[Stoat]

The C130 Hercules can easily carry over 20 tons. And that's what they used to drop this thing.

"Quizzical expression on face"

bbbbut....both the Daily Mail and Reuters report the aircraft to be the Tupolev Tu-160:

It showed a Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bomber dropping the bomb over a testing ground. A large explosion followed.

[Spiff]

"Quizzical expression on face" bbbbut....both the Daily Mail and Reuters report the aircraft to be the Tupolev Tu-160:

Don't I feel stupid. I saw Hercules C130 mentioned in the article and, while it seemed mighty strange that the Russians could get one and use it, I went with that. The C130 mention was for the MOAB, not the Russian bomb. Duh...

But, my point remains. The Tupolev Tu-160 can handle over 40 tons of payload.