The B-52 and Tu-160 strategic bombers, developed in the mid-20th century, are still in service. They are timeless. Both aircraft repeatedly participated in combat operations.
During the Cold War era, the US and Soviet Union for several decades they threatened each other with the threat of destroying the enemy with nuclear weapons. The efforts of millions of people and countless funds were spent on the development and deployment of weapons systems equipped with the most modern technologies, to ensure the complete destruction of the enemy state in the event that the Cold War becomes hot.
During this arms race, both sides developed bombers capable of crossing oceans and continents to drop nuclear bombs directly into enemy territory. Subsequently, when this became impossible due to the improvement of air defense systems, missiles began to be placed on these aircraft to be launched as close as possible to the target. It seems incredible that some of these engineering marvels from the 1950s to 1970s are still flying today, 26 years after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War they were designed to fight.
The grandchildren of their first pilots sit at the controls of some aircraft, and these devices do not lose their effectiveness. They are being modernized so as not to be removed from service, for example, the American B-52 or the Russian Tu-95 (Bear - “Bear” according to NATO classification), or their production is being resumed to produce new models, in particular, the Russian Tu-160. The giants of the Cold War will remain with us for many years, some of them will last more than a hundred years, which is an eternity for an airplane.
Boeing B-52 Stratofortress
Development contract strategic bomber The B-52 was contracted in 1946, the first flight of this device took place on April 15, 1952, and in 1955 it was delivered to the US Air Force. After 62 years, this modernized and modified aircraft continues to fly and participate in combat operations. The B-52 Stratofortress (flying fortress) was developed as an intercontinental jet bomber carrying unguided nuclear bombs to attack cities and strategically important infrastructure of the USSR.
© RIA Novosti, SkrynnikovNuclear bombs have never been dropped from these aircraft, which have been used for operational and tactical purposes in all armed conflicts involving the United States since the 1965 Vietnam War. But they dropped thousands of tons of uncontrollable and guided bombs with a conventional charge, and now they continue to roam the skies, sometimes piloted by the grandchildren of their first commanders. Among themselves, the pilots call this bomber Buff. This is an acronym formed from the words Big Ugly Fat Fucker (big, ugly, fat guy).
Aircraft length - 48.5 meters, wingspan - 56.4 meters, wing area - 370 square meters. The height of the vertical stabilizer is 12.4 meters, the empty weight of the aircraft is 83.25 tons, the maximum take-off weight is 220 tons, which allows it to carry 31.5 thousand kilograms of weapons and 181 thousand liters of fuel.
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Al Madena news 06/05/2017The bomber has swept wings (sweep angle 35 degrees), from which hang four twin compartments with TF-33 turbojet engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney. The device can reach a maximum speed of 1046 km/h (650 mph or Mach 0.86). The maximum flight range without air refueling is 14 thousand kilometers (ferry range is more than 16 thousand kilometers), but with air refueling maximum range flight depends on the endurance of the crew. The plane can fly at altitudes of up to 15.24 thousand meters. The crew consists of five people (commander, co-pilot, navigator, radio operator-gunner and electronics engineer), although sometimes it also included gunners to fire from anti-aircraft guns, taken from the device in its latest modifications.
Designed to carry a large bomb load, the B-52 features a large internal cargo bay and four underwing weapons suspension systems, allowing the vehicle to carry various types unguided and guided bombs (nuclear, cluster and conventional), as well as air-to-surface missiles designed to strike both ground and surface targets, mines, systems electronic jamming with a total weight of up to 31.5 tons. A total of 744 aircraft were built in eight modifications (from A to H), the last aircraft left the factory floor on October 26, 1962.
As new models of the bomber were developed, its design and the electronic equipment installed on board were improved, and the structure of the tail section was changed, including the location of the tail machine guns (which were later removed from the device). The aircraft were also equipped with new target designators and guidance systems. electronic warfare, modified engine models with higher power and lower fuel consumption. Currently, the US Air Force has about 70 B-52 bombers in full combat readiness, and another 20 are in reserve. All devices belong to modification H and have been modernized to extend their service life.
