View source for Tupolev Tu-160

{{Short description|Russian strategic bomber aircraft}}
{{pp|small=yes}} 
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox aircraft
| name = Tu-160
| image = Tupolev Tu-160 RF-94109.jpg
| caption = Tupolev Tu-160 overflying [[Moscow]] as part of the [[2014 Moscow Victory Day Parade|Victory Day Parade in 2014]], Russia
| type = [[Supersonic]] [[strategic bomber|strategic]] [[heavy bomber]]
| image_caption = A Tu-160 flying over the [[Volga]] in 2014.
| national_origin = [[Soviet Union]]/[[Russia]]
| design_group = [[Tupolev]]
| builder = [[Kazan Aircraft Production Association]]
| first_flight = 18 December 1981
| introduction = April 1987
| retired = 
| produced = 1984–1992, 2002, 2008, 2017, 2021–present
| number_built = 41 (9 test and 32 serial){{cn|date=May 2023}}
| status = In service
| primary_user = [[Russian Aerospace Forces]]
| more_users = [[Soviet Air Forces]] (former) <br />[[Ukrainian Air Force]] (former)
| developed_from = 
| variants = 
}}

The '''Tupolev Tu-160''' ({{langx|ru|Туполев Ту-160 «Белый лебедь»|translit=Bely Lebed|translation=[[Swan|White Swan]]}};<ref>{{cite web |title= The upgraded Tu-160 performed its first flight |work= Russian Aviation |date= 27 November 2014 |url= http://www.ruaviation.com/news/2014/11/27/2767/ |access-date= 20 November 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150926085924/http://www.ruaviation.com/news/2014/11/27/2767/ |archive-date= 26 September 2015 |url-status= live}}</ref> [[NATO reporting name]]: '''Blackjack''') is a [[supersonic]], [[variable-sweep wing]] nuclear-capable [[Heavy bomber|heavy]] [[strategic bomber]] and airborne missile platform designed by the [[Tupolev]] Design Bureau in the [[Soviet Union]] in the 1970s. The aircraft is large, longer than a [[Boeing B-52 Stratofortress]] at 54&nbsp;m, with wingspan 56&nbsp;m when spread, 36&nbsp;m when swept back. The Tu-160 is operated by the [[Russian Long Range Aviation|Long Range Aviation]] branch of the [[Russian Aerospace Forces]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Largest military aircraft by weight, operational bomber |work=Guinness World Records |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-military-aircraft-by-weight-operational-bomber |access-date=29 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006225602/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-military-aircraft-by-weight-operational-bomber |archive-date=6 October 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The Tu-160 entered service in 1987, the last [[strategic bomber]] designed for the [[Soviet Air Forces]]. It was built to serve as both a conventional and nuclear bomber. Production was stopped in 1992 following the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]] in 1991, and the newly independent [[Russian Air Force|Russian]] and [[Ukrainian Air Force|Ukrainian]] air forces inherited a fleet of 13 and 19 Tu-160s, respectively. Following protracted negotiations, the [[Russian Federation]] purchased eight Ukrainian Tu-160s, while the remaining 11 were scrapped in the late 1990s under the [[Nunn–Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction]] agreement. Following these actions, the sole operator of the aircraft type became the [[Russian Aerospace Forces]]' [[Russian Long Range Aviation|Long Range Aviation]] branch, which still had 17 Tu-160s in service as of 2022.<ref name="Tu-160modernization">{{cite news |date=28 April 2017 |title=Все бомбардировщики Ту-160 модернизируют |url=https://rg.ru/2017/04/28/reg-pfo/vse-bombardirovshchiki-tu-160-moderniziruiut.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170618122541/https://rg.ru/2017/04/28/reg-pfo/vse-bombardirovshchiki-tu-160-moderniziruiut.html |archive-date=18 June 2017 |access-date=1 May 2017 |work=[[Rossiyskaya Gazeta]]}}</ref> The type had its combat debut in November 2015 during the [[Russian military intervention in the Syrian Civil War]], conducting numerous airstrikes using [[Kh-101]] air-launched cruise missiles. Various overseas deployments have been conducted, including to distant nations such as [[Venezuela]] and [[South Africa]].

Since the early 2000s, the active fleet has undergone several upgrades, largely focusing on various electronic systems. A program of modernising existing aircraft to a new Tu-160M standard and building new aircraft was embarked upon, with the first updated aircraft delivered in December 2014. Plans were announced in 2015 for the delivery of 50 new-built Tu-160Ms and the upgrading of 16 existing aircraft.<ref name=jdef20220121/>

