwing suspension for another 10 X-55.
As the first prototype was used by Tu-95M-5 № 601, issued fifteen years ago and tested as part of and not taken from the complex missile DAC-5.Who took almost a year included the installation of improvements starting MKU-6-5 gruzootseke, hardware and training of missile launches AMS-95 "oak" and a new navigation system.The first flight of the Tu-95M-55 was held July 31, 1978.Total for this car to the top in 1982 were carried out 107 flights and carried 10 launches of the X-55.The aircraft was lost in the crash January 28, 1982 on takeoff from Zhukovsky because of an error the pilot NE Kulchitsky.Heavy machine fell into the dumping, burying all ten crew members.
By this time it flew prototypes of mass-produced Tu-95MS.The first of these, at first called non-TU-142MS, Taganrog Aviation Plant was converted from serial Tu-142MK and flew on September 14, 1979.It was followed by Tu-95MS mass production brought out to test the complex in the spring of 1982.Aircraft different modified cockpit, revamped gruzootseke, installing more powerful engines NK-12MP, modified electrical system, radar, etc.The crew of the Tu-95MS was 7 people, including the navigator-operator, responsible for preparing and launching missiles.Since the beginning of 1983 due to congestion of Taganrog factory orders and other inadequate production capacity, production of Tu-95MS bombers moved to Kuibyshev.
The first launch of X-55 series, timed to the Day of the Soviet Army, was made February 23, 1981.The work is important and revealing and hiding, was made a test missile crew coming from the Semipalatinsk airport.Happened in the presence of many high officials, the event was not without excitement - on the eve of a 40-degree cold in a rocket flowed one element of the tank, which had to replace an urgent call from the factory with an experienced aircraft fitter.He had to work directly under the plane, rolled up his sleeves to get into the cramped compartment.Saving worked from frostbite, he continually blew warm air from the heater airfield.September 3, 1981 made a start with the first zachetny serial machines Tu-95MS number 1.In March the following year he was joined by a second plane, stay on base in the Air Force Research Axhtubinsk to continue the state tests.
Envisaged the possibility of equipping the aircraft underwing suspension led to production of two variants of the Tu-95 MS-6, carrying a six X-55 gruzootseke for multi-site installation of ejection MKU-6-5 and TU-95MS-16, an additional ten more armed missiles - two on inner under-wing catapult installations AKU-2 in the fuselage and three - on foreign installations AAA-3, located between the engines.Bailout missiles, throw them at a sufficient distance from the aircraft and the disturbed air flow around it, carried a pneumatic pusher, cleaning them back - hydraulics.After starting the drum is rotated for ISU, giving the starting position the next rocket.
Modernization of Tu-95MS bombers had been given to government decree in June 1983.Equipment preparation and launch, "Aspen," standing on the production aircraft, replaced by more modern K-016 "Octopus", with a unified used on the Tu-160 and operates with a large number of missiles.Aft gun mount with two AM-23 was replaced by a new UCF-9K-502-2 with dual GS-23, were installed new communications and electronic warfare.

Since 1986, the company launched production of upgraded aircraft.Total up to 1991 Air Force received 27 Tu-95MS-6, and 56 Tu-95MS-16 (the number is given according to the START-1), several cars had to pass to the customer within the next year.
Test launches of X-55 carried almost the entire range of flight regimes carrier with height from 200 m to 10 km.For a given value of CEP is not more than 100 m in a number of start-ups able to achieve remarkable results in hitting the target with a deviation of only 20-30 m, which gave reason to characterize the X-55 in reporting as "extremely accurate."On the test was achieved in the planned launch range of 2500 km, about which, as a warning to the West, in August 1984 it was officially announced in the Soviet press.
