Tu-95/142... or "Mr. Bear"

Silent Hunter · 08-10-2007, 15:15 PM

Discussion of the Russian's longest range bomber.

Is it still of use today?

entropy · 08-10-2007, 15:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silent Hunter

Discussion of the Russian's longest range bomber.

Is it still of use today?

Yes. Very useful allround truck. ASW, long-range recon and bombing missions. The long range makes it great for patrolling the vast Russian coasts, and it will be kept in service for the same reason as the B-52 is kept in service.

Feanor · 08-10-2007, 19:44 PM

The B-52 is kept in service because no replacement is being developed. There are plans to keep them in service for so long that the airframes will be over 100 years old by the time they're retired.

wabpilot · 08-10-2007, 20:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by entropy

Yes. Very useful ... bombing missions.

I would be very suprised if any of the Bear As or even Bear Ts exist. The Bears that do still fly are the Bear D, E and F. They are used for ELINT, MR and ASW. The Bear H could possibly be flyable to launch cruise missiles, but I seriously doubt it. It would be a death trap. Besides, the VMF has struggled to keep their Backfires flyable. And the Backfire is a much better cruise missile carrier.

Mtwoodson · 08-18-2007, 12:24 PM

What are the Ruskie's currently using on the "recently revived" long-range arctic/polar patrols? Is it the Bears or something newer and smaller?

Silent Hunter · 08-18-2007, 16:07 PM

Bears and Blackjacks.

entropy · 08-20-2007, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wabpilot

I would be very suprised if any of the Bear As or even Bear Ts exist. The Bears that do still fly are the Bear D, E and F. They are used for ELINT, MR and ASW. The Bear H could possibly be flyable to launch cruise missiles, but I seriously doubt it. It would be a death trap. Besides, the VMF has struggled to keep their Backfires flyable. And the Backfire is a much better cruise missile carrier.

I have this from Tank-Net about missile/bomb capable bombers.

Quote:

Exactly 64 Tu-95MS BEAR-H bombers. Of two different types, the Tu-95MS6 and the Tu-95MS16. The latter used to be capable (it still is, really, they just removed the hardpoints) of carrying 16 Kh-55SMs, but one of the arms limitations treaties reduced it. The aircraft are getting upgraded to Tu-95MSM standard, armed with Kh-555 CALCMskis, Kh-101 "stealth" CALCMskis, and Kh-102 ACMskis.

The Tu-22M has a lot shorter range than the Bear.

All Backfires will be transferrer to Dalnaya Aviatsija (long-range aviation).

michaeljguess · 08-28-2007, 22:05 PM

Posted this on another thread, but it's relevant here to.

RAF Eurofighters intercept Russian bomber - Telegraph

<Mike>

Amaterasu · 08-29-2007, 00:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silent Hunter

Bears and Blackjacks.

Wha ?!! The ruskkies sending out Blackjacks on "patrols" ?!

Bluesman · 08-29-2007, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STIG

Wha ?!! The ruskkies sending out Blackjacks on "patrols" ?!

Not 'patrols', as you think of the term, but what we in intelligence refer to as 'out-of-area' flights. These are long-range nav, sim-strike, inter-airfield deployment and other missions, but they don't fit into 'patrol' profiles.

Jimmy · 09-01-2007, 03:58 AM

Assuming they can take off.

Feanor · 09-01-2007, 17:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy

Assuming they can take off.

The Blackjacks? There's only 17 in the entire VVS, and they're getting modernized so I'm pretty sure they're flight capable.

Jimmy · 09-01-2007, 18:55 PM

Its a very intense aircraft to maintain. With a fleet of only 17, its an accomplishment to get more than a couple ready to rock at any given time. Not a slam against the folks actually turning wrenches, its just not a friendly airframe.

08-10-2007, 15:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
Silent Hunter Contributor Join Date: 08-09-07 Location: London, UK Posts: 513 Country:	Tu-95/142... or "Mr. Bear" Discussion of the Russian's longest range bomber. Is it still of use today?

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08-10-2007, 19:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
Feanor Banished Join Date: 06-12-07 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,385 Country:	The B-52 is kept in service because no replacement is being developed. There are plans to keep them in service for so long that the airframes will be over 100 years old by the time they're retired.

08-18-2007, 12:24 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mtwoodson New Member Join Date: 05-18-07 Location: North of Phoenix Posts: 9 Country:	What are the Ruskie's currently using on the "recently revived" long-range arctic/polar patrols? Is it the Bears or something newer and smaller?

08-18-2007, 16:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
Silent Hunter Contributor Join Date: 08-09-07 Location: London, UK Posts: 513 Country:	Bears and Blackjacks.

08-28-2007, 22:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
michaeljguess New Member Join Date: 08-28-07 Posts: 5	Posted this on another thread, but it's relevant here to. RAF Eurofighters intercept Russian bomber - Telegraph <Mike>

09-01-2007, 03:58 AM	#11 (permalink)
Jimmy *Military Professional* Join Date: 11-16-05 Posts: 929 Country:	Assuming they can take off.

09-01-2007, 18:55 PM	#13 (permalink)
Jimmy *Military Professional* Join Date: 11-16-05 Posts: 929 Country:	Its a very intense aircraft to maintain. With a fleet of only 17, its an accomplishment to get more than a couple ready to rock at any given time. Not a slam against the folks actually turning wrenches, its just not a friendly airframe.

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