The upgraded supersonic long-range bomber Tupolev-22M3M will make its first flight in August, the CEO of the Tupolev design bureau, Alexander Konyukhov, told TASS on Wednesday.
"Yes, this will happen at the airdrome of the aircraft-building plant in Kazan," he said.
The Tu-22M3M bombers will get advanced precision weapons while their radio-electronic devices and engines will be similar to the equipment aboard the latest Tu-160M2 aircraft, TASS had reported in November 2017.
The plant will upgrade the Tupolev-22M3 planes currently in service the Defense Ministry is still to select.
"Not all planes currently on duty will be upgraded. Only those the Defense Ministry will point at," Konyukhov said.
About 30 planes will be upgraded to the level of the Tu-22M3M. They will feature a new SVP-24-22 radio-electronic system, a NV-45 radar, the cockpit’s improved ergonomics, new onboard systems and an extended service life of 35 years. The upgraded bomber will be able to carry precision conventional weapons, including Kh-32 cruise missiles with a range of up to 600 km.
Russia regularly turns down enquiries from wealthy foreign clients to convert Tupolev long-range bombers to supersonic business class jet. “Wealthy foreign clients regularly address the Russian aircraft-building company Tupolev for making a private supersonic business class jet on the basis of Russias Strategic bombers Tupolev-160 or Tupolev-22M3,” Tupolev Deputy CEO for Design and R&D, Valery Solozobov, were quoted as saying by
Russia has launched R&D work to develop a defensive aids system for modernized Tupolev Tu-160M2 strategic bombers to protect them from all types of missile attacks. "We understand that the bombers will have a principally new defensive aids system which is being developed as part of a new R&D effort
A day after the inauguration of Donald Trump as US president, Russian launched one of its deadliest attacks against Islamic State in Syria with six T-22M3 bombers that took off from Russia and dropped bombs at Daesh targets near Dier ez-Zor. The bombers were covered by Su-30SM and Su-35S fighter jets that flew from Hmeymim air base in a coordinated strike
The Russian Aerospace Forces has received second upgraded Tupolev Tu-95MS strategic bomber, the press service of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) reported on Tuesday. "The plane has been upgraded within the framework of the state contract
Tupolev has signed a contract with the Russian Defense Ministry to modernize strategic bomber and missile carrier Tu-95MSM, the company's general director, Alexander Konyukhov said. "The contract for deep modernization - Tu-95MSM - was signed a month and a half ago, and the work was deployed at the Taganrog Aviation Plant (Beriev-IFTTC)," Konyukhov was quoted as saying by
Russia To Soon Test MC-21 Jet Powered By PD-14 Engine
Denmark to Integrate Kongsberg's Protector RWS On Piranha Military Vehicles
California to get three S-70i FIREHAWKS
Russian "Spy" Ship Receives Panama Canal Permit Following Brief Blockade
Germany To Finalise Order for 38 Eurofighter Jets, 110 E-Scan Radars
Turkish Navy to get First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier in 2020
Bechtel Bags US Navy's $1.4Bn Naval Nuclear Propulsion Components Contract
Indian Air Force to Buy 83 Tejas Jets by March 2020
Several joint production and direct procurement programs could be halted if the US and Europe carry through with their threat...
Sanctions-hit Iran has found ingenious ways to develop military hardware
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly permeating the defence industry to aid and improve human decision-making
Upgrade of Russias Sukhoi Su-30SM fighters to equip them with armaments, radar, sensors and engines from the more powerful Su-35...
US companies sanctioned by China for supplying weapons to Taiwan may be denied rare earth elements (REEs), which have critical...
While the US F-35 stealth aircraft has become one the fastest selling fighter jets in the world aircraft market, thanks...