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Tupolev Tu-95

The Tupolev Tu-95 (Russian: Туполев Ту-95; NATO reporting name: "Bear") is a large, four-engine turboprop-powered strategic bomber and missile platform. First flown in 1952, the Tu-95 entered service with the Long-Range Aviation of the Soviet Air Forces in 1956 and was first used in combat in 2015. It is expected to serve the Russian Aerospace Forces until at least 2040.

A development of the bomber for maritime patrol is designated the Tu-142, while a passenger airliner derivative was called the Tu-114.


The aircraft has four Kuznetsov NK-12 engines with contra-rotating propellers. It is the only propeller-powered strategic bomber still in operational use today. The Tu-95 is one of the loudest military aircraft, particularly because the tips of the propeller blades move faster than the speed of sound.[1] Its distinctive swept-back wings are set at an angle of 35°. The Tu-95 is the only propeller-driven aircraft with swept wings built in large numbers.

Tu-95MS cockpit

Tu-95MS cockpit

Navigator position

Navigator position

Flight engineer position

Flight engineer position

Radio operator position

Radio operator position

On June 8, 2015, a Tu-95 ran off a runway at the bomber base and caught fire during take-off in the far eastern Amur region. As a result, one crew member was killed.[48][49]

Ukrainka

Russian Aerospace Forces

[66]

Crew: 6–7; pilot, co-pilot, flight engineer, communications system operator, navigator, tail gunner, plus additional navigator, depending on mission profile.

[83]

Length: 46.2 m (151 ft 7 in)

Wingspan: 50.1 m (164 ft 4 in)

Height: 12.12 m (39 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 310 m2 (3,300 sq ft)

Empty weight: 90,000 kg (198,416 lb)

Gross weight: 171,000 kg (376,990 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 188,000 kg (414,469 lb)

Powerplant: 4 × turboprop engines 15,000 PS (15,000 hp; 11,000 kW)

Kuznetsov NK-12

Propellers: 8-bladed contra-rotating fully feathering constant-speed propellers

Data from Combat Aircraft since 1945[82]


General characteristics


Performance


Armament

Tupolev Tu-114

Tupolev Tu-119

Tupolev Tu-126

Tupolev Tu-142

Related development


Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era


Related lists

Bukharin, Oleg, Pavel L. Podvig and Frank von Hippel. Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces. Boston: MIT Press, 2004.  978-0-262-66181-2.

ISBN

Duffy, Paul and Andrei Kandalov. Tupolev: The Man and His Aircraft. Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife, 1996.  978-1-85310-728-3.

ISBN

Eden, Paul (editor). The Encyclopedia of Modern Military Aircraft. London: Amber Books, 2004.  978-1-904687-84-9.

ISBN

Gordon, Yefim and Peter Davidson. Tupolev Tu-95 Bear. North Branch, Minnesota: Specialty Press, 2006.  978-1-58007-102-4.

ISBN

Grant, R.G. and John R. Dailey. Flight: 100 Years of Aviation. Harlow, Essex: DK Adult, 2007.  978-0-7566-1902-2.

ISBN

Healey, John K. (January–February 2004). "Retired Warriors: 'Cold War' Bomber Legacy". . No. 109. pp. 75–79. ISSN 0143-5450.

Air Enthusiast

Mladenov, Alexander. "Still Going Strong". . Vol. 89, No. 2, August 2015. pp. 40–47. ISSN 0306-5634.

Air International

Wilson, Stewart. Combat Aircraft since 1945. Fyshwick, Australia: Aerospace Publications, 2000.  978-1-875671-50-2.

ISBN

Tu-95 Intercepts From The 1960s Till Today

Archived 2016-03-07 at the Wayback Machine

Tu-95МС