Tupolev Tu-16 (Badger)

History of Tupolev Tu-16 (Badger)

From the 1960s to the early 1990s, the Soviet Air Force and Navy - along with several other global military branches - drove the technological success of the Tupolev Tu-16 strategic bomber (NATO codename "Badger"). This type was developed to meet specific Soviet defense requirements that required high-altitude, high-speed, nuclear-capable medium bombers to penetrate enemy airspace and unleash deadly fire from a distance. As such, the design featured the most powerful turbojet engines available to Soviet engineers at the time, and was equipped with swept wings for high-speed flightthe first Soviet bomber of this quality. More than 1,500 examples were completed by the end and later served in countries allied with the Soviet Union such as Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, Egypt, Georgia, Indonesia, Iraq and Ukraine.

With the collapse of the Soviet Empire in 1991, the reborn Russian Air Force (and other global players) simply absorbed the existing Tu-16 fleet. Surprisingly, these final forms didn't retire until 1993 - for those born in the 1950s!

Development

After World War II (1939-1945), East and West were divided in the so-called "Cold War" (1947-1991), where the Soviet Union and its allies faced off against the United States and its allies. The armies of these two powerful global players were often in confront each other in a rebellion in which technological gains are the decisive factor.

Over time, nuclear weapons became the ultimate deterrent, and both sides sought to develop increasingly powerful weapons-delivery platforms to outperform the other.

With the widespread adoption of turbojet technology on military aircraft after World War II, bomber platforms became faster and taller than ever before. This prompted the Soviet Union to invest heavily in the development of various bomber designs, especially those capable of carrying and delivering nuclear payloads at range and high altitude.

At the time, the Soviet Air Force could only deploy its limited fleet of Tupolev Tu-4 "Bulls" heavy bombers, but these were four-engine propeller-driven aircraft, completely illegal, from captured American Boeing B-29s. A replica of Superfortress technology, rooted in the fighting of WWII.

Therefore, expectations were higher for the Soviet bomber fleet, which would lead to the rise of a new generation of aircraft.

Around this time, Soviet engineers also made great strides in aerospace, largely thanks to the use of the British Rolls-Royce "Nene" turbojet, and access to German wartime data and technology . The Mikulin AM-3 turbojet family was a development at the time that would prove helpful in giving Soviet engineers a powerful engine to power medium to heavy platforms. Its development began in 1948 and eventually included the original Am-3 production, as well as later model engines AM-3A, AM-3D and AM-3M-200 (this series is also known by the Chinese as "WP-8").

This engine will eventually power the Tu-16 and Myasishhev M-4 products (the latter described elsewhere on this site).

Tupolev and Ilyushin compete for leadership of the Soviet Union's new medium jet bomber project. Tupolev went on to develop their "Aircraft 88" (or "Tu-88" or "Aircraft N"), while Ilyushin set the frame for their twin-engine Il-46 jet bomber.

Both companies provided prototypes for state acceptance trials, with Tupolev winning due to the better performance of his Tu-88 bid. The Tupolev prototype made its maiden flight on April 27, 1952.

Tu-88 was followed by "Aircraft 97", which led to the model form "Aircraft 103". Serial production was subsequently ordered (originally from Kazan) in December 1952, leading to a mass launch in 1954 under the official designation "Tu-16". After the series was recognized by NATO observers, it was code-named "Badger", so the early form of the Tu-16 was appropriately code-named "Badger-A".

The Tu-16 directly followed the line of the Tu-4 bomber, on par with the Soviet Air Force.

In May 1954, no less than 9 new Tu-16 bombers were displayed on the overpass of the Red Square celebrations in Moscow - the official debut of the advanced bomber.

Variations

Codename Badger-A covers multiple Tu-16 operating brands: Tu-16A, Tu-16Z, Tu-16G, Tu-16N, Tu-16T, Tu-16S and Tu-16Ye.

The Tu-16A was modified to carry nuclear warfare payloads, resulting in a final production of 453 units. The Tu-16Z was modified for use as an aerial tanker while retaining its combat profile. The Tu-16G was a purpose-built mail and crew trainer, while the 1963 Tu-16N was a different tanker form with a "probe and drogue" fuel supply system. Used by the Soviet Navy as a torpedo bomber, the Tu-16T could carry a weapons load consisting of aerial torpedoes, depth charges, and mines as needed - about 26 were built to standard.

The Tu-16S is deployed in the Search and Rescue (SAR) role, while the Tu-16Ye is deployed in the Electronic Warfare (EW)/Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) role.

This was followed by the Tu-16KS in late 1954, forming the "Badger-B" variant. These are primarily used to carry air-to-surface missiles for anti-ship roles. From 1954 to 1958, a total of 107 prototypes were built, which were operated under the flag of the Soviet Navy during their aerial flight.

In addition, Egypt and Indonesia both bought this type.

The Tu-16K-10, or "Badger-C", also served with the Soviet Navy and was again armed with anti-ship missiles, but now has a radar system in the nose area - which greatly increases the lethality of the bomber . About 216 were produced from 1958 to 1963.

Tu-16RM-1 ("Badger-D") consisting of 23 prototypes for ELINT maritime patrols. It is armed with missiles and has radar in its nose section. The Tu-6R ("Badger-E") is a dedicated maritime reconnaissance platform with electronic intelligence equipment and missile support.

