A Soviet Navy Tu-142M flying above the clouds.
The Tupolev Tu-142 is a maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft derived from the Tu-95 turboprop strategic bomber. A specialised communications variant designated Tu-142MR was tasked with long-range communications duties with Soviet submarines. The Tu-142 was designed by the Tupolev design bureau, and manufactured by the Kuibyshev Aviation and Taganrog Machinery Plants from 1968 to 1994. It is in service in the Arabian, Soviet and Ukrainian navies.
Variants[]
- Tu-142: A lengthened Tu-95 with much defensive armament removed, and instead incorporating ASW systems. Twelve aircraft initially had 12-wheel main undercarriage bogies. Six later aircraft had four-wheel bogies. Built by Kuibyshev Aviation Plant.
- Tu-142M: A 12 inch (30.5 centimeter) stretch to front fuselage, redesigned cockpit and two-axle main undercarriage bogies. Built by Taganrog.
- Tu-142MK: Greatly improved variant with new Korshun radar, avionics and ASW equipment. 43 Tu-142MKs were constructed by Taganrog.
- Tu-142MK-E: Downgraded variant intended for export.
- Tu-142MZ: The last production variant of the "Bear F", with new NK-12MP engines and a new avionics suite. Can be distinguished from other Tu-142s by its chin fairings. Built by Taganrog.
- Tu-142MZ-K: Proposed commercial cargo variant of the Tu-142M3 (the K standing for "kommercheskiy"), with ASW avionics removed. Also designated Tu-142M3-C.
- Tu-142MP: Modified single Tu-142M used as avionics testbed.
- Tu-142MR: Modified Tu-142MKs built as submarine communications relay aircraft. Has distinctive external fairings and components.
- Tu-142LL: wo converted earlier Tu-142s used for testing of turbofan engines. ASW equipment was removed.