December 31, 1983 airborne missile system, which included the aircraft carrier Tu-95MS bombers and cruise missiles X-55, was officially adopted for use.First to the development of a new complex started in Semipalatinsk 1223rd TBAP, to December 17, 1982 came two new Tu-95MS (at the same time, with a break of a week in the U.S. Air Force readiness has reached the first part of the B-52H equipped with missiles ALCM - 42nd bomber wing at the base Loring on the U.S. east coast).Already in February, crews began practicing Regiment launches X-55 (the term itself is quite remarkable - usually during the transition to new equipment for combat use was starting only a year and a half).This is due to well thought-out and technological complex with a high degree of automation, which simplifies the testing and preparation for launch.From 1984 to retraining in the Tu-95MS took adjoining 1226-D TBAP same Semipalatinsk 79th TBAD.The objectives were based in Kazakhstan regiments were strategic targets in China, the U.S. naval base in the Indian Ocean and in the U.S. for the attack which provided relocation and deployment of a shock aviagruppirovki in a period of threat on the ground in the Arctic and Maritime, which offers the shortest route to the Americas .This period also witnessed equipping regiments of Tu-95MS YES in the European part of Russia - 1006-th TBAP in Uzin, near Kiev, and 182 th gv.TBAP Mozdok, included in the 106-th TBAD.In the division focused solely improved Tu-95MS-16.At much higher impact opportunities, "Chargers sixteen" Tu-95MS-16 had such a lack of collateral, as a significant resistance to external suspensions, "consumes" the range from 10 thousand to six thousand miles, which is why they are not usually mounted and aircraft were flying only with the internal deployment of missiles.Usually limited to suspension of one missile.Provides the entire procedure, a full download option was for demonstration purposes in various tests and inspections.
In addition to repeatedly increased the combat capabilities of the complex, in operation revealed the practicality and convenience of the rocket itself in the work.In part, they were delivered in a fully ready-assembled, in sealed containers, provide long shelf life without any maintenance.To equip the aircraft with six X-55 experimental group consumed during arms about 45 minutes., Whereas the X-20 X-22 procedure for the preparation and the suspension takes 4 to 6 hours.Simply look refill, not to mention the pre-control and automated prelaunch cycle of data entry.This will seriously increase the intensity of combat training - almost everyone had a crew of yes to his credit not only to tactical training, but also practical launches X-55, and many had to shoot at the range up to a dozen missiles.
Areas of tactical launches were in the north, off the coast of Norway, Alaska and Canada, where the emergence of ballistic missile defense forced the nervous North American continent.The task of the crew was out in the settlement area, the correction of the location and development of tactical operations in start-up target point where the entire procedure was carried out on-board automation.
In the mid-80s in two divisions, YES, equipped with Tu-95MS cruise missile, was organized by the alert, for the objection that in each of the regiments stood outfit aircraft fully tucked and equipped to carry out combat missions received.At the same time in the structure of YES Telling division at the actual "Dalnik" carrying the service on the Tu-16 Tu-22 and Tu-22M, and part of the strategic nuclear forces (SNF) on the Tu-95MS bombers, capable of solving problems on a global scale with an intercontinental reach .In the course of the 1986 exercise, these forces have demonstrated their capabilities - a group of aircraft from Uzin Semipalatinsk and passed over the pole and appeared off the coast of the United States and Canada.Soon, a detachment of Tu-95MS completed a record 36-hour flight along the Soviet border, breaking with a refueling for more than 25 thousand km.
Receipt of the Tu-160 in the Air Force began in 1987.Experienced machine rose into the air December 18, 1981 (the eve of the birthday of Leonid Brezhnev's), and series production was launched at the Kazan aircraft plant.If the development of the Tu-95MS bombers had serious problems with accommodation on board the required stock of missiles, then the Tu-160 such difficulties do not arise.275-tonner first link under the arms of heavy supersonic Kh-45, had impressive size and weight.They identified two dimensions gruzootseke, the size of a railroad car each.From the X-45 was abandoned in favor of more efficient cruise missiles, but did not alter gruzootseke.In the 11th longest in each of them with "stock" posted MKU-6-5U with six X-55, and the estimated 40-ton combat load allowed to carry weapons from the normal version of 12 rockets without any restrictions on fuel and take-off weight .
