Russia to commission new stealth bomber in 2025-2030

RIA Novosti ^ | 12/22/2010 | RIA Novosti

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Russia’s new strategic bomber will use stealth technologies and is expected to enter service in 2025-2030, the commander of Russia’s strategic aviation said on Tuesday.

According to Maj. Gen. Anatoly Zhikharev, the stealth technology will make "the new aircraft difficult to detect by radar, although it is impossible to make airplanes of this type completely invisible.”

"However, new technologies and materials will help reduce the possibility of detection,” Zhikarev said, adding that the new airplane was expected to enter service in 2025-2030.

The new strategic bomber will replace the Tu-95MC Bear and Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bombers, and Tu-22M3 Backfire long-range bombers currently in service with Russia’s strategic aviation.

According to various sources, in addition to 16 Tu-160 bombers, the Russian Air Force currently has 40 Tu-95MS bombers and 141 Tu-22M3 bombers in service.

These aircraft will form the backbone of the Russian strategic aviation in the next decade following extensive modernization.

“We expect to receive two upgraded Tu-160 planes from the Kazan plant and to have two more aircraft in for repair by the end of December, so this process is continuous,” Zhikharev said.

The general said the modernization included the overhaul of obsolete communications, electronic warfare, targeting, and fire-control systems.

“We are planning to complete this modernization by 2015,” he added

[oyez]

Expensive technology. I hope they go broke.

[PittsburghAfterDark]

Since we’re no longer in the strategic bomber business I would like to think that someplace over Nevada they’re working on something that makes the B-2 look obsolete that just happens to be unmanned.

Of course I believe that’s wishful thinking. We have nothing on the drawing board to haul lots of iron a long way.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

I have heard of the B-3 program

[Talisker]

Yeah, well we're gonna have new stealth technology then, too.

[matt1234]

Let’s give it the NATO designation “Bambi.”

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

lol

[Primorsky]

Probably with plasma stealth technology :) There some speculations: Funny Some concept

[Vendome]

2025+!? Really? That is some long range planning.

Thanks for the heads up, Red.

[Vendome]

What was B-4 that?

[Primorsky]

And some new toys for existing and future Russian bombers:

“We have tested cruise missiles with extended range, referred to in the press X-101 and X-102. With a range missiles in the 5500 km and a range of media 4000 - 5000 km range can strike throughout the depth of the United States. Thus, the project forward the submarine with a standard revolver launcher in the compartment (6 H-55/H-555, 5 H-101/102) and four new engines with thrust of 15,500 kgf. is quite possible and reasonable.”

[max americana]

>Since we’re no longer in the strategic bomber business I would like to think that someplace over Nevada they’re working on something that makes the B-2 look obsolete that just happens to be unmanned.

By legend, according to the founder of Skunkworks who supposedly visited Dreamland’, he claimed that “whatever you saw on those science fiction films?...we have them”.

[Future Snake Eater]

Interesting. But until I see a U.S.-flagged Star Destroyer orbiting Mars....

[PittsburghAfterDark]

I would love to think that “whatever you saw on those science fiction films?...we have them”.

After reading more Dale Brown books than I can count it just seems to me that stuff like that isn’t made by us anymore. Then of course you see all the stuff on the Discovery, History or Military Channel that just looks so damn cool.

The annual defense review and all this bellyaching that says that we’ll never face a nation state in wide open conflict is such a bunch of wishful thinking. Of course any rational person will know that someone somewhere will think they can get away with an invasion or open conflict with the U.S.. I just wonder what we can unleash that we haven’t.

For example when we retired the EF-111, EA-6B and F-4 Wild Weasels it appeared that EAD capability had just vanished. Now you just don’t hear much about aircraft specialized in that mission area. However there’s no way the navy or air force gave it all up for nothing.

I’d like to think the long haul heavy iron business is the same thing. I have no problem with not knowing exactly what we have as long as I know we have it.

[Primorsky]

FEAR THE BEAR! Stealth-optimised X-101 / X-55 ALCMs on pylons

[American Constitutionalist]

The first stealth bomber was introduced to the public on November 22 1988, that was 22 years ago, so, it’s safe to say that it’s obsolete and they have already built one that is better technology.

[American Constitutionalist]

I was watching a show a few years back of someone ( IN THE KNOW ) that said, you see those things in Star Wars ? been there, done that...

[Former War Criminal]

Why don’t the Ruskies simply claim that their new bomber is completely invisible and roll it out now?

[Primorsky]

Ruskies are realists, not promoters.
Unlike Lockheed Martin , who claiming advertising bullshit about F-22 with 0.0001 m2 all-round RCS (less than mosquito actually, physically impossible for aircraft)