Tupolev Tu-95
| Tupolev Tu-95 | |
|---|---|
| A Tu-95MS flying over Moscow, 2008. | |
| General information | |
| Type | Strategic heavy nuclear bomber |
| National origin | Soviet Union |
| Manufacturer | Aviakor |
| Designer | Tupolev |
| Status | In limited service |
| Primary users | Russian Aerospace Forces |
| Number built | >500 |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1952–1993 |
| Introduction date | 1956 |
| First flight | 12 November 1952 |
| Variants | Tupolev Tu-114 Tupolev Tu-142 Tupolev Tu-95LAL Tupolev Tu-116 |
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The Tupolev Tu-95 (Russian: Туполев Ту-95; NATO reporting name: "Bear") is a large, four-engine turboprop-powered strategic bomber and missile platform. First flown in 1952, the Tu-95 entered service with the Long-Range Aviation of the Soviet Air Forces in 1956 and was first used in combat in 2015. It is expected to serve the Russian Aerospace Forces until at least 2040.
A development of the bomber for maritime patrol is designated the Tu-142, while a passenger airliner derivative was called the Tu-114.
The aircraft has four Kuznetsov NK-12 engines with contra-rotating propellers. It is the only turboprop-powered strategic bomber still in operational use today. The Tu-95 is one of the loudest military aircraft, particularly because the tips of the propeller blades move faster than the speed of sound. Its distinctive swept-back wings are set at an angle of 35°. The Tu-95 is the only propeller-driven aircraft with swept wings built in large numbers.