Tweet
On April 29 representatives of the Kazan Aircraft Production Association presented the 121st Heavy Bomber Regiment of the Russian Air Force's 37th Army with a brand-new Tupolev Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bomber.
The warplane is named after Vitaly Kopylov, who headed the company from 1973 to1993.
Russia now has 16 front-line Tu-160 bombers, each of which can carry 12 X-55 subsonic nuclear-tipped cruise missiles with a range of more than 1,800 miles. Each bomber can carry up to 40 metric tons of ordnance, including conventional X-55 missiles.
More here: http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Outs...power_999.html
The warplane is named after Vitaly Kopylov, who headed the company from 1973 to1993.
Russia now has 16 front-line Tu-160 bombers, each of which can carry 12 X-55 subsonic nuclear-tipped cruise missiles with a range of more than 1,800 miles. Each bomber can carry up to 40 metric tons of ordnance, including conventional X-55 missiles.
More here: http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Outs...power_999.html
The following part of the story seems to contradict the last story where the Russians were complaining that the NATO fighters were too aggressive. They can't have it both ways.
Their crews conduct bombing runs over Russian territory. Russian strategic bombers flying routine missions in the North Atlantic are shadowed by NATO fighters.
Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin, commander in chief of the Russian air force, said this was also a good way to train NATO crews.
Both sides do their best to avoid direct confrontation. The NATO pilots keep their distance. In fact, the professionalism of Russian and Western air crews has so far prevented any emergencies.
The media sometimes report incidents involving Russian bombers buzzing U.S. aircraft carriers. According to Gen. Zelin, Russian pilots do not violate any international agreements or safety precautions.
Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin, commander in chief of the Russian air force, said this was also a good way to train NATO crews.
Both sides do their best to avoid direct confrontation. The NATO pilots keep their distance. In fact, the professionalism of Russian and Western air crews has so far prevented any emergencies.
The media sometimes report incidents involving Russian bombers buzzing U.S. aircraft carriers. According to Gen. Zelin, Russian pilots do not violate any international agreements or safety precautions.
