Tupolev Tu-85
| Tu-85 | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Type | Heavy/Strategic bomber |
| National origin | Soviet Union |
| Manufacturer | Tupolev |
| Status | Cancelled |
| Number built | 2 |
| History | |
| First flight | 9 January 1951 |
| Developed from | Tupolev Tu-4 Tupolev Tu-80 |
The Tupolev Tu-85 (Russian: Туполев Ту-85; USAF/DoD reporting name: "Type 31", NATO reporting name: Barge) was a Soviet prototype strategic bomber based on the Tu-4, an unlicensed, reverse engineered copy of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress. It was the ultimate development of the B-29 family, being over 50% heavier than its progenitor and had nearly double the range. Only two prototypes were built before the program was cancelled in favor of the turboprop powered Tupolev Tu-95 bomber which could cover the same range at a far higher speed.