Tupolev Tu-95
Country of origin
Soviet Union
ManufacturerTupolev, Aviakor, Taganrog aviation
The Tupolev Tu-95 (Russian: Туполев Ту-95; NATO reporting name: "Bear") is a large Soviet nuclear-capable, four-engine turboprop strategic bomber and missile launch 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 turboprop-powered strategic bomber still in operational use. The Tu-95 is one of the loudest military aircraft, particularly because the tips of the propeller blades are supersonic. The Tu-95 is the only propeller-driven aircraft with swept wings built in large numbers. Its armament has included the Kh-55 nuclear-armed cruise missile and Kh-101 stealth cruise missile.
Soviet crews carried out long-range patrols, without nuclear weapons, until 1991. Russia resumed similar patrols from 2007. In the 1950s and 1960s, experimental variants were used for air-dropped Soviet nuclear...
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 turboprop-powered strategic bomber still in operational use. The Tu-95 is one of the loudest military aircraft, particularly because the tips of the propeller blades are supersonic. The Tu-95 is the only propeller-driven aircraft with swept wings built in large numbers. Its armament has included the Kh-55 nuclear-armed cruise missile and Kh-101 stealth cruise missile.
Soviet crews carried out long-range patrols, without nuclear weapons, until 1991. Russia resumed similar patrols from 2007. In the 1950s and 1960s, experimental variants were used for air-dropped Soviet nuclear...
