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| Russia Returns to Fly One More Modernized Tu-160M Bomber |
Moscow - Russia has flown another modernized Tu-160M (NATO: Blackjack) strategic bomber. The bomber developed by PJSC Tupolev uses the second series NK-32 engine, writes the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC).
The parent company Rostec explained that the modernization of the Tu-160 to the Tu-160M includes 80 percent of the systems and components on the aircraft. It can almost be said, this is a new aircraft.
Earlier, the UAC press service reported on August 12 that another batch of upgraded engines had been delivered by Samara UEC-Kuznetsov to PJSC Tupolev for installation on the Tu-160M. He added that all Tu-160 aircraft belonging to the Russian Aerospace Forces will undergo modernization.
The bomber, which was built from scratch at the Kazan Aviation Plant, will later be designated the Tu-160M2. In January 2022, the first Tu-160M2 strategic bomber made its maiden flight at the airfield of the Kazan Aviation Plant.