Russia to Upgrade Over 10 Tu-160 Bombers

EvilAztec · Feb 21, 2012

Russia to Upgrade Over 10 Tu-160 Bombers by 2020
The Russian Air Force will receive more than 10 modernized Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bombers by 2020, the Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.
According to official data, Russia has at least 16 Tu-160 aircraft in service. There are plans to increase their number to 30.
The Tu-160 in service with the Air Force are already undergoing modernization, Air Force spokesman Col. Vladimir Drik said. We are planning to receive more than 10 aircraft of this type.
The Tu-160 is a supersonic, variable-geometry heavy bomber, designed to strike strategic targets with nuclear and conventional weapons deep in continental theaters of operation.
The modernized version, Tu-160M, features new weaponry, improved electronics and avionics, which double its combat effectivness.
The upgraded aircraft will remain in service until a fifth-generation strategic bomber is developed, the Air Force officials earlier said.
Russia will also modernize about 30 Tu-22M3 Backfire-C strategic bombers to a Tu-22M3M variant by 2020.
http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20120207/171200584.html

http://en.rian.ru/infographics/20100615/159430934.html

raymondo · Feb 21, 2012

ROFL again
By 2020 the Federation will have gone .

" The two bombers are ready comrade , but can the Arabs fly this old fashioned machine"
All American planes will be flown automatically without pilots by then .

waltky · Jun 15, 2014

Uncle Ferd says dey tryin' to see if dey can get close enough to drop an EMP on us...

Russian nuclear-capable bombers intercepted off California coast
June 12, 2014 ~ A spokesperson for the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) confirmed this week that a fleet of Russian bombers set off alarms in the United States after coming within 50 miles of Californias Pacific coast.

Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, a spokesman for NORAD, told Washington Free Beacon reporter Bill Gertz that a pair of Tu-95 Bear H aircraft maintained by Russia came close to US airspace during practice bombing while four of the planes were conducting bombing runs near Alaska. According to Nuclear Threat Initiative nonprofit organization, Russia has 29 Tu-95 MS6 Bear H6s and 30 Tu-95 MS16 Bear H16s, which are equipped to fire both traditional and nuclear payloads at targets from the air.

David told the Beacon that this weeks incident occurred on Monday afternoon and was caught quickly by radar systems that monitored American air defense zones. The radar spotted all four Russian aircraft, he said, and two F-22 fighter jets used by the US Air Force were then mobilized to intercept the bombers. After tracking the bombers as they flew eastward, two of the four Bears turned around and headed west toward the Russian Far East, Gertz wrote. The remaining two nuclear-capable bombers then flew southeast and around 9:30 P.M. entered the US northern air defense zone off the coast of Northern California.

A Russian TU-95 bomber

Those two aircraft, he added, made it within 50 miles of the coast before turning around. The pilots, Davis told the Beacon, appeared to have acted professionally and that their behavior was on par with activity thats not unusual for long-range aviation training missions typically conducted by Russia during the summer months. Indeed, in recent weeks other Russian-owned Tu-95 bombers skirted UK airspace and have come close to US property in both Guam and California, The Aviationist reported last month. In March, Russias daily Nezavisimaya Gazeta, said the nations Strategic Missile Forces began a three-day drill to make sure there was sufficient readiness to conduct a nuclear offensive. We assess this was part of training, David added of this weeks incident, And they did not enter territorial airspace.

In spite of its age, David Cenciotti wrote for The Aviationist, the Tu-94 still represents a significant strategic weapon in Putins arsenal. Earlier this week, Russian drills intensified when the nations military began exercises in the Baltic that the Defense Ministry said was a response to recent exercises in eastern Europe conducted by NATO forces. Allied nations currently maintain a presence there, much to the chagrin of Moscow, as tensions along Ukraines border with Russia remain high. The US State Dept. reported last year that Russia may have an arsenal that contains as many as 1,400 operationally deployed strategic nuclear warheads and 894 deployed and non-deployed launchers.

http://rt.com/usa/165588-russia-nuclear-bombers-california/
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KGB agent · Jun 18, 2014

raymondo said: ↑

ROFL again
By 2020 the Federation will have gone .
Click to expand...

Didn't know things are that bad in Germany....
" The two bombers are ready comrade , but can the Arabs fly this old fashioned machine"

raymondo said: ↑

All American planes will be flown automatically without pilots by then .
Click to expand...

Taking into account that all "progress" USA had for 2 years was hanguar-queen F-22 and anti-insurgensy Reapers, I higly doubt it. Actually what you've said is a load of bollocks.

Also, nice to see you've mentioned USA instead of "Great" Britain. Admitting that it is irrelevant&backward (*)(*)(*)(*)hole?

waltky · Nov 5, 2014

Granny says dey's tryin' to start somethin'...

Are Russian Bombers Flying Nuclear Drills Near EuropeOr Just Testing NATOs Defenses?
10.30.14 ~ Nuclear-capable Russian bombers are flying over the North Sea and the Atlantic. And U.S. Air Force officers are very concerned at what could be a rehearsal of a deadly mission.

