50 SKY SHADES - World aviation news

Russia’s advanced strategic bomber may perform debut flight in late 2018

Download: Printable PDF Date: 04 Aug 2016 17:45 (UTC) category:
Publisher:
Russia’s advanced strategic bomber may perform debut flight in late 2018   - Manufacturer publisher
Tatjana Obrazcova
Country: Russian Federation Aircraft: Airplanes
Source: TASS

Russia’s modernized strategic bomber Tupolev Tu-160M2 may perform its debut flight already at the end of 2018, Russian Aerospace Force Commander-in-Chief Colonel-General Viktor Bondarev said on Thursday.

"The first Tu-160M2 is set to take to the skies in late 2018 and then the first serial-produced aircraft will perform its flight in 2021. After that, purchases will start," the commander said, responding to the relevant question.

It was reported in 2015 that Russia had made a decision to resume the production of Tu-160 bombers in their upgraded Tu-160M2 modification and postpone the development of the new-generation bomber PAK DA (standing for prospective aviation complex for long-range aviation) to a later term.

A cockpit of Russia's long-range strategic bomber

The Russian Defense Ministry reported that the serial production of Tu-160M2 bombers should begin in 2023. The Russian Aerospace Force intends to purchase no less than 50 such aircraft. The Aerospace Force commander-in-chief said in March 2016 that the Tu-160M2 might take to the skies for the first time in 2019.

Tu-160 strategic bomber
 





Recommended

TARMAC Aerosave becomes the world’s first triple AFRA-accredited company, doubling aircraft dismantling capacity

TARMAC Aerosave has set a new industry benchmark by becoming the first company in the world to secure Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association (AFRA) accreditation across all three scopes of aircraft disa...

BPE Air reports nearly US$90 million in 2025 revenue as Aldrew Crowe advances integrated aviation platform

BPE Air, the aviation company founded and wholly owned by entrepreneur Aldrew Crowe, reported approximately US$90 million in revenue in 2025, marking a major milestone in the growth of its integrated...

Daher highlights expanding business aviation role of TBM and Kodiak at NBAA-BACE 2026

Daher Aircraft will present its TBM and Kodiak aircraft families at next week’s NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), showcasing how their combination of performance, e...

Dassault brings EASy IV upgrade to Falcon 2000 series, extending its latest standard to the best-selling family

Dassault will introduce the fourth-generation EASy IV flight deck on newly built Falcon 2000LXS aircraft, while also making the upgrade available as a retrofit across the entire Falcon 2000 EASy fleet...

Android Apps development in Riga, Latvia