Russian troops often use the Tu-95 aircraft to bomb Ukrainian cities.
ICTV Facts found out what is known about the Russian Tu-95 aircraft and what missiles it can carry.
Tu-95 aircraft: history
This is a strategic missile-carrying bomber. It was developed and adopted for service in the 1950s.
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It was at that time that the USSR insisted on the need to have its own strategic intercontinental bomber.
The fact is that the United States was already armed with the Convair B-36 , which could reach the borders of the USSR, which threatened the existence of the Soviet Union. Therefore, it was decided to develop an analogue of the American bomber.
The first production aircraft began entering service in 1956 at the airfield in Uzin, Ukraine.
The Tu-95 became one of the symbols of the Cold War. By the way, he also found Stalin. It is this aircraft that still remains the main strategic missile carrier of the Russian Aerospace Forces.
Features and use of Tu-95
Photo: Getty Images
The main purpose of the aircraft is the destruction of strategic targets behind enemy lines, in any weather conditions and at any time of the day.
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Another main role assigned to the Tu-95 is a missile carrier . The aircraft can carry up to six missiles in an internal drum assembly.
The bomber is equipped with the world's most powerful NK-12 turboprop engines. The turbine and gearbox of this motor have a record high efficiency.
According to the Russian Federation, the bomber is equipped with the world's most powerful NK-12 turboprop engines. The turbine and gearbox of this engine have a record high efficiency.
However, according to military expert Alexander Kovalenko , the Russians always exaggerate the characteristics of their aircraft and the real capabilities of the engines.
— The NK-12 engine used in the Tu-95 was developed in the 1950s. Since then it has been modernized. The Russians tried to constantly improve it, so there are a large number of modifications, the expert adds.
Kovalenko adds that it is difficult to call the NK-12 engine the most powerful in the world, since the entire Russian engine program is in the stage of degradation.
– Their engines are not high-tech enough, since the Russians exclusively use an element of the Soviet past, which they are trying to adapt to the present. In the 1950s, the NK-12 engine was one of the most powerful, but now it definitely does not meet modern requirements! – adds the military expert.
The Tu-95 has many modifications, but now the Russian army is armed with the Tu-95MS and Tu-95MSM.
What missiles does the Tu-95 carry?
- Tu-95MSM can carry the more modern Kh-101 cruise missile.
- All other models are only capable of carrying Soviet Kh-55 or Kh-555 missiles.
By the way, the Kh-101 missile does not fit into the internal compartment with a drum launcher, so the Tu-95MSM can carry these missiles exclusively on an external sling.
Performance characteristics of the Tu-95
Photo: Getty Images
- The length of the aircraft is 49 m.
- Height – 13 m.
- Wing area – 310 m2.
- Wing sweep – 35°.
- Maximum flight speed is 1,000 km/h.
- Starting weight – 160 thousand kg.
- Flight range – 15 thousand km.
Characteristics of Tu-95MS
- Crew – 7 people.
- Length – 49.09 m.
- Wingspan – 50.04 m.
- Maximum take-off weight – 185 thousand.
- Maximum speed is 830 km/h.
- Combat load – up to six Kh-55/555 cruise missiles in an internal drum installation.
In turn, Tu-95MSM aircraft can carry the more modern Kh-101 cruise missile, but on an external sling.
Use in the war against Ukraine
On March 11, 2022, about six Tu-95MS aircraft launched ten cruise missiles over the Dnieper, Ivano-Frankivsk and Lutsk.
On the afternoon of April 23, 2022, TU-95 aircraft launched several cruise missiles (previously Kh-555 or Kh-101) from the Caspian Sea. Two of them were shot down by Ukrainian air defense units.
Unfortunately, not all missiles were destroyed. Missiles launched from a Tu-95 hit a military facility and a residential building in Odessa. At least five deaths are known.
On December 5, 2022, the head of the Nikolaev regional military administration , Vitaly Kim , announced that the Russians had launched 14 Tu-95 bombers into the air.
“14 PeTUkh-95s in the air (as I understand it, 6-8 less than planned), he wrote on Telegram.
Kim urged Ukrainians to remain calm and not panic.
On the morning of February 10, 2023, Russia scrambled Tu-95 strategic bombers . Airplanes can carry cruise missiles on board. Therefore, there is a great threat of a missile strike.
At around 04:00 on May 9, 2023, the Russians launched 17 Kh-101/Kh-555 air-launched cruise missiles from strategic aircraft – four Tu-95MS from the Caspian region.