The first combat missions of these aircraft, originally developed to participate in nuclear war, became the so-called carpet bombings using unguided bombs with conventional charges (during the Vietnam War) similar to those used during World War II. Throughout the American Gulf War, B-52s carried out high-altitude bombing missions as well as low-altitude strikes, including missile strikes.
Today, American strategic bombers are used in Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq as support aircraft high altitude using guided munitions. Due to their combat radius and high survivability, these vehicles are ideal “flying arsenals” for dropping guided bombs (laser-guided or GPS) on command from the ground. Equipping aircraft with the Litening module since 2007 has made it possible to use them to perform the above-mentioned tasks. In addition, the B-52 can be used for maritime patrols and can carry mines or Harpoon missiles. The speed and range of the bomber allows it to fly over vast areas during search operations.
During the B-52's long service, at least 11 aircraft were lost in crashes, including a B-52G that collided with a KC-135 Stratotanker over the Spanish village of Palomares, Almeria, on January 17, 1966. Four thermonuclear bombs on board the bomber fell to the ground, causing radiation contamination of the area. Another 30 aircraft were lost during the Vietnam War: at least ten of them were shot down by the enemy, and five were so seriously damaged that they could hardly reach Allied airfields. In turn, the gunners of two B-52D aircraft shot down two MiG-21 fighters with their tail machine guns. Currently, the B-52 continues to fly combat missions in Syria and Iraq, striking the positions of terrorist groups, including the Islamic State (an organization banned in the Russian Federation - approx. Per.), and carrying out flights for a “show of force” in areas of heightened international tension: the Baltics, Eastern Europe or the South China Sea.
The last B-52 aircraft produced has been in service for 55 years and has tens of thousands of flight hours, but the aircraft's 1950s-style design and repeated upgrades and modifications allow them to remain in service for many years to come. This is precisely what the new proposal to replace the engines of American bombers, their weakest link, is aimed at. The US Air Force has requested about ten million dollars to conduct work to study replacement options. latest version TF-33 Pratt & Whitney engines to the most modern power plants, which should reduce aircraft operating costs (cost of flight hour, fuel consumption) and increase flight range.
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World of Weapons 06/28/2017The cost of improving the B-52 bomber fleet, including rebuilding the cargo bay to allow it to be loaded. guided munitions, is $227 million. Between 2018 and 2020, it is expected to spend $1.34 billion on modernizing radar installations and equipping devices with new systems. The US Air Force intends to continue operating the Buffs until 2040, when the aircraft will be 100 years old. And he will continue to bomb.
Tu-160 " White Swan»
The Soviet equivalent of the American B-52 was essentially the swept-wing Tu-95 turboprop strategic bomber, designed to perform the same combat missions in the same era, which also continues to operate today. But more interesting example in terms of modernization, there is no doubt that the successor of this aircraft is the Tu-160 “White Swan” (Blackjack according to NATO classification). This aircraft belongs to the next generation of bombers, and it is truly worthy of respect.
The Tu-160, the development of which began on a competitive basis in 1972, was supposed to become a competitor American models XB-70 Valkyrie or B-1A, which were never fielded. As part of this mission, the Tupolev Design Bureau created a monster: the world's largest and heaviest combat aircraft with variable wing geometry, capable of reaching speeds twice the speed of sound, and the world's fastest bomber currently in service. All this was so expensive that today there are only 16 of these devices left that can be used. But they have such potential that Russian Ministry Defense plans to resume production of this aircraft.
By appearance The Tu-160 resembles an enlarged version of the American Rockwell B-1 Lancer. The Russian bomber is larger than its American counterpart (length - 54.1 meters compared to 44.5 meters; maximum wingspan - 55.7 meters compared to 41.8 meters), it is heavier (maximum take-off weight - 275 tons compared to 216 tons), faster ( maximum speed- Mach 2 compared to Mach 1.25), can carry more weapons in the cargo hold (40 tons compared to 34 tons). It was developed as a missile carrier, the cargo compartments are equipped with two drums launchers, each of which can carry six X-55 cruise missiles (with conventional and nuclear charge and a range of up to 2.5 thousand kilometers) or 12 aeroballistic hypersonic missiles X-15 (nuclear or anti-ship) short range(up to 300 kilometers).
