On Wednesday, the Tu-160M strategic missile carrier made its maiden flight from the airfield of the Kazan Aviation Plant, a branch of Tupolev (part of the UAC of the Rostec State Corporation). This is stated in a message that was received by Izvestia on January 12.
The flight took place at an altitude of 600 m and lasted about 30 minutes. The crew of test pilots of PJSC “Tupolev” performed maneuvers to check the stability and controllability of the aircraft in the air.
The program of reproduction of Tu-160 aircraft in the modernized form of Tu-160M was launched by the decision of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In January 2018, a state contract was signed between the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation and the Tupolev company for the supply of the first batch of Tu-160M. The agreement provides for the creation of 10 aircraft.
As part of the program under the state contract between the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Tupolev company, the design documentation for the Tu-160M was fully digitized in a short time, the technology of vacuum welding of titanium products was restored, the production of airframe units was resumed, and a new cooperation was formed from leading industrial enterprises in the field of metallurgy, aircraft construction , mechanical engineering and instrument making, the bulk of which is part of “Rostec”.
“We have restored the full production cycle of the Tu-160, but already in the M modification, using modernized engines, modernized aircraft control systems, navigation systems, and weapons control systems. The modernization of the Kazan Aviation Plant played an important role in restoring the production of unique aircraft: the equipment of the shops, the flight test base was updated, the world’s largest installation for electron beam welding and vacuum annealing of titanium was put into operation, ”the head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov said in the message.
He added that the department sees “significant prospects” for the Tu-160 platform: further development will allow it to be used for new types of weapons, including promising ones.
The aircraft retains its appearance, but is created on a new technological base using digital technologies.
“The fundamental importance of today’s event is that the new machine has been completely rebuilt from scratch,” said UAC General Director Yuri Slyusar.
He noted that 80% of the systems and equipment in the new car were updated and modernized. The implementation of the program for the modernization and reproduction of the Tu-160 strategic missile carriers required an upgrade of the production base.
Tupolev Managing Director Vadim Korolyov said that within the framework of the program at the Kazan aircraft plant, more than 40% of the shop equipment had been updated and modernized, a significant part of the team had received additional training.
Tu-160 “White Swan” (NATO classification – Blackjack) is a multi-mode supersonic strategic bomber with variable wing geometry. Designed to destroy targets with nuclear and conventional missiles, including those deep behind enemy lines. The aircraft has been repeatedly recognized by military experts as one of the most formidable in the world.
Source: IZ
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