Russian bombers may be flying nuclear strike drills over the Atlantic Ocean and North Sea, current and former U.S. Air Force officers believe. At the very least, these officers tell The Daily Beast, the Russian Air Force is aggressively probing what NATO calls European airspace in an effort to gauge the reaction times of the western alliances defenses. Since Oct. 28, NATO air defenses have detected and monitored four groups of Russian combat aircraft over the Baltic Sea, North Sea, Atlantic Ocean, and Black Sea. Norwegian F-16 fighters intercepted one particular group of Russian aircraft on Oct. 29 that included four, nuclear-capable Tupolev Tu-95 Bear H strategic bombers and four Ilyushin Il-78 aerial refueling tankers. Once intercepted, six of the Russian aircraft headed for home while the two remaining Tu-95 bombers continued southwest, parallel to the Norwegian coast, before eventually turning back towards Russia.

The giant, propeller-driven Tu-95 is a launch platform for the 1,600 nautical mile range Raduga Kh-55 nuclear-tipped cruise missile. The weapon carries a 200-kiloton nuclear warhead; by comparison, the bomb that destroyed Nagasaki was a mere 21 kilotons. Some active-duty and retired U.S. Air Force officials told The Daily Beast that the Tu-95s might have been flying to certain predetermined launch points for their nuclear missiles. That could certainly be the case, said retired Air Force Lt. Gen. David Deptula, the services influential former intelligence chief. It is not farfetched that at some point within the next two years [Russian President Vladimir] Putin makes a more aggressive move in Eastern Europe and uses a nuclear threat to deter a NATO response.

Of course, every nuclear capable air force runs exercises to practice its so-called strategic deterrence. Its the pace and scale of these current flights that have military observers concerned. Our bomber crews regularly fly training sorties for their full range of potential missions, including strategic deterrence practice missions, Mark Gunzinger, a former B-52 pilot and current air power analyst the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, said. [The Russian Air Force] has never stopped flying training sorties, but its apparent that the scope of this one is catching peoples attention. Asked if at least some of these flights were nuclear drills, Gunzinger responded, that is probably the case.

Another former Air Force officerone with extensive experience with Russian tacticscautioned not to interpret either the European or Alaskan flights too darkly. A probe to test western responses, yes, the former officer wrote in an email. More activity than in the recent past, yes. Nuclear strike rehearsal, unlikely. Capabilities are easy to measure. Intent is not. Analyst Rebecca Grant, president of IRIS Independent Research, said that the recent display of Russian air power was just another provocation in a long line of similar antagonistic moves by Russia. The Russian strategic bomber foray into the Atlantic is also reminiscent of a September incident where two nuclear-capable Tu-95s bombers, two Il-78 tankers and two MiG-31 Foxhound fighters were intercepted near Alaska. This reminds me of the exercises Russia has been flying in the Pacific for a few years now, just transferred to the European theater, Grant said. I dont read this as a specific nuclear or conventional scenario practice, rather an exercise in long-range navigation and provocation. Its clearly designed to annoy NATO but from a purely tactical perspective, this was still a pretty small display of airpower.

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Aleksander Ulyanov · Nov 6, 2014

So they'll have 30 to our 66 supersonic bombers?

Igrok_ · Nov 9, 2014

Aleksander Ulyanov said: ↑

So they'll have 30 to our 66 supersonic bombers?
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Yes we will

mihapiha · Nov 12, 2014

Why is that important?

Is that extraordinary for some reason for a major power to update its air-force? Or is it just now important because of the Ukraine?

waltky · Nov 13, 2014

Granny says, "Dat's right - dem Russkies is tryin' to sneak up on us...

Russian bomber patrols to reach Gulf of Mexico
November 12, 2014 Russia's long-range bombers will conduct regular patrol missions from the Arctic Ocean to the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico, the military said Wednesday, a show of muscle reflecting tensions with the West over Ukraine.

A statement from Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu came as NATO's chief commander accused Moscow of sending new troops and tanks into Ukraine a claim quickly rejected by Russia. Shoigu said the tensions with the West over Ukraine would require Russia to also beef up its forces in the Crimea, the Black Sea Peninsula that Russia annexed in March. He said Russian long-range bombers will conduct flights along Russian borders and over the Arctic Ocean. He added that "in the current situation we have to maintain military presence in the western Atlantic and eastern Pacific, as well as the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico." He said that the increasing pace and duration of flights would require stronger maintenance efforts and relevant directives have been issued to industries.

Russian nuclear-capable strategic bombers were making regular patrols across the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans during Cold War times, but the post-Soviet money crunch forced the military to cut back. The bomber patrol flights have resumed under President Vladimir Putin's tenure. The patrols have become even more frequent in recent weeks with NATO reporting a spike in Russian military flights over the Black, Baltic and North seas as well as the Atlantic Ocean.