The maximum flight range of the Tu-160 without in-flight refueling is 12.3 thousand kilometers, the combat radius is about 7 thousand kilometers, it is equipped with an aerial refueling receiver boom, which is used in rare cases. Maximum height flight - 15 thousand meters. Although the aircraft was built without the use of Stealth technology, a number of design features reduce its radar signature, for example, compared to the B-52.
In April 1987, the 184th Guards Poltava-Berlin Red Banner Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment in Priluki (on the territory of the Ukrainian SSR) was equipped with Tu-160 bombers, but after the release of 36 devices, the collapse of the Soviet Union occurred, which affected future fate Tu-160.
After the USSR ceased to exist in 1991, Ukraine nationalized all Armed Forces located on its territory. At the airfield in Priluki there were 19 “White Swans”, which were appropriated by Ukraine, although most of the pilots and aircraft technicians chose to go to Russia.
In the 90s, these aircraft gradually failed due to the lack of necessary repair and restoration services. Russia and Ukraine were negotiating the possible sale of these aircraft. Ukraine did not need them, but the requested price (about $3 billion) was too high for Moscow. After much wrangling and disposal of one device under the agreement on nuclear disarmament The Ukrainian parties came to an agreement: taking into account the write-off of part of the gas purchase debt, Russia had to pay Ukraine $285 million for eight Tu-160s in the best condition, three Tu-95MS and 575 Kh-55M missiles. After the necessary training, from November 1999 to February 2001, the Tu-160s were relocated to a Russian airbase near the city of Engels, Saratov region.
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Ilta-Sanomat 06/17/2017The 121st Guards Sevastopol Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment, based at the airfield near Engels, already had six Tu-160 aircraft, to which were added eight more bombers transferred by Ukraine, and several aircraft that were being completed by the Russian Ministry of Defense after the collapse of the USSR. After a number of plane crashes and the commissioning of new missile carriers, the Russian Air Force now has 16 Tu-160s (in the Tu-160M modification), although it is believed that only 11 of them are in a state of full combat readiness. These devices carried out demonstration flights in South America(in 2008 in Venezuela and in 2013 in Colombia). In November 2015, Tu-160 bombers took part in combat operations for the first time, carrying out cruise missile strikes against targets in Syria.
Considering the power and potential of these devices, it is not surprising that the Russian Ministry of Defense wanted to increase the Tu-160 fleet. An idea emerged to resume production of these aircraft (one aircraft every two to three years) and increase their number to 30 by 2030-2040. The missile carriers will be produced in the Tu-160M2 modification and, according to official data, will be equipped with 60% new components, including new power plants, which should increase the Tu-160’s flight range by approximately a thousand kilometers and flight altitude to 18 thousand meters.
It is planned to integrate the latest high-precision instruments into the aircraft’s on-board system, which will allow shooters to use “smart” ammunition, as well as radar systems and communications of the latest generation. Another important change will be the replacement of all Ukrainian-made equipment, since now, when relations between Russia and Ukraine are tense, its import is impossible. The resumption of production of the Tu-160 will slow down the implementation of the development program for the promising aviation complex long-range aviation (PAK DA), but will extend the service life of the device, which in this case can remain in service for more than 50 years. And then no one will be able to say that the “old people” are good for nothing.
InoSMI materials contain assessments exclusively of foreign media and do not reflect the position of the InoSMI editorial staff.
On August 16, 1981, the first B-52G bomber capable of carrying cruise missiles. The aircraft was a modification of the first aircraftB-52 and could accommodate 12 cruise missiles carrying nuclear warheads in the fuselage.
The B-52G was created to extend the service life of the B-52 series aircraft until the introduction of the B-58 Hustler supersonic bomber into service. After modification, the B-52G increased its take-off weight by 17,235 kg. Two external fuel tanks of 2650 liters each were placed under the wing.
Later, this aircraft could no longer carry 12, but 20 air-to-surface cruise missiles. Their combat unit could carry conventional high-explosive or nuclear charges. After launch, these missiles can independently fly 160 km to the target.
SmartNews has compiled a list of the best modern bombers.
