Flight tests of the first built “from scratch” Tu-160M “White Swan” are scheduled for 2022. The head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov said this in an interview with Interfax.
“Serial production of new Tu-160Ms has already been launched at the plant in Kazan. We expect that the first such vehicle will be tested next year, ”Manturov said.
The Tu-160M aircraft is a modernization of the Tu-160 strategic bomber, which has been used for military purposes since 1987. A new weapon system has been installed on the Tu-160M. As noted in the Ministry of Defense, it will allow the use of advanced cruise missiles and bombs. The new bomber also completely replaced the electronic and aviation equipment. In February 2020, the Tu-160M made its first demonstration flight.
The Tu-160 supersonic strategic bomber-bomber was put into service in 1987. The aircraft has set 46 different world records. Russian military aviation currently operates 18 aircraft of this series.
