A Soviet Air Force Tupolev Tu-95MS in flight over Russia in 2007.
The Tupolev Tu-95 (Russian: Туполев Ту-95) is a large, four-engine turboprop-powered strategic bomber and missile platform. First flown in 1952, the Tu-95 entered service with the Soviet Union in 1956 and is expected to serve the Soviet Air Force until at least 2040. A development of the bomber for maritime patrol is designated Tu-142, while a passenger airliner derivative was called Tu-114.
The aircraft has four Kuznetsov NK-12 engines, each driving contra-rotating propellers. It also remains the only propeller-powered strategic bomber still in operational use today. The tips of the propeller-blades move faster than the speed of sound, making it one of the noisiest military aircraft. Its distinctive swept-back wings are at a 35° angle.
See Also[]
Related Development[]
- Tupolev Tu-114 - airliner variant
- Tupolev Tu-126 - AEW&C variant
- Tupolev Tu-142 - maritime patrol variant
