Russia's Tu-95MSM is Back & Deadlier Than Ever

In a significant development for Russia's strategic air power, Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov revealed in November 2024 that the legendary Tu-95 "Bear" bomber has undergone extensive modernization into the Tu-95MSM variant. This historic aircraft, which first took flight 45 years ago, remains the world's fastest turboprop aircraft and the only mass-produced turboprop bomber in existence.

The modernization program incorporates several critical upgrades:

Integration of advanced aviation weaponry, including ultra-long-range cruise missiles
New Novella-NV1.021 radar system replacing the older Obzor-MS
Enhanced Meteor-NM2 onboard defense complex
Updated NK-12MPM turboprop engines and AV-60T propellers
Modern SOI-021 information display system
Advanced navigation and communication systems
Improved astro-navigation system (ANS-2009)

Performance Specifications:

Maximum operational range: 15,000 kilometers
Payload capacity: 20,000 kg
Armament: Up to 8 Kh-101/Kh-102 cruise missiles
Power: Four NK-12MP engines producing 15,000 horsepower each
Crew complement: Seven members

Strategic Advantages:

Lower fuel consumption compared to jet-powered alternatives
Reduced heat signature for better satellite evasion
Extended service life and improved reliability
Enhanced takeoff and landing characteristics
Superior navigation accuracy

The modernization program validates Russia's commitment to maintaining its strategic bomber fleet through the 2030s, though the planned introduction of 50 Tu-160Ms may gradually reduce its prominence. The Tu-95MSM represents a fascinating blend of Cold War heritage and modern military technology, demonstrating how Soviet-era designs can be adapted to meet contemporary strategic requirements.

Background: Originally developed during the Stalin era in the 1950s as a response to America's B-36 Peacemaker, the Tu-95 has evolved from a simple strategic bomber into a sophisticated missile carrier. Its latest incarnation, the Tu-95MSM, has been battle-tested and further improved based on operational experience from recent military operations, cementing its position as a cornerstone of Russia's strategic aviation fleet.

The first flight tests of the modernized Tu-95MSM began at the Beriev Aircraft Company airfield in Taganrog on August 22, 2020, marking a new chapter in the aircraft's storied history. This successful 2-hour and 33-minute test flight at 9,000 meters demonstrated the viability of the modernization program and set the stage for the bomber's continued service in Russia's aerospace forces.

#Tu95MSM #RussianBomber #StrategicBomber

 

[garryb]

For its main strategic mission its level of stealth is irrelevant. It would take them 6 to 8 hours to fly to their launch positions which, with the nuclear armed Kh-102 could be 5, 000km away. By the time they reach those launch positions the Russian ICBMs and SLBMs would have done immense damage to the targeted country so their ability to detect a bomber 4, 000km plus away or the low flying cruise missile delivering a nuclear warhead is going to be very close to zero. Note the Tu-95SMS can carry 10 Kh-102 missiles on five weapon pylons under each wing but can also carry 6 Kh-55SM missiles on an internal rotary weapon bay. The rotary launcher is designed to carry 6m long missiles so the Kh-101 and Kh-102 don't fit as they are 7.4m long, but the external weapon pylons allow any length missile to be carried and used. On a strategic mission the internal rotary missile launcher might carry the next gen replacement for the Kh-15 short range attack missile. The new missile is supposed to be a 1, 500km range hypersonic scramjet powered missile designed to destroy ground based air defences or groups of enemy interceptor aircraft in flight with a nuclear warhead.

[jeffhedrich]

Can you do an episode covering the AV60T propeller that you mentioned? I can’t find much info about that. I’m interesting in what could possibly be changed to make it better. Thanks

[stephenwhelan]

An interesting video on a classic aircraft. A pity about the erroneous click bait title “the west is terrified”. It’s not.

[josephszot]

Every aircraft has a weak point, what is that on the great TU-95?

[paputzaadiy]

Is this aircraft model ever in combat on a real battlefield?