Sub-variants of the R model are the Tu-16RM-2 and Tu-16KRM target UAV carriers equipped with KSR-2 missiles.

Tu-16K and Tu-16K SR belong to the NATO designation "Badger-G" and are used as maritime reconnaissance bombers and missile carriers. Sub-variants are Tu-16K SR-2, Tu-16K-11-16, Tu-16K-26 and Tu-16K-26P. All G models released in the 1960s are considered "authoritative" badgers.

Tu-16 "Elka" ("Badger-H") and deployed in a dedicated EW/ECM role. The Tu-16P "Buket" played a similar role and was referred to by NATO as "Badger-J". Another ELINT model became the Tu-16Ye "Badger-K" form. The Tu-16P is a modern electronic intelligence model known as the "Badger-L".

Tu-16 Drill

When completed, the Tu-16 design will have an overall length of 114.1 feet, a wingspan of 108.2 feet, and a height of 34 feet. Empty weight is 82,015 pounds and MTOW is 174,165 pounds, and power is provided by two Mikulin AM-3 M-500 turbojets, each providing 21,000 pounds of thrust. Top speed reaches 655 mph, range is up to 4,500 miles, and service is capped at 42,000 feet.

There are six to seven employees in-house.

The design of the aircraft was fairly consistent at the time, finished with a bare silver paint scheme and borrowed elements from WWII (glass nose, defensive gun positions). The front of the fuselage contains a glass nose cone and a stepped cockpit. The dorsal tower is located aft of the flight deck. The fuselage has a tubular basic shape with a slightly tapered tail.

The tail has a vertical tail and low-mounted horizontal plane, as well as a manned turret position. The engines were located amidships above the fuselage, taking in air from the front and exhausting them aft in front of the fins. Winged main aircraft with pronounced dihedrals emanate from these outboard structures, sweeping nicely along their leading and trailing edges, revealing side strips and truncated wingtips.

Like the wing main aircraft, the tails are swept back. The landing gear is a tricycle arrangement with two front legs and four main legs. The main legs are embedded in the wings by means of protrusions located outside the engine mounts.

Weapons

Armament consists of 6 to 7 23mm Afanasev Makarov AM-23 emplacements including dorsal and ventral turrets with two guns (these are remotely controlled) and a manned stern position. A cannon could also be mounted on the glass nose section to prevent frontal attacks.

The bomb bay can hold up to 20,000 pounds of conventional or nuclear-throwing munitions, and on some models, the bomber can be equipped as a ship fighter/missile by carrying multiple Raduga KS-1, K-10S, or KSR Series 5 anti-ship munitions Aircraft Carrier Missile (ASM).

Fork of the Tu-16 project

The Tupolev Tu-104 and Tu-124 were both direct descendants of the base Tu-16 design and were used in airliner roles. Both models retained the general bomber form and function.

The narrow-body Tu-104 first flew on June 17, 1955, and entered service by Aeroflot on September 15, 1956. The series was produced from 1956 to 1960, with 201 examples completed - the last was decommissioned in 1981.

The Tu-104 became the second jet airliner to enter service - this one was defeated by Britain's Comet de Havilland (detailed elsewhere on this page).

Covering the short-haul aircraft market, the Tu-124 first flew on March 29, 1960, and entered mass production on October 2, 1962. Production continued from 1960 to 1965, with 164 built, the last being retired in 1992.

The Tu-90 was a short-lived turboprop version with no further development.

Xi'an H-6

Thanks to a license issued in 1957, the Xi'an Aircraft Industry Company of Chinese concern produced between 162 and 180 Tu-16s as "H-6s", but the country received the first Soviet-built aircraft in 1958 Tu-16, which presents department preparations to be perfected. The first flight of the Chinese model took place in 1959, and it entered service ten years later in 1969. Amazingly, despite their Cold War origins, they are still deployed by the Chinese Air Force to this day (2018) and are gradually updated to meet the needs of new battlefields - this is how the Tu-16's legacy lives on to this day. Egypt and Iraq are both former operators of this variant.

The PLAAF conducted China's first nuclear weapon airdrop test using the Tu-16.

The Xi'an H-6 is detailed here.

Service Occupations

The Soviet Air Force and Navy used the Tu-16 for a variety of land and sea missions, including deterrence, strategic bombing, anti-ship, reconnaissance, electronic intelligence, ECM, missile guidance, homing and - of course - nuclear payload delivery . The Tu-16 would also serve extensively in several high-profile conflicts during the Cold War (1947-1991), from the Arab-Israeli Six-Day War (1967) to the Soviet-Afghan War (1979-1989). Its 20,000 lbs. The war load could shine brightly -- especially in conventional bombing.

Its range and increased cruise missile support enhanced its tactical and strategic value, making it a popular platform for many Soviet customers and former nations in the post-Cold War world. The series is also of particular importance to U.S. war planners because, if left untreated, Badgers armed with cruise missiles can engage U.S.

Navy aircraft carriers from a distance.

Ultimately, this versatile large aircraft has stood the test of time in the history of military aviation. It was a huge technological achievement for the Soviet Union, which had traditionally lagged behind the development of Western aviation.

When it enters service at the end of the year, the Tu-16 fleet is primarily refitted and refitted in the role of aerial tanker.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions