The Tu-60 is a Russian supersonic variable-geometry heavy bomber designed during the Soviet Union era. The NATO reporting name of Blackjack is the unclassified code name for military equipment of the Eastern Bloc (Soviet Union, Warsaw pact and China). The Tu-160 is similar to the American B-1 Lancer, however the Blackjack has significantly larger payloads and can travel faster at the same altitude and is generally superior. The Tu-160 is the last strategic bomber designed by the Soviet Union and remains in production with at least 6 in service with the Russian Air Force who nicknamed it the "White Swan" due to its maneuverability and brilliant white colour used to reflect some of the thermal radiation from a nuclear explosion. During the cold war era, the Blackjack was the most feared weapon of the US Carrierss as they could approach at high speeds, deliver their payloads and exit the area before being intercepted.
In September 2008, two Tu-160 were intercepted off the coast of Iceland by USAF F-15C stationed at Keflavik, as they were on route to El Libertador Air Base in Venezuela. The two aircraft in question, Red 07 Aleksadr Molodchoy and Red 11 Vasiliy Senko came from the Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment at Engels Air Base near Saratov. The deployment of the Tu-160 coincides with the joint air and naval exercises and the arrival of the Russian President to Venezuela. During the 13 hour flight the pair were initially escorted by Su-27s but later intercepted by NATO F-15 and F-16 fighters over the artic and Atlantic Oceans. The Blackjacks participated in a number of strategic exercises over the Caribbean Sea and flew towards Brazil and along the coast of South America. This exercise may be related to the US Navy re-activation of the 4th fleet in the summer of 2008 which prompted alarm from a number of Latin American countries including Brazil.
General characteristics
- Crew: 4 (pilot, co-pilot, bombardier, defensive systems operator)
- Length: 54.1 m (177 ft 6 in)
- Wingspan:
- Spread (20° sweep): 55.70 m (189 ft 9 in)
- Swept (65° sweep): 35.60 m (116 ft 10 in)
- Height: 13.10 m (43 ft 0 in)
- Wing area:
- Spread: 400 m² (4,310 ft²)
- Swept: 360 m² (3,875 ft²)
- Empty weight: 110 t (242,000 lb)
- Loaded weight: 267 t (590,000 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 275 t (606,000 lb)
- Powerplant: 4× Kuznetsov NK-321 turbofans
- Dry thrust: 137 kN (30,900 lbf) each
- Thrust with afterburner: 245 kN (55,100 lbf) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: Mach 2.05[25] (2,220 km/h, 1,380 mph, 1,200 knots) at high altitude
- Range: 17,400 km (9,400 nm, 10,800 mi) unrefueled
- Combat radius: 10,500 km (5,670 NM, 6,500 mi)
- Service ceiling 15,000 m (49,200 ft)
- Rate of climb: 70 m/s (13,860 ft/min)
- Wing loading: 743 k
Comparable aircraft
