Tu-160 - History
In the middle of 1950s investigations were launched on layout, design and size definition of supersonic strategic missile-carrier bomber.
The Tu-160 was the outcome of a multi-mission bomber competition, which included a Tupolev proposal for an aircraft design using elements of the Tu-144, the Myasishchev M- 18, and the Sukhoi a design based on the T-4 aircraft.
In 1975 a full-scale development of strategic supersonic TU-160 a/c was started. Basing on TsAGI proposals and recommendations multi-mode aircraft aerodynamic configuration was developed which was substantially a combination of capabilities of TU-95 a/c with large aspect ratio swept wing, with variable-geometry outer wing which was tried out on TU-22M long-range bomber combined with central integrated section of the aircraft that was developed on TU-144 SST.
The project of Myasishchev was considered to be the most successful, although the Tupolev organization was regarded as having the greatest potential for completing this complex project. Tupolev was assigned to develop an aircraft using elements of the Myasishchev M-18 bomber design.
Valentine N. Blizniuk was appointed as Chief Designer, and Lev Bazenkov as his assistant General management of TU-160 a/c building was performed by Alexey Tupolev, who replaced Andrey Tupolev as General Designer Providing high loading ratio was the most critical when building the aircraft. The problem was solved due to effective structure of the aircraft, wide use of improved structural materials, large-size semifinished items and advanced technological processes.
Program of the works on the aircraft was coordinated directly by Peter Dementiev- Minister of Aircraft industry of the USSR. In essence when building TU-160 a revolution was made in metallurgy, machine-tool industry and in technology of engineering industry. Simultaneously high-efficient multi-mode NK-32 engines were developed in Kuznetsov Design Bureau. It was resulted in compliance with Air Force requirements to a new supersonic strategic aircraft.
Inestimable contribution to TU-160 a/c creation was made by leading specialists of our Design Bureau: V.Sulimenkov, G.Cheriomukhin, D.Gapeev, Y.Livshhhits, N.Kozlov, V.Razumikhin, V.Vishnevskiy, R.Yengulatov, A.Yakushev, V.Korneev, E.Moiseev, A.Babochkin, V.Voul, A. Smirnov, V. Vorkin, J.Gorbanenko and many other designers and workers. Support of long-range aviation from V.Reshetnikov who promoted greatly advanced ideas and technological approaches. TsAGI management and leading specialists supported permanently the aircraft development.
In 1981 OKB Tupolev built two prototypes of the bomber and one mock-up that was used for static tests. The first flight test of the "70" aircraft took place on 18/19 December 1981 by crew of Leading test-pilot Boris Veremey. During flight tests, one of the two original planes was lost. Shortly after tests began, series production started. In 1984, the factory in Kazan started producing the bomber which received the designation TU-160.
Initial plans provided for the construction of 100 airplanes, but when their production was stopped in 1992, only 36 bombers had been built. From 33 aircraft that were manufactured in experimental and serial production only 20 were left in Russia, furthermore manufacturing of three more serial aircraft was not completed yet.
Trial operations in the Air Forces began in 1987 with serial production being conducted at the Kazan Aviation Association. Flight tests confirmed required characteristics and in 1987 the aircraft started entering for operation. The aircraft was flight tested under restricted joint program which involved B.Veremey, S.Agapov, V.Pavlov, V.Matveev, V.Dralin, M. Kozel, A.Eremenko, M.Pozdniakov, S.Popov, V.neretin etc. Air Force and Long-range aviation supported the project an every phase of building and mastering the aircraft.
In May 1987, deployment of the first bombers began. Until the end of 1991, 19 TU-160 bombers served in the 184th regiment in Ukraine and became Ukrainian property after the dissolution of the USSR. In 1992 the 121th air regiment based at the aerodrome B.G. Engels was equippd with TU-160 bombers. Subsequently the bombers were tested to carry long range missiles.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
