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This editable Main Article is under development and subject to a disclaimer.

[edit intro]

Tu-160/NATO: BLACKJACK are modern Russian strategic bomber aircraft. Originally produced between 1980 to 1992, the production line is open again, and delivered a new aircraft in May 2000. 14 aircraft are now in service in Russia. Existing aircraft are undergoing major avionics upgrades and new cruise missile; the first upgraded aircraft was delivered in July 2006.[1]

There are similarities between the Tu-160 and U.S. B-1 Lancer. Both are supersonic, with intercontinental range with air refueling. Both have variable-geometry wings, and, while not a stealthy design like the B-2 Spirit, present a smaller radar cross-section, especially in the engines, than older bombers such as the B-52 or Tu-95/NATO:BEAR.[2] Note that the Tu-160, however, is considered, in arms control agreements, to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, but the B-1 and Tu-22M are not.

## Weapons[edit]

The maximum payload is 80,000 pounds of bombs, missiles, and presumably penetration aids. It can carry missiles, not all of which may be in production, including:

* Kh-55MS/NATO: AS-15 KENT nuclear air launched cruise missile and Kh-555 conventionally armed version of the Kh-55[3]
* Kh-101 stealth cruise missile with terminal electro-optical guidance and Kh-102 nuclear version [4]
* Kh-15P/NATO: AS-16 Kickback [1]
* Kh-SD, a subsonic. shorter-ranged version of the Kh-101, with land and sea seekers[5]
* Kh-41 medium range supersonic sea-skimming anti-shipping missile, the air-launched version of the (NATO) SS-N-22

The KH-55 and Kh-55 are to the U.S. AGM-86 ALCM in nuclear and conventional versions, as the Kh-102 and Kh-101 is to the cancelled U.S. AGM-129 ACM stealthy cruise missile.

## References[edit]

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Tu-160 Blackjack Strategic Bomber, Russia", Air Force Technology
2. ↑ Juniper, Andrew, Tupolev Tu160 Blackjack
3. ↑ "Kh-555", Globalsecurity.org
4. ↑ "Kh-101/Kh-102", Globalsecurity.org
5. ↑ "Raduga Kh-65 / Kh-SD", Globalsecurity.org