The Tu-160, on the other hand, is used more as a stand-off weapons platform, in which missiles are launched from the bomb bay doors while the РІР‚СљWhite SwanРІР‚Сњ would speed off at Mach 2+ to safety, the report said. The B-1 Lancer is somewhat smaller, and is a bomber in the classic sense. However, that is where the similarities end. Both have variable-sweep wings, both are supersonic and both are not stealths. The Tu-160 is outwardly somewhat similar to the American Rockwell B-1 Lancer which spurred its development. It was the last strategic bomber designed by the Soviets, and currently, there are at least sixteen in service. The Soviet-designed variable-sweep wing Tu-160 entered service in 1987. РІР‚СљThe Tu-160 strategic missile-carrying bombers were accompanied by Su-35S fighter jets along with foreign aircraft along certain sections of their route,РІР‚Сњ the defense ministry added, and the flight was conducted in strict compliance with international airspace rules, the report said. The Russians will likely build about 50 of the new Tu-160M - production versions of which will feature new avionics and upgraded versions of the Kuznetsov NK-32 after-burning turbofan. The aircraft were refueled mid-air three times from six IL-78 tankers, the report said. The base, which is solely operating location for Tu-160 aircraft, is named after the Communist philosopher Friedrich Engels.Р”Вuring the twenty-five hour flight, the aircraft flew over the neutral waters of the central part of the Arctic and Pacific Oceans as well as the Kara, Laptev, East Siberia, Chukchi, and Barents Seas. The Russian Defense Ministry said the two Tu-160 bombers, which were commanded by Major-General Oleg Pchela and Lieutenant Colonel Sergei Volkovitsky respectively, took off and landed at Engels Air Force Base outside of Saratov, the report said. РІР‚СљThe pilots of the Russian Aerospace Forces were in the air for more than 25 hours, covering a distance of more than 20,000 kilometers.РІР‚Сњ РІР‚СљTwo crews of the Long-Range Aviation have set a new record for distance and duration on Tu-160 supersonic strategic missile-carrying bombers,РІР‚Сњ Lieutenant-General Sergey Kobylash, the Russian Aerospace ForcesРІР‚в„ў Long-Range Aviation Commander told reporters.

Tu 160 bombers