Aircraft
Russian Defense Minister’s Call to Resume Tu-160 Production
The capabilities embedded in the design of swing-wing supersonic bomber–the Blackjack–are not yet fully exploited.
According to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, the Tu-160 design represents the best supersonic bomber ever built.
According to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, the Tu-160 design represents the best supersonic bomber ever built.

“Right now, we need to address not only keeping our long-range aviation assets intact through repair and upgrade, but also resuming production of the Tu-160,” said Russian defense minister Gen. Sergei Shoigu. He spoke to the factory management and their superiors from the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), who accompanied him on an inspection of Kazan’s Aircraft Production Organization (KAPO) on April 29. Shoigu was referring to the Tupolev Tu-160 swing-wing supersonic bomber–the world’s largest combat jet ever, NATO codename Blackjack. “The Tu-160 is a unique machine, which when it first appeared was decades ahead of its time. Even now, the capabilities embedded in her design are not yet fully exploited. Nobody else has invented a better supersonic bomber design,” he said.


Loading…