MOSCOW. July 30 (Interfax) - The first comprehensively modernized Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bomber is completing its preliminary tests, and the manufacturing of the second such plane is nearing completion, United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) CEO Yury Slyusar said.
"Tupolev is carrying out comprehensive modernization of standard Tu-160s. The first plane of this series, the Tu-160M, carried out its first flight at the end of last year, it has successfully passed factory trials, and is now completing its preliminary trials in Zhukovsky," Slyusar said in an interview with the Russian Defense Ministry's official newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda.
"The Kazan Aircraft Production Association is completing the manufacturing of the second such plane, which will join the tests immediately," he said.
After that, the planes will be subjected to state trials, "where they're to be assessed by Defense Ministry specialists, including in conditions resembling a combat situation as much as possible," after which the modernized bombers will be delivered to the regular long-range air force units, he said.
Apart from comprehensive modernization, Tupolev is also assembling a new Tu-160M plane built from scratch, Slyusar said.
Speaking at a Defense Ministry annual board meeting earlier, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu set the goal of starting the Tu-160M's state trials in 2021.
It was said that, while the new plane's exterior would not be different from the basic version, its combat capability would be significantly enhanced, including through expanding the set of weapons it can carry. In addition, this aircraft would be fitted with a new version of the NK-32 engines currently under construction, which would extend its range by 1,000 kilometers.
Tupolev said the Tu-160M will have new piloting and navigation equipment, onboard communications and control systems, radar station, and electronic warfare equipment.
The Tu-160 is a supersonic variable-sweep wing strategic bomber designed at the Tupolev Design Bureau in the 1970s-1980s. It is intended to destroy the most important targets in an enemy's deep rear with both nuclear and conventional weapons. It can carry 12 cruise missiles, with all of its weapons placed inside the fuselage.