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Video: Brian Lockett
NORTHROP B-2 SPIRIT
The B-2 is designed to penetrate dense air defenses and deliver conventional or nuclear weapons. To ensure stealth, stealth technologies are widely used: the aircraft is covered with radio-absorbing materials and is created according to the “flying wing” aerodynamic design. The bomber can carry up to 27,000 kg of various weapons. The B-2 can fly 11,100 km without refueling and carry 16 nuclear missiles.
According to US official data, by 2010 one B-2 bomber had been lost in a non-combat incident. February 23, 2008 B-2 aircraft ( serial number 89-0127, "Spirit of Kansas") crashed off the coast of the Pacific island of Guam at the American military base Andersen. This was the first time an aircraft of this type crashed. Two pilots managed to eject. After the accident, flights of all aircraft of this type were suspended. However, after an investigation into the crash, B-2 flights were resumed.
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Video: TurbojetAquila
ROCKWELL B-1 LANCER
This aircraft was created as a carrier of nuclear weapons to replace the B-52, however, in the early 1990s, conversion of B-1 aircraft to equip them with conventional weapons began. As of 2010, the US Air Force operated 64 B-1B bombers.
The B-1B is an aircraft with a length of 44.81 m, a height of 10.36 m, and a wingspan of 41.67 m (23.84 m at maximum sweep). Maximum take-off weight - 216.365 tons, empty weight - 87.09 tons, maximum internal combat load - 34.019 tons, external - 31.752 tons, Weight Limit fuel - 88.45 tons. Maximum flight speed - 1.25M, ferry range 12 thousand km.
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Video: f39eagle2
TU-22M3
The multi-mode long-range missile carrier-bomber Tu-22M3 is designed to destroy important targets on enemy territory.
To carry out combat missions, the aircraft can carry up to 3 supersonic guided missiles air-to-surface class X-22MA, up to 10 hypersonic aeroballistic missiles X-15 for hitting ground targets and enemy radars, as well as conventional or nuclear bombs in the fuselage (up to 12 tons) and on four external hardpoints.
The GSh-23 cannon with a shortened block of barrels mounted vertically, with an increased rate of fire to 4000 rounds/min and remote control (via television and radar channels) is used as a defensive weapon.
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Video: periskopspb
Tu-22M3: from takeoff to landing
TU-95MS
The only turboprop bomber in the world adopted for service and mass-produced. Designed to destroy important targets behind enemy lines with cruise missiles at any time of the day and in any weather conditions.
Along with the American B-52 strategic bomber, the Tu-95 is one of the few military aircraft that have been in continuous service for more than half a century.
On July 30, 2010, a world record for a non-stop flight for aircraft of this class was set - in 43 hours, the bombers flew about 30 thousand kilometers over three oceans, refueling four times in the air.
Bomber - military aircraft, main goal which is the destruction of ground, surface, underground and underwater targets using missiles and bombs.
The appearance of the bomber
The first use of airplanes to destroy ground targets occurred before the outbreak of the First World War. Instead of bombs, metal darts or flechettes were then used. They were slightly larger than a pencil. Thus, the bombing with darts was carried out from above on the positions of the infantry and cavalry. The weight of such an arrow is 30 grams, it was capable of piercing 150 mm of wood. First air bomb created by the Italian military man C. Zipelli. His main goal was to design a fuse that should go off at the most crucial moment. Subsequent experiments with grenades different types led to the death of the inventor.
The very first combat bombing took place on November 1, 1911. At the height of the Italo-Turkish war, the Italian pilot Gavotti dropped 4 bombs on the Turks in the city of Tripoli. A little later, the Italians began to use buckshot as destructive elements.
World War I
At the very beginning, airplanes carried out bombing purely to intimidate the enemy. Light reconnaissance aircraft were used as carriers. Bombs were dropped manually by pilots, and operations were not coordinated with those of ground troops. The first bombing of Paris took place at the end of August 1914. In November of the same year, Lieutenant Caspar bombed Dover.
But airships showed themselves best during this period. Germany was the most powerful aeronautical power. With 18 copies, it could drop several tons of bombs. In mid-August 14, one of the airships carried out an air raid on Antwerp, destroying 60 residential buildings, more than 900 were damaged. But the British anti-aircraft gunners managed to shoot down 4 units, after which the Germans refused to operate the airships during the daytime.
