What Is The Tu-160 Blackjack?
The Tu-160 Blackjack. The world’s largest and heaviest Mach-2 capable combat aircraft, equipped with variable-sweep strategic wings.
Russia
Origin
Strategic bomber
Role
Mach 2.05
Top speed
16,000 m
Service ceiling
Tu-160 Blackjack Specifications
The Tupolev Tu-160 Blackjack is the world’s largest, heaviest supersonic combat aircraft. Featuring variable-sweep wings and four Kuznetsov NK-32 afterburning turbofans hitting Mach 2.05, it carries up to 88,000 lbs of nuclear or conventional long-range cruise missiles inside dual bays.
Performance
Top speed
Mach 2.05 (1,380 mph)
Service ceiling
52,500 ft (16,000 m)
Combat radius
1,100 nmi (2,000 km)
Rate of climb
13,800 ft/min (70 m/s)
Airframe
Crew
4
Length
177 ft 6 in (54.10 m)
Wingspan
182 ft 9 in (55.70 m) spread/116 ft 10 in (35.60 m) swept
Empty weight
242,500 lbs (110,000 kg)
Engine
4x Kuznetsov NK-32 afterburning turbofans
Service
First flight
18 December 1981
Unit cost
$250 million
Operators
Russia (Russian Long-Range Aviation)
What Weapons Does The Tu-160 Blackjack Carry?
The Tu-160 Blackjack is an aircraft that features two internal rotary launchers holding up to 88,000 lbs of weaponry, deploying 12 Raduga Kh-555 or stealthy Kh-101 nuclear and conventional long-range standoff cruise missiles.
Weapon
Category
Loadout
Range
Kh-55 (AS-15 Kent)
Category
Strategic Cruise Missile
Loadout
Up to 12 missiles
Range
2,500 km (1,553 miles)
Kh-101
Category
Stealth Cruise Missile
Loadout
Up to 12 missiles
Range
4,500 km (2,796 miles)
Kh-15 (AS-16 Kickback)
Category
Short-Range Attack Missile
Loadout
Up to 24 missiles
Range
300 km (186 miles)
FAB-500
Category
General-Purpose Bomb
Loadout
Up to 40,000 kg total
Range
Gravity released
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
How Fast Is The Tu-160 Blackjack?
The Tu-160 reaches Mach 2.05, around 1,380 mph, making it the fastest bomber in service anywhere. Its variable-geometry wings sweep from 20 to 65 degrees, allowing efficient subsonic cruise on long-range patrols and supersonic dash on approach to a target. At over 275 tonnes fully loaded, it is the heaviest aircraft ever to fly supersonically.
How Was The Tu-160 Blackjack Developed?
Designed to counter the American B-1 programme, the Tu-160 emerged from a Soviet requirement for a supersonic bomber capable of carrying stand-off nuclear cruise missiles. Tupolev's design beat rival Myasishchev and Sukhoi proposals, and the prototype flew on 18 December 1981. The collapse of the Soviet Union left airframes stranded in Ukraine, several of which were later transferred to Russia in exchange for gas debt.
Has The Tu-160 Blackjack Seen Combat?
The Tu-160 first saw combat in 2015, launching cruise missiles against targets in Syria. It has been used to launch Kh-101 missiles against Ukraine from 2022, typically firing from well inside Russian airspace. Its role is stand-off missile carriage rather than penetration.
Who Operates The Tu-160 Blackjack?
Russia is the sole operator, with around 17 airframes in service. Production restarted in 2018 with modernised Tu-160M examples, the first newly built aircraft delivered in 2022 – making it one of very few Cold War designs back in production.
Tu-160 Blackjack FAQs
Common questions about the Tu-160 Blackjack, its capabilities and whether civilians can fly it.
Can I fly in the Tu-160 Blackjack as a civilian?
No, the Tu-160 Blackjack is not available for civilian passenger flights. Jetify offers flights in ex-military aircraft that have been demilitarised and placed on a civil register, such as the L-39 Albatros, Hawker Hunter and MiG-15 Fagot, across 7 aircraft types from 11 airfields in 7 countries.
Can I take the controls of the Tu-160 Blackjack?
No, you cannot take the controls of the Tu-160 Blackjack, because it is not available for civilian passenger flights. On the aircraft Jetify does operate, such as the L-39 Albatros, most allow you to take the controls in level flight and gentle turns once your pilot is satisfied you are comfortable.
How much does a flight in the Tu-160 Blackjack cost?
The Tu-160 Blackjack is not available for civilian passenger flights, so there is no price for a flight in one. Jetify flights in jets such as the L-39 Albatros start from around £2,500, $3,300 or €2,900, while the MiG-15 Fagot, Aermacchi S.211 and Lockheed T-33 start from around £2,800 ($3,800, €3,400). The Hawker Hunter, the fastest aircraft currently bookable, starts from around £6,400, $8,500 or €7,600. Every price is per person and includes ground school, flight suit, helmet and pre-flight medical screening.
Are there weight limits on a jet flight instead of the Tu-160 Blackjack?
The Tu-160 Blackjack is not available for civilian passenger flights, but all jet flight experiences enforce strict height and weight limits set by ejection seat clearances, cockpit dimensions and harness fit. Height is typically 5ft 2in (157 cm) to 6ft 4in (193 cm), and weight is generally capped at 16 st 7 lb to 18 st 12 lb (105 kg to 120 kg) depending on the aircraft. You also need normal cardiovascular health, with no heart conditions, severe high blood pressure or recent surgery.
How much G-force would I feel on a jet flight instead of the Tu-160 Blackjack?
The Tu-160 Blackjack is not available for civilian passenger flights, but on a civilian jet experience aerobatic profiles typically reach four to eight positive G in sustained turns and around minus four negative G. You learn the anti-G straining manoeuvre in ground school, which keeps you conscious under load. Supersonic and high-altitude profiles are physically far easier, and what happens in the air is agreed with your pilot and can be adjusted at any point.
How far in advance should I book a jet flight instead of the Tu-160 Blackjack?
The Tu-160 Blackjack is not available for civilian passenger flights, but you should book a real ex-military jet experience, such as the L-39 Albatros, 2 to 4 months in advance because of limited aircraft availability, maintenance schedules and airspace clearances. For weekend slots in peak summer months, allow 6 months. Simulator experiences generally need 2 to 3 weeks’ notice for standard weekend bookings.
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