A modernized Tu-95 strategic bomber made a new test flight, Russian state-owned company announced United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) on Monday (16). Called the Tu-95MSM, the model is an upgrade of the Tu-95MS16 version. 

“Under the test program, a highly upgraded Tu-95MSM missile-carrying bomber performed a new flight. During the flight, all necessary tests of its systems and equipment were carried out.”, the press office said in a statement.

The first prototype of the latest modernization of the classic Tu-95 made its first flight in August 2020. In this update the Bear, as it is called by NATO, received the Meteor-NM2 air defense complex, SOI-021 system information displays, Novella-NV1.021 radar and an improved version of the Kuznetsov NK-12 turboprop engines, called NK -12MPM. 

The UAC claims that “in particular, the upgrade has considerably improved the efficiency and reliability of the aircraft platform to fulfill assigned missions.” Tu-95 modernization is carried out by Tupolev and Beriev Aircraft companies, both controlled by UAC. The upgrade will allow the aircraft to be operational until 2025. 

Oldest bomber in Russia

The Tupolev Tu-95 emerged as a response to the North American B-52 Stratofortress. Both flew for the first time in 1952, seven months apart. And just like its western counterpart, the Tu-95 has received a number of upgrades over its seven decades of service with Russia's Long Range Aviation. 

Today the Tu-95 is Moscow's oldest bomber, although age seems to be just a detail for this powerful aircraft. The four NK-12 turboprops accelerate the plane to around 900 km/h, making it the fastest turboprop in the world. It has a range of 15 kilometers, which can be multiplied by in-flight refueling.

Over the years, the Tu-95 changed its bombs for long-range missiles, and for this reason it is called by its operators a “missile carrier bomber”. It has been widely used against Ukraine, using Kh-22 anti-ship missiles and Kh-101 cruise missiles. 

Around 55 Tu-95s are still in service with Russia.