Because of the missile system, whose objective guidance with respect to the launch pad was built, literally serves as a starting point for the ANN, the issues of accurate navigation acquired decisive importance - most of the routes and settlement areas was starting over bezorientirnymi ocean and ice expanses.In addition to navigation and targeting radar "chart to" Tu-160 was equipped with a navigation system astroinertial long-range K-042K, later augmented and satellite positioning system.
The first Tu-160 came in April 1987 in the 184th gv.TBAP, who was in Priluki in the Ukraine.Three months later, on August 1, the crew commander of a regiment V. Grebennikov completed the first part of the launch of the X-55.He was followed by other crews, and tactical and real launches were carried out often enough, visible evidence of this were not the only entry in the books the flight, but also stacks of missile containers at the warehouse.In the course of combat training with one of the planes had shot seven missiles, the other "side" had to account for 3-4 start.For development of the complex is one of the most titled in YES 184th Guards.hordes.Red Banner of the Poltava-Berlin TBAP in 1988 was awarded the Order of Lenin, which was an isolated incident in the Air Force after the war.
In the operation of missile system introduced several innovations that contributed to the improvement of combat readiness.Thus, if the first DA in all the missiles were on special bases and team were taken out on site training (CPD), where they took place and verification equipment for X-55 provided a deposit is prepared for the suspension of the 1st of ammunition at once at rest, in concreted shelter, dug in the earthen dike around the parking lot, where they were served within minutes to the aircraft.In a few minutes and check the equipment was packed rockets built by means of control.Compact X-55 favorably with low weight and size - if necessary, the rocket plane would have to roll up and one man.
Features low-altitude air defense intercept cruise missiles, especially when their mass application to the mid 80-iesassessed as not high - so, one of the most effective measures seemed defensive anti-aircraft fire.The defending party provided set before themselves the task of timely intercept missile to the "separation of purpose" that the launch range at 2500-3500 km was more than problematic - planes should have detected before entering these lines, put them on the fighters (requiring refueling or use made airfields) and ahead of time to intercept.
Assumed to be building a hundred Tu-160 (the same as a planned C-1 American).However, perestroika "devastation" that followed the economic and economic problems, and behind them, and the collapse of the Soviet Union limited the number received in the 184th TBAP aircraft 21 units (2 of them were machines earlier release, quickly lost their life and not numbered among the combat-ready).According to the agreement on limiting strategic offensive arms, signed in July 1991, the number of cruise missiles, air-based (referred to as such missiles with ranges over 600 kilometers, or X-55 X 55cm), which could have the USSR, 1440 .Contract carefully prescribed many of the details: since each missile Tu-95MS is assigned a quota of 8 missiles and, therefore, BSc them with a total of 672 pieces.
With the collapse of the Soviet Union in Russia was only a small part of the former Air Force strategic - two dozen Tu-95MS in Mozdok.Save a single strategic group of the Armed Forces could not, moreover, in the division found that stationed in the North Caucasus regiment is formally subordinate to the rest of the Ukraine and a half thousand kilometers of air divisions, the very name of which now sounded mockingly - 106th TBAD behalf of the 60-year-old USSR!All other submarines with missiles and nuclear warheads were in Kazakhstan and Ukraine, which are, respectively, 40 Tu-95MS in Semipalatinsk, 25 - and 21 in Uzin Tu-160 - in Priluki.Together with the aircraft on Ukrainian missile bases were 1068 X-55.
Obviously, neither Kazakhstan nor Ukraine submarines are not needed - this is in the responsibility to make their ministries of defense, who thought that "they have nowhere to fly and, moreover, has no funds for their maintenance."On the military training it was certainly not due to a lack of trained ranges (and soon pilots).
With Kazakhstan was able to negotiate quickly, exchanging heavy bombers to the Russian side proposed fighter and attack aircraft.By February 19, 1994 all the Tu-95MS bombers were flown to airfields in the Far East, where they were equipped with the 182-th and 79 th TBAP.Negotiations with Ukraine for a long time dragged on and seemed to never end.In the end, on account of debts for gas by the Ukrainian side were handed three Tu-95MS bombers and eight Tu-160 flew in Engels in February 2000 together with the contract provides for the transfer of 575 cruise missiles (according to other reports, this number included only 114 X-55, others were X-22).The remaining vehicles waiting for the sad fate - in accordance with the START II treaty, Ukraine as of December 2001 was to get rid of strategic bombers, and they went for scrap, along with the remaining weapons.
