Next week, the Bear Faction will be getting 7 bomber units. This line of bombers features some of the most iconic Tupolev planes, starting with the Tu-4 at Tier 2 and ending with the Tu-160M2 at Tier 8, which is second only to the B-2 long-range strategic bomber in terms of performance. Let’s take a look at these units.
T2 - Tu-4
The Tu-4 is a bomber that began development in the latter part of World War II and can be seen as the Soviet Union’s answer to the American B-29. It has a conventional aerodynamic layout, and comes equipped with four turboprop engines. As a long-range strategic bomber, it features the abilities to travel long distances and carry large payloads. In 1946, the first Tu-4 prototype began to be tested, and made a public appearance in 1947. In total, the Soviet Union built 1,200 Tu-4 bombers; the Soviet Air Force’s Tu-4s were retired in the mid-1950s, with the rest of the bombers being retired in the early 1960s.
T3 - Tu-16
The Tu-16 bomber is a Soviet dual-engine high subsonic strategic bomber. With a streamlined fuselage and two Tumansky turbojet engines on either side, the Tu-16 was developed in 1950, had its first flight in 1952, and was retired in 1966.
T4 - Tu-16B
The Tu-16B is similar to the plane on which it is based, but is equipped with two AS-1 aerodynamic anti-ship missiles mounted on the hanging points under its wings. It was later followed by the Tu-16C in 1961. This type of aircraft carries a K-10S anti-ship missile in a semi-embedded manner under the fuselage.
T5 - Tu-22
The Tu-22 bomber is a Soviet/Russian supersonic strategic bomber and the first supersonic bomber used by the Soviet Union. It was originally designed to replace the Tu-16, and was capable of breaking through air defense networks with its supersonic flight. Equipped with two RD-7 turbojet engines above its tail, it is capable of reaching a flying speed of Mach 1.5 and can hold up to 9 tons of ammunition, including cruise missiles. The Tu-22 flew for the first time in September 1969 and formally joined the Soviet Air Force in 1962, with a total production of more than 300 planes. After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the last Tu-22 bomber was decommissioned from the Ukrainian Air Force in 1998.
T6 - Tu-22M
Like the plane upon which it is built, the Tu-22M bomber is a Soviet supersonic long-range strategic bomber. The aircraft can carry out both strategic nuclear bombing and tactical bombing, especially with high-power anti-ship missiles that it can use to attack aircraft carrier formations from long distances. It flew for the first time in 1972, and about 500 were produced from this time period until 1993. After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, due to its complicated maintenance and Russia’s economic difficulties, production was ended. There are still about 114 Tu-22Ms in service in Russia today.
T7 - Tu-160
The Tu-160 bomber is a Soviet/Russian supersonic long-range strategic bomber. The Tu-160 bomber flies in a high-altitude subsonic cruise, in low-altitude subsonic flight, or in high-altitude supersonic flight. When used for anti-air suppression missions, they can launch short-range missiles, but are also capable of using nuclear bombs at low-altitude flight. The Tu-160 bomber entered service in May 1987. Its white paintjob and elegant appearance have led it to be dubbed the “White Swan.”
T8 - Tu-160M2
In May 2015, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an order to resume production of the Tu-160 bomber, this time called the Tu-160M2. A total of 50 are planned to be produced. The biggest change in this version of the bomber is the use of a brand-new cockpit and electronic warfare system. The bomber is capable of using Kh-55, Kh-101/102 cruise missiles, and unguided bombs, and is planned to be equipped with a new type of long-range cruise missile that is currently in development.
That wraps up the preview of Bear Faction bombers that will be making their debut in Iron Conflict next week. Next, we’ll take a look at the all-new tanks that will be premiering in the same update. Stay tuned!
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