New Russian bomber expected in 15-20 years
A new strategic bomber for Russia’s long-range aviation is scheduled to be ready for deployment by 2025-2030, the military branch’s head said. The bomber will use stealth technology extensively to reach the minimal radar cross-section for an aircraft of its class, told journalists Major General Anatoly Zhikharev. The vehicle, developed by the Tupolev design bureau, will have both nuclear and precision weapons capabilities, and systems for air defense suppression. It will also be able to use a wide range of airfields for take-off and landing, including those with unpaved runways.
The new aircraft is intended as a replacement for strategic bomber models currently in service in the Russian Air Forces, like the Tu-160, Tu-95MS and Tu-22M3.
Maksim Pyadushkin, editor in chief of aviation magazine Russia and CIS Observer, says that, since the current Russian military bombers are very old, there is an obvious need for new weaponry.
“We don’t know much about this future bomber at the moment, because, as far as I understand, the development is in its initial stage,” Pyadushkin told RT.
“It looks like Russian militaries are just defining their requirements for the new aircraft. So, we don’t know how it will look like. It will certainly be supersonic, will certainly have stealth technology and will carry high-precision weapons.”