The first full-fledged bomber that fully corresponds to the rank of bomber was the Russian four-engine vehicle Igor Sikorsky “Ilya Muromets”. In December 1914, the “Squadron of Airships” was created from these “Murom residents”. Bombs were placed not only inside the plane, but also outside. In addition, the installed machine guns were responsible for protecting the aircraft. The first multi-engine bombers began to appear in many countries. One way or another, they looked like “Ilya Muromets”. Germany – G-III, G-IV, G-V, “Zeppelin-Staken R-VI”; England – 0/400, Vickers Vimy; USA - Martin MV-1.
Interwar period
IN post-war period The development of the bomber class slowed significantly. This was mainly due to the events taking place in the countries: Russia - revolution and Civil War; Due to the loss, Austria and Germany were prohibited from developing the military industry; Western countries, including the United States, were struggling with an internal crisis.
Nevertheless, aviation was developed. The main indicators of optimal quality were considered to be flight range and load capacity. In addition to the aircraft themselves, combat tactics were developed in flight schools. In the 1920s, the Italian military man Giulio Douhet made a huge contribution to the development of the strategic use of aviation. The main design for that period was a biplane box with wooden wings, a non-retractable landing gear and open machine gun mounts. The most prominent representatives: LeO-20 - France, "Heyford" and "Virginia" - England. In 1925, the legendary ANT-4 took to the skies in the USSR. It was the first production multi-engine all-metal bomber at that time. In December 1930, TB-3 took to the skies and set several world records. In 1933, the American-made twin-engine B-10 Martin became the first bomber with internal bomb storage, enclosed gunner and pilot cockpits, smooth skin and retractable landing gear. This period can be noted as the beginning of the construction of different types and types of bombers, but mainly several stand out: high-speed and long-range. The Treaty of Versailles prohibited German construction military aviation, therefore, their designers, with a view to a possible second war, began to produce passenger airliners with the possibility of their subsequent transformation into bombers. Typical representatives of such cunning - He-111 and Ju-86 - became the basis of Luftwaffe aviation. In July 1935, an experimental prototype of the first heavy bomber of the new generation, the Boeing B-17, took off. In December of the following year, testing of the TB-7 began in the USSR. And in 1939, Italy and England released their own types of bombers: Piaggio R.108, Stirling and Halifax. At the same time, dive bombers appeared in the military aviation industry - Pe-2 and Junkers U 87.
The Second World War
Over the entire history of World War II, more than 100 people took part in battles. various types bombers. Conventionally, they began to be divided into distant and front-line. Accordingly, depending on the type of bomber, they performed the assigned tasks. Among the front-line ones, the most notable ones are the English De Havilland Mosquito, the Soviet Pe-2, the American Martin B-26 Marauder, Douglas A-20 Havoc and A-26 Invader. Long-range - English Vickers Wellington, Soviet Il-4, American B-25 Mitchell, German Junkers U 88 and Henkel He 111. If the USSR and Germany developed more front-line aviation, then Great Britain and the United States paid attention to heavy four-engine bombers that could deliver massive attacks on targets. The American heavy bombers were based on the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, which was considered the fastest and highest-altitude combat aircraft at the beginning of the war. The most prominent representative became A. Jordanov's Boeing B-29 project. At that time, this unit had perfect aerodynamics and powerful engines. And it was he who became the first of all, on which it was possible to transport nuclear weapon(with Enola Gay, the US Air Force bombed the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945).
Since 1944, bomber jet aircraft have been involved in active combat operations. And for the first time, jet fighter-bombers began to develop. The first modification of such an aircraft is the Me-262A2, designed in Germany back in 1942. A year later, German designers developed a carrier bomber (Do-217K) for guided weapons, which dropped glide bombs. The world's first missile carrier was the He-111, which was obsolete by the end of the war. It was he who produced the V-1 cruise missiles.
