The Tu-160M2, Russia’s newly upgraded bomber, now has the aptitude to interact airborne targets in its rear hemisphere. This growth marks a big advance in strategic aviation, because the modernized Tu-160M2 has develop into the primary strategic bomber on the planet outfitted to strike air targets behind it.
As a part of the Tu-160M2’s growth program, which includes constructing new models from scratch, these fashions produced on the Kazan Aviation Plant now function a rear-facing radar. This addition vastly enhances the bomber’s defensive capabilities, permitting it to detect and interact threats from each the entrance and rear.
Alongside this new radar, the plane has been fitted with a brand new class of air-to-air missiles that may interact targets in each ahead and backward instructions. These upgrades are a part of a broader modernization effort to keep up Russia’s strategic air energy.
Whereas there have been no official particulars on the particular forms of air-to-air missiles fitted to the up to date Tu-160M2, protection specialists have speculated on the missile programs concerned. A supply accustomed to the upgrades famous that if an airborne risk seems within the rear hemisphere—whether or not it’s an plane, a fighter, or a missile—the Tu-160M2 will launch missiles within the ahead route utilizing steering from the tail radar. In impact, the missile might be launched dealing with ahead however will orient itself towards the goal whereas in flight. This new expertise is seen as significantly advantageous for heavy bombers, which are sometimes deployed past conventional protection perimeters with out fighter escorts.
Customary air-to-air missiles from typical fighter plane are much less appropriate for a heavy strategic bomber just like the Tu-160M2. If a risk arises from the rear, a bomber of this measurement and mission profile would want important time and gas to maneuver into an assault place, probably compromising its major mission of hanging floor targets. The rear-facing radar and new missile programs mitigate this limitation, permitting the Tu-160M2 to defend itself with out expensive maneuvers.
Nevertheless, not all sources have been satisfied by the effectiveness of the modifications. A well-informed insider has expressed skepticism, suggesting that whereas the Tu-160M2’s measurement makes it possible to put in a rear-facing radar, the existence of missiles able to making a 180-degree flip mid-flight stays unproven. This declare seems to be at odds with historic proof of comparable missile expertise.
Within the Nineteen Sixties, the Soviet Union developed the Ok-13A missile, based mostly on the American AIM-9 Sidewinder. The Ok-13A had a most vary of seven.5 km, which was later prolonged to fifteen km. This missile was primarily designed for the MiG-21PFM interceptor, which was outfitted with a particular periscope to observe the rear hemisphere.
Whereas the unique Ok-13A was by no means exported, a simplified model with out rear-engagement functionality, the Ok-13VV, was bought overseas. This background underlines that air-to-air missiles able to participating targets behind an plane are usually not a brand new idea for Russian engineers.
Regardless of doubts from some specialists, the upgraded Tu-160M2’s potential to interact rearward targets has been formally confirmed. The primary model of this considerably modernized bomber accomplished its maiden flight from the Kazan Aviation Plant’s airfield in January 2022, with a second unit following in December 2022. Each plane at the moment are operational throughout the long-range aviation fleet, and a 3rd unit is presently being assembled.
No official bulletins have been made in regards to the particular rear-engagement missile programs onboard the newly constructed Tu-160M2s. Nevertheless, it has been reported that one of many related missiles entered service with the MiG-31BM in 2023. This missile, the R-74M, is a extremely maneuverable short-range air-to-air missile. Developed by the Particular Design and Expertise Bureau of NPO Kurganpribor, the R-74M boasts enhanced launch angles and might goal threats even within the rear hemisphere.
In contrast to the older Ok-13A, which used fins for steering, the R-74M is provided with superior thrust-vectoring solid-fuel engines. This provides it distinctive maneuverability and a formidable vary for participating airborne threats—as much as 40 km and at altitudes between 20 meters and 20 km. It might probably even intercept extremely agile targets with a G-force of as much as 12 Gs and speeds of two,500 km/h.
The R-74M’s superior steering system permits for abrupt course adjustments in mid-flight, enabling it to lock onto a brand new goal if crucial. Moreover, the missile is designed to withstand digital countermeasures, together with numerous decoys, which makes it extremely resilient towards trendy digital warfare. Given the R-74M’s compact measurement and cutting-edge capabilities, it’s extensively assumed to be a part of the Tu-160M2’s new air-to-air arsenal, though the precise quantity and placement of those missiles stay labeled.
This technological leap suggests a strategic shift in how Russia envisions the function of its strategic bombers. Historically, such plane have been seen as supply programs for nuclear and traditional strikes, working at lengthy ranges and with heavy payloads. By equipping the Tu-160M2 with air-to-air missiles able to defending towards threats from any route, Russia is redefining the strategic bomber’s mission profile, making it extra versatile and autonomous.
The choice to combine superior air-to-air capabilities into the Tu-160M2 might also mirror Russia’s broader protection technique within the face of recent threats, significantly in an period of accelerating reliance on high-speed, maneuverable aerial platforms. This shift may be seen as a countermeasure to the rising dominance of stealth and digital warfare capabilities in Western air forces.
In conclusion, the modernization of the Tu-160M2 is not only about enhancing its offensive strike capabilities but in addition about considerably bettering its defensive potential. The mixing of superior missile programs, a classy rear-facing radar, and enhanced avionics makes the Tu-160M2 a formidable asset in Russia’s long-range strategic arsenal.
Nevertheless, questions stay in regards to the specifics of the brand new weaponry and its sensible effectiveness in fight situations. What is evident is that Russia is set to keep up its edge in strategic aviation, whilst new challenges emerge within the world aerospace area.
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