The Russian Air Force, after a series of transformations, all the forces were merged into YES 37th VA.In its structure by July 2001 there were 63 Tu-95MS with outstanding behind them 504 X-55, and 15 Tu-160.With the many challenges and is extremely small plaque "Dalnik 'combat training is continuing, including the implementation of long-range flights, with the work of the Arctic airfields Tiksi, Anadyr, and Norilsk, and missile firing.
The first practical start X 55cm on board the Tu-160 Russian Air Force colonel was executed crew AD Zhikhareva October 22, 1992.In June 1994, four Tu-95MS and Tu-160 took part in the exercise of strategic nuclear forces of Russia, having worked tactical launches over the North Sea and then doing the actual shooting of X 55cm at the landfill from the aircraft of Lieutenant Colonel S. Danilchenko.In September 1998 a group of four Tu-95MS bombers of the 184th Regiment were produced launches X-55 site in the Northern Fleet Chizha where rockets were 1,500 km from the target.During the exercise, "West 99" in June 1999, a pair of Tu-95MS bombers from Engels completed a 15-hour flight, when you come to Iceland, and on the way back made a start on the X-55 learning goals in the Caspian region.In October 2002 the crew of the Tu-160 Lieutenant Colonel J. Deineko a night flight route passed over polar regions, following the regular practice starting X 55cm.May 14, 2003 four Tu-95MS bombers and six Tu-160 took part in the exercises, covering the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean.Launches X-55 on board the Tu-95MS Engels again performed in the course of the strategic command training ground, air and sea strategic nuclear forces in February 2004.
Non-nuclear version of the X-55 was designated X-555.The new missile was equipped with an inertial-Doppler guidance system, combining the old with the correction of relief optoelectronic correlator and the possibility of satellite navigation.Its accuracy characteristics described the order of 20 m. The equipment provided for the possibility of X-555 several types of warheads, depending on the task - to defeat the explosive penetration of shelters and protected with the objectives or cluster fragmentation, high explosive or shaped-charge submunitions to strike the vulgar and the extended targets .Non-nuclear warhead for the transition has caused some problems - still was a fairly compact spetszaryad and weighed a little while conventional warhead of this mass is too weak and require strengthening.Saving acceptable weight was achieved through a reduction of fuel load and therefore reduced to 2,000 km range (which angered the customer).
Ultimately, the more massive warhead and new equipment have increased the starting mass X-555 to 1,280 kg.To preserve the distance was proposed, in addition to the basic version, equipped with X-555 conformal external fuel tanks with 220 kg of fuel.
In October 1999 it was decided to deploy the production of new missiles X-101.In describing their capabilities, Air Force Commander gave an example: "A Tu-160 with a dozen of these missiles capable of solving the problem before to require the whole regiment."Tests of the complex began in October 1998 and, according to the same Commander, "a new high-precision missile for the Strategic Air Command" was to go into service in 2003.Since the autumn of 1999 and planned to begin renovations on the type of carrier Tu-95MSM.Despite the increased size and weight of missile, Tu-95MSM retains the ability to carry up to 6 X 101 gruzootseke and up to 8 - under the wing.At two in the ISU gruzootseke Tu-160 can be placed up to 12 X-101.
Another focus was the medium-range missile program X-65 based on X-55, designed to hit targets with known coordinates at a distance of 580-600 km.Financial and economic difficulties of recent years was not allowed to implement these plans and stalled progress of the program.Did not result in the interest of foreign customers and offer export options X-65SE - quite predictable in the absence of background samples and brought them media.
 

To improve the quality of surface finish were stained with X-55 airless hydrodynamic coating, which gives a mirror-smooth layer.Basic color - white, stencils and a support tool tray - black, leveling point - red.

X 55cm painted in the same way as the X-55 Performance lettering and stencils - red and black.