The Russian Tu-160M2 Blackjack completed its first flight with new serial NK-32-02 turbofan engines at Kazan Aviation Plant S.P. Gorbunov, United Aircraft Corp. announced on Nov. 3. (UAC)
The Russian Tu-160M2 Blackjack, a supersonic variable-sweep wing heavy strategic bomber, completed its first flight with new serial NK-32-02 turbofan engines at Kazan Aviation Plant S.P. Gorbunov, United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) announced on Nov. 3 in a tweet.
According to UAC, the flight lasted two hours and 20 minutes at an altitude of 6,000 meters and was led by Anri Naskidyats, whose crew piloted the mission.
“During the flight, the necessary checks were performed on the updated general aircraft systems and on-board electronic equipment installed as part of a deep modernization of the aircraft, as well as the performance of the new NK-32 series 02 engine, developed and manufactured by the United Engine Corporation [UEC],” the UAC said.
According to the UAC, the flight lasted two hours and 20 minutes at an altitude of 6,000 meters and was led by Anri Naskidyats, whose crew piloted the mission. (UAC)
The NK-32-02 turbofan engines were reported to be the largest and most powerful turbofan jet engines ever fitted on a combat aircraft by The Diplomat in 2017 when the upgrade was first announced. UEC said the engines will allow longer-range flights.
The Tu-160, unofficially named the White Swan, is historic in military aviation being the largest supersonic and variable geometry-wing aircraft. It is also the world’s heaviest combat aircraft with the highest gross take-off weight among bombers. The aircraft first flew in Dec. 1981. The Russian Ministry of Defense announced the full modernization of the Tu-160 fleet in 2017 after resuming manufacturing in 2015.
The Tu-160 is part of Russia’s nuclear triad.