The Tupolev 160 [Tu-160]
NATO designation: Blackjack

The Tupolev "Blackjack" is Russia's most modern strategic bomber. It is a direct contender to the United State's B-1 "Lancer", and they are both similar in design. Regardless of the similarities in design, the Tupolev is significantly larger, faster with a much larger combat range and arnament capacity. It is the largest combat aircraft ever built. Russian pilot's have nicknamed the Tu-160 as "The White Swan" due to it's impressive manouverability and it's white colour. There are at least 16 "Blackjacks" in service with the VVS [Военно-воздушные cилы/Russian Air Force].

but this great feat of avionics has been superseded by the b2...

Has there ever been an occasion on this forum when somebody just shuts up and appreciates something coming from Russia?

EDIT: Can one of the Moderators please move this to the images/movies section? I accidentally posted it in Milnews...

maybe if you stopped pushing it so hard
lol

actually In not sure that the B2 has actually surpassed this
obviously the b2 is technologically miles ahead
but they are made for different roles
B2 is more strategic 'getting in deep and destroying a specific target'
This and B1 are more 'Billy...theres nothing left' carpet bombing-esque

Or maybe when people stop being so biased.

Zastaba, this has nothing to do with "biased":

- This guy has been *conceived* in the Soviet Union in 1967 (fielded ´77-81 depending on source), as a match to (and winning out) the BUFF (in it´s *strategical* role; in its specs it was far ahead with its Mach 2.3 and a spec response to the American B-70 Valkyrie and B-1).

- Like the BUFF it´s going through modifications ever since, and might be up to B-1 standard, but - apart from speed - nothing more:

From Wikipedia:

In 2006, the Russian Air Force was expected to receive five modernized and one new-built Tu-160.[19] The Russian Air Force will receive a further five modernized Tu-160s each year, which means that modernization of the fleet could be achieved within three years if the schedule is kept up.[20]
Changes announced as follows:

• completely digital, multireserved, neutron and other nuclear emissions resistant avionics
• full support of cruising and steering through GLONASS global satellite positioning system
• updated version of NK-32 engines with increased reliability. [20]
• ability to operate new nuclear/non-nuclear GLONASS-navigated cruise missiles (Kh-55). [21]
• ability to handle missiles that launch military or civil satellites [22]
• ability to bear laser-guided bombs [23]
• advanced radar emissions absorbing covering [24]

Rattler

Originally Posted by Zastava-Arms

Or maybe when people stop being so biased.

Obviously you were too young to appreciate that when the Soviet Union fell in a heap a few years back, many things were learnt by the west, and probably one of the most glaring was that in general terms Soviet technology was "more show than go".

Yes, it had it's good points like simplicity, but it's record for reliability was crap, most of this seemed to stem from a lack of quality control.This had always been suspected from previous experience with other civilian exports, but we were never sure thinking that military production might be somewhat more closely controlled. This was generally found not to be the case. They offset lack of reliability with large production.

I have little doubt that the Russkies have the technology, but for the moment rather than to implement it, they seem to cater for an untrained "peasant Army", which may be best suited to their needs.

That thing is a beautiful beast. I hope to hell I never see one above me.

Originally Posted by major liability

That thing is a beautiful beast. I hope to hell I never see one above me.

Me too!!!