Cold War period
With the beginning of complications in communication between the USA and the USSR, advanced countries began an arms race. In particular, bombers became the only potential carriers of the most formidable nuclear weapons at that time. However, developing new heavy aircraft with the ability to travel vast distances to strike was extremely expensive. Because of this, only three countries were engaged in such research: the USA, the USSR and the UK, among which the Soviet Union lagged behind the most. Realizing this, the country's leadership decided to begin developing new prototypes, in particular, the Tupolev Design Bureau managed to completely copy the American B-29. The copy was called Tu-4.
New capabilities for flying over vast distances made it possible to introduce other classes and designations. Thus, bombers that were capable of covering a distance of 10-15 thousand km began to be called intercontinental, and up to 10 thousand km - long-range (medium). Devices that could be used in the front-line zone or behind enemy lines began to be called tactical aviation.
In 1946, the United States created the first intercontinental bomber, the Convert B-36. It was also the last strategic bomber to use piston engines. In the 50s, aircraft designers managed to create aircraft that defined the appearance heavy aircraft manufacturing, among which the B-47 is considered the first. Unlike American designers, Tupolev specialists used a wing with a rigid caisson, which had great survivability, for the new jet bomber (Tu-16). On its basis, the USSR designed the first flagship of jet passenger aviation, the Tu-104.
In April 1952, the prototype of the US YB-52 intercontinental bomber took off. The design used many previously developed optimal parts of the B-47 aircraft. Thus, the new B-52 became the main subsonic aircraft of America's Strategic Air Command. The aircraft performed extremely well, which influenced the decision of the Air Force command to develop purely supersonic aircraft. In November 1956, the B-58 prototype took off, becoming the first long-range supersonic bomber. To improve aerodynamic qualities, aircraft designers used some fighter components. Thus, the project gradually began to be modernized, smoothly transitioning into the B-70 Valkyrie. Hopes were pinned on the new unit to replace the obsolete B-52s. However, the program was closed due to a spectacular demonstration in May 1960 of Soviet air defense systems, which easily hit both subsonic and supersonic targets.
At the same time, Khrushchev came to power in the Soviet Union, who firmly believed in the omnipotence of missile weapons. This direction completely stopped work on intercontinental bombers in the USSR. However, aviation, one way or another, needed aircraft capable of destroying AUGs (aircraft carriers). shock groups), in particular, this project was more concerned with the creation of new weapons for the US Navy. In September 1959, the long-range supersonic bomber Tu-22 made its first flight. Its layout was the most original and had not been used anywhere before. A further development was the Sukhoi Design Bureau supersonic aircraft T-4. However, due to political problems the program was closed in the 70s.
Low altitude supersonic bombers
The period of the 60s in the United States was marked by constant preparations and research in the field of heavy aviation. The Air Force leadership identified this need after receiving data on Soviet air defenses, the characteristics of which were the best at that time. A temporary solution was the adoption of the FB-111 bomber, a modification of the F-111 heavy strike tactical aircraft.
The USSR decided to make an analogue of the American front-line bomber - the Su-24, which took off in January 1970. Unlike the American leadership, the Union decided not to give up high altitude. All efforts were devoted to creating new multi-mode aircraft. Tu-22M is one such project, which first took to the skies in August 1969. At the same time, the United States began to develop a new multi-mode bomber, the B-1A. According to preliminary calculations, it was supposed to replace the B-52, but in 1977, after a series of flight tests, they decided to close the project. In addition, the need for stealth aircraft to break through enemy air defenses disappeared after the successful development of Stealth technology.
Stealth bombers
The new air defense systems of the USSR forced the US Air Force to look for other ways to increase the survivability of aircraft in combat conditions. The F-117, which took off in June 1981, is considered the first stealth bomber. In July 1989, the B-2 bomber, which was created under the ATV program, took off for the first time. After some time, the designers had to slightly change and increase the requirements, since the new S-300 air defense systems entered service with the USSR. A total of 20 B-2 units were built.
Modernity
When the Cold War ended, many expensive strategic bomber programs were canceled. Before the collapse, the Soviet Union managed to build 35 Tu-160 units, which were based mainly in Ukraine, in the city of Priluki. In 1992, serial production of the aircraft ceased, but a year later production began making small series of Tu-160 for Russia. By 2007, there were 16 aircraft in the Russian Federation. In addition, Russia has 64 Tu-95MS and 158 Tu-22M in service. And in 2015, the Russian Air Force plans to launch into the sky the first domestic long-range bomber with Stealth technology.