Earlier this year, Shoigu said that Russia plans to expand its worldwide military presence by seeking permission for navy ships to use ports in Latin America, Asia and elsewhere for replenishing supplies and doing maintenance. He said the military was conducting talks with Algeria, Cyprus, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Cuba, Seychelles, Vietnam and Singapore. Shoigu said Russia was also talking to some of those countries about allowing long-range bombers to use their air bases for refueling.

A senior U.S. military official said that Russia has not previously flown actual bomber patrols over the Gulf of Mexico, including during the Cold War. Long-range bombers have been in the area before, but only to participate in various visits to the region when the aircraft stopped over night at locations in South or Central America. During the Cold War, other types of Russian aircraft flew patrols there, including surveillance flights and anti-submarine aircraft.

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See also:

Russia has never flown bomber patrols over Gulf of Mexico before, US official claims
November 13, 2014 ~ Russias decision to send long-range strategic bombers on regular patrol missions across the Gulf of Mexico is unprecedented, a senior U.S. military official said Wednesday, claiming that the country has never done so before even during the Cold War.

The official, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to discuss the flights publicly, also said that the pace of Russian flights around North America, including the Arctic, have largely remained steady, with about five incidents per year. Long-range bombers have been in the area before, but only to participate in various visits to the region when the aircraft stopped over night at locations in South or Central America. During the Cold War, other types of Russian aircraft flew patrols there, including surveillance flights and anti-submarine aircraft.

Col. Steve Warren, a Pentagon spokesman, declined to call this a Russian provocation. The Russians have patrolled in the Gulf [of Mexico] in the past and weve seen the Russian Navy operate in the Gulf of Mexico, he said Wednesday. These are international waters. Its important that the Russians conduct their operations safely and in accordance with international standards.

This file photo provided by the U.S. Air Force shows an F-15C Eagle from the 12th Fighter Squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska, flying next to a Russian Tu-95 "Bear" bomber, right, during a Russian exercise which brought the bomber near the west coast of Alaska. Russias defense minister says the military will conduct regular long-range bomber patrols, ranging from the Arctic Ocean to the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico.

The announcement by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu who also stated that the patrols would occur elsewhere around the globe -- came as NATO's chief accused Russia of sending fresh troops and tanks into eastern Ukraine. "Over the last few days, we have seen multiple reports of large convoys moving into Eastern Ukraine," said NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. "We assess that this significant military buildup includes Russian artillery, tanks, air defense systems and troops. His statement called the situation a "severe threat to the cease-fire."

Moscow denied the allegation as unfounded, but Shoigu also said the dispute with the West over Ukraine would require Russia to beef up its forces in the Crimea, the Black Sea Peninsula that Russia annexed in March. Shoigu said Russian long-range bombers will conduct flights along Russian borders and over the Arctic Ocean. He said, "In the current situation we have to maintain military presence in the western Atlantic and eastern Pacific, as well as the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico." Shoigu would not say how frequent the patrol missions would be or offer any other specifics, but he noted that the increasing pace and duration of flights would require stronger maintenance efforts and that relevant directives have been issued to industries. He said the Russian air force's long-range planes also will conduct "reconnaissance missions to monitor foreign powers' military activities and maritime communications."

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waltky · Nov 15, 2014

Granny says, "Dat's right - dem Commies don't need to be skulkin' `round our border...

U.S. questions Russia's rationale for bomber drills in Gulf of Mexico
Nov. 14, 2014 | "We dont see security environment as warranting such activity," a U.S. Department of State official said in response to Russia's announced bomber drills in the Gulf of Mexico.

The U.S. Department of State responded Thursday to Russia's announcement that it will deploy long-range bombers to patrol the Gulf of Mexico off U.S. shores. "While we recognize the need for routine military training activity, we have noticed an increase in the number of these flights near North America in recent months," State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki told reporters on Thursday.

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said that the bombers would be deployed as part of "drills." "In the current situation, we have to maintain military presence in the western Atlantic and eastern Pacific, as well as the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico," he explained. That explanation falls short, the State Department said in response. "We don't see security environment as warranting such activity," Psaki noted.

A Russian Air Force Tu-95 "Bear" bomber is pictured in an undated file photo. Russian Air Force commanders insist their resumed strategic bomber patrols over the North Atlantic Ocean comply with international law.

Routine military training, she added, "must be consistent with international law and conducted with due regard for the rights of other nations and the safety of other aircraft and of vessels."

The State Department did not go so far as to accuse Russia of violating international law, and it is unclear what recourse, if any, the U.S. would pursue in response to the Russian bomber drills. In the past year, Russia has also been criticized for maneuvering warplanes into restricted air spaces, including in Colombia, Finland, Japan, Ukraine, and the United States.

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-N...n-Gulf-of-Mexico/1791415998232/?spt=sec&or=tn
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Russia to Upgrade Over 10 Tu-160 Bombers

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