In 1990, the US defense demanded new solutions in the production of advanced bombers. Thus, by 2007, the Air Force consisted of 21 B-2 units, 20 B-2A units, 66 B-1B units and 76 B-52N units. Lockheed and Boeing have announced their intention to create a new strategic bomber. It is planned to be put into service in 2018.
Tactical aviation is characterized by blurred boundaries between fighter-bombers, front-line bombers and stormtroopers. The main differences are the flight range and limitations on combat capabilities.
Bomber classification:
Strategic.
Tactical (front-line).
Stormtroopers (support).
Diving.
Fighter-bombers.
The design features of almost all bombers are associated with:
the presence of huge compartments in the fuselage to accommodate weapons;
large volume of fuel tanks, which can sometimes increase the weight of the aircraft by up to 60%;
the fact that the crew cabins are sealed and large in size.
To create such aircraft, radar-absorbing materials can be used, which reduce radar signature. Sometimes, to cover vast distances, bombers are equipped with an aerial refueling system. In most cases, the power plant is multi-engine.
Aircraft classification:
| A |
| B |
| IN |
| G |
| D |
| AND |
For Victory Day.
This airbase is located near the city of Engels in the Saratov region. It is home to strategic bombers. At the moment, only Russia and the United States possess these types of aircraft, capable of operating over vast distances and using nuclear weapons.
Here are Tu-95ms - turboprop strategic bomber, one of the symbols of the Cold War, as well as supersonic strategic bomber Tu-160- the largest supersonic aircraft in the history of military aviation.
Meet the Tu-95ms turboprop strategic bomber-missile carrier. This is the fastest propeller-driven aircraft, which has become a symbol of the Cold War. Also, it is the only turboprop bomber in the world adopted for service and mass-produced.
The bomber is called strategic, if it has a range of over 5,000 km and is capable of using nuclear weapons. On July 30, 2010, a world record for non-stop flight for aircraft of this class was set. The bombers flew about 30 thousand kilometers, over three oceans, refueling four times in the air.
Power and foundation strategic aviation Russia: 
Each engine has two four-blade propellers:
Double-barreled aircraft cannon GSh-23. Effective firing range - 2 km:
Continuing the traditions started in domestic aviation in the 30s, some aircraft were assigned proper names. Tu-95MS is named after cities:
Tu-95ms cockpit:
The crew of 7 people is located in two pressurized cabins:
Tu-95 aircraft are equipped with NK-12 engines, which are still the most powerful turboprop engines in the world. The screws have a diameter of 5.6 meters - this is larger than the diameter of a standard Moscow metro tunnel!
Extraordinarily impressive! Tu-95 is one of the noisiest aircraft in the world, but this is not critical when launching nuclear missile strikes:
Tu-95ms are preparing to take off. The powerful roar of turboprop engines spreads across the takeoff field:
When such a car takes off, flying tens of meters away from you, such childish and sincere delight appears that you want to scream and jump for joy. There is no way to convey this in a photograph:
The turned on bow spotlights are needed to scare away birds that perceive two lights as the eyes of a predator.
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The highlight of today's program is the Tu-160 supersonic strategic missile-carrying bomber with variable wing sweep:
Wing span - 55.7 meters, maximum take-off weight - 275 tons, maximum speed - 2,230 km/h:
The total engine power at afterburner is more than 100,000 hp. With.:
Russian pilots nicknamed this aircraft the “white swan” for its reliability, beauty and grace. The Americans gave it another name - “Black Jack” - for its invulnerability to air defense systems and the ability to deliver a surprise strike. White Swan:
A total of 35 such aircraft have been produced since 1984. The cost of one is about 7.5 billion rubles.
The ups are amazing. You feel the sound and vibration of their engines with your whole body, and then you are blown away by a warm gust of air mixed with the smell of kerosene. (Clickable, 1600 x 1000 px):
Until the advent of the era of jet aviation, and this was almost half a century of combat aviation, the aircraft directly depended on the span of its wings. The “shoulder width” of the airplane also had one more significant advantage - with the advent of suspended weapons, the ability of equipment to carry a deadly load was radically revised. The most best bombers the world went down in history as giants whose huge wings blocked the sun from the enemy, causing terror before the bombs began to fall.
1
In 1941, the American military decided that if Britain, this “natural aircraft carrier,” was occupied, they would need a giant bomber capable of reaching the Nazis across the Atlantic. Later, thanks to 70 m wings and a flight ceiling of 15 km, the “Peacemaker” at least threatened the USSR, carrying nuclear charges in its belly. Interesting fact– The Convair B-36 served as the prototype for the nuclear-powered aircraft, but the experiment failed.
2
Holder of two rather controversial records at once - the heaviest aircraft of the Second World War and the largest aircraft, destroyed in the course of it. The Blohm & Voss BV 238 was a gigantic experimental flying boat with a wingspan of 60 m, capable of carrying bombs and torpedoes or delivering saboteurs to their destinations immediately with light equipment. Fell in unequal battle against 6 British fighters.
3
In the years Cold War Boeing engineers were given a practical task - to create a bomber that could deliver 2 thermonuclear bombs to any point in the USSR. They went further and their reserves were enough not only for the entire 20th century; various modifications of the B-52 are planned to remain in service until 2040. The wingspan of the “superfortress” reaches 56 m and it can carry 31.5 tons of bomb load.
4
“Product 70”, aka “Blackjack”, aka “White Swan” - an aircraft with the most long list well-deserved titles in the history of bomber aviation. The wing of this giant jet is built on the principle of variable sweep, its length varies from 55 to 50 m. Tu-160 aircraft became the primary target of the Western military and barely survived the collapse of the socialist empire in which they were created. There are only 16 such machines left in the world, but there are plans to increase their number to at least 50.
Stealth bomber, the first production aircraft in this category and probably the last. The reason is prosaic - the price tag of $1.157 billion makes it the most expensive flying vehicle in history. This is tens of times more expensive than the average flight into space with a payload, while the 52nd “flying wing” has rather contradictory flight characteristics. Each of the 21 B-2 Spirit aircraft has its own name dedicated to individual US states.
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The aircraft was created as a competitor to two that would later become legendary bombers, the Soviet Tu-95 and the American B-52. Thanks to the turbojet engines pressed to the fuselage, its wings were “aerodynamically clean” and spread out over 50 m. The model turned out to be very unlucky, during testing it constantly attracted trouble and reaped a sad harvest of human casualties. Ultimately, the requirements were lowered and the M4 was converted into a tanker.
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IN popular culture The aircraft is often confused with its predecessor, the B-17, the dominant bomber of World War II. Their winged hordes wiped out German cities from the face of the earth and caused man-made destruction. fire tornado in Dresden. The Boeing B-29's achievements are much more modest - they dropped "Little Boy" on Hiroshima and "Fat Man" on Nagasaki, carrying out the first atomic bombing in history. A strategic bomber with a wingspan of 43 m was ideal for this purpose.
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The brainchild of the concept of a high-speed breakthrough of enemy air defense at ultra-low altitudes, bending around the terrain - complete opposite classic bombing from above. The B-1 has a variable sweep wing with a span of 41 m, which allows it to dive at twice the speed of sound. And 34 tons of various bombs and missiles turn it into a symbol of American war machine- these aircraft participated in all major wars since the end of the last century.
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Flying boat Imperial Navy Japan, part-time - a naval strategic bomber with a wingspan of 38 m. The H8K was well adapted for aquatic environment and carried an impressive 2 tons of bombs for those times, but when the time came to bomb Pearl Harbor, both sent planes missed in disgrace due to fog. After this, the giant was primarily sent on long-range reconnaissance missions, fortunately, the fuel supply allowed, and the airfield served the entire ocean.
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A strategic supersonic bomber capable of hunting aircraft carriers, destroying an entire tank column with one blow, evading fighters, or pouring 24 tons of deadly gifts from ringing heights onto a careless enemy. In reality, it was almost impossible to fight the Tu-22M, but it became a kind of testing ground - the first domestic on-board computers were tested on these aircraft. One of the few heavyweights in the world with variable wing geometry, which spanned 34 m.
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