The new bombers are reported to have more sophisticated armament, engines, and avionics than the original Tu-160. In January 2022, the first newly-built Tu-160M performed a test flight,<ref>{{cite web| url= https://ria.ru/20220112/tu-160m-1767515671.html |title= Первый вновь построенный ракетоносец Ту-160М совершил дебютный полет |work= РИА Новости |date= 12 January 2022 |access-date= 12 January 2022 |archive-date= 9 May 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220509212905/https://ria.ru/20220112/tu-160m-1767515671.html |url-status= live}}</ref> with two new aircraft planned for delivery in 2022<ref name= Zv22>{{cite web |url= https://tvzvezda.ru/news/2022141130-ndK9b.html|title= Два Ту-160М пополнят дальнюю авиацию РФ в 2022 году|date= 4 January 2022|access-date= 12 January 2022|archive-date= 20 January 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230120173649/https://tvzvezda.ru/news/2022141130-ndK9b.html|url-status= live}}</ref> of ten on order.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.militarynews.ru/story.asp?rid=1&nid=564164&lang=RU|title=Построенный "с нуля" стратегический бомбардировщик Ту-160М совершил первый полёт - "Ростех" -|date=12 January 2022 |access-date=12 January 2022|archive-date=20 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120173649/https://www.militarynews.ru/story.asp?rid=1&nid=564164&lang=RU|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=jdef20220121>{{cite web|url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/russia-flies-newbuild-tu-160m-bomber|title=Russia flies newbuild Tu-160M bomber|access-date=21 January 2022|archive-date=31 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831154430/https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/russia-flies-newbuild-tu-160m-bomber|url-status=live}}</ref>{{update after|2025|1|20}}<!-- were the two planned for 2022 manufacture ever actually completed following the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]]? Were any others built? Plans for further production of Tu-160M aircraft?-->

==Development==

===Origins===
The first competition for a [[supersonic]] strategic heavy bomber was launched in the [[Soviet Union]] in 1967. In 1972, the Soviet Union launched a new multi-mission bomber competition to create a new supersonic, [[swing-wing|variable-geometry]] ("swing-wing") heavy bomber with a maximum speed of Mach 2.3, in response to the [[United States Air Force|US Air Force]] [[Rockwell B-1 Lancer|B-1]] bomber project. The Tupolev design, named ''Aircraft 160M'', with a lengthened [[blended wing]] layout and incorporating some elements of the [[Tupolev Tu-144|Tu-144]], competed against the [[Myasishchev M-18]] and the [[Sukhoi T-4]] designs.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sergeyev|first=Pavel|url=http://pda.lenta.ru/articles/2008/04/30/tu/|script-title=ru:Белый лебедь|language=ru|trans-title=White Swan|work=[[Lenta.ru]]|date=30 April 2008|access-date=5 August 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717041514/http://pda.lenta.ru/articles/2008/04/30/tu/|archive-date=17 July 2011}}</ref> Work on the new Soviet bomber continued despite an end to the B-1A and, in the same year, the design was accepted by the government committee. The prototype was photographed by an airline passenger at a [[Zhukovsky Airfield]] in November 1981, about a month before the aircraft's first flight on 18 December 1981. Production was authorized in 1984, beginning at the [[Kazan Aircraft Production Association]] (KAPO).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Goebel |first1=Greg |title=The Sukhoi T-4 & Tupolev Tu-160 |url=http://www.airvectors.net/avtu160.html |website=AirVectors.net |publisher=v1.0.4 – 1 Mar 15 – greg goebel – public domain |access-date=3 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318050625/http://www.airvectors.net/avtu160.html |archive-date=18 March 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Modernization===
In 2002, the Russian Defence Ministry and KAPO agreed to modernise 15 Tu-160s.<ref name="lenta.ru"/> In July 2006, the first overhauled and partially modernized aircraft was accepted into Russian service after testing; it reportedly received the capability to use conventional weapons but was not upgraded with new avionics as previously planned.<ref name="russianforces.org">{{cite journal|url=http://russianforces.org/blog/2006/07/tu160_returns_from_overhaul.shtml|title=Tu-160 returns from overhaul|journal=Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces|date=5 July 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103091028/http://russianforces.org/blog/2006/07/tu160_returns_from_overhaul.shtml|archive-date=3 November 2013 |url-status=live |last1=Podvig|first1=Pavel}}</ref> The first modernized aircraft capable of carrying the new long-range [[Kh-55#Variants|Kh-555]] conventional cruise missile was delivered to the [[Russian Air Force]] in April 2008;<ref name="radar and avionics"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Tu-160 BLACKJACK (TUPOLEV) |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/russia/tu-160.htm |author=John Pike |website=GlobalSecurity.org |access-date=11 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090617074339/http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/russia/tu-160.htm |archive-date=17 June 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> a follow-up contract for the modernization of three more aircraft is estimated to cost RUR3.4&nbsp;billion (US$103&nbsp;million).<ref name=JDW20130728>{{cite news |url=http://www.janes.com/article/25136/russia-continues-tu-160-blackjack-bomber-modernisation-work |title=Russia continues Tu-160 'Blackjack' bomber modernisation work |first=Gareth |last=Jennings |work=IHS Jane's Defence Weekly |date=28 July 2013 |access-date=21 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131122180052/http://www.janes.com/article/25136/russia-continues-tu-160-blackjack-bomber-modernisation-work |archive-date=22 November 2013}}</ref>

[[File:Tupolev Tu-160 "Valeriy Chkalov".jpg|thumb|Tu-160 ''Valeriy Chkalov'' in 2015]]
The modernization appeared to be split into two phases, first concentrating on life extension with some initial communication–navigation updates, followed by engine upgrades after 2016.<ref name=Flight20121015>{{cite news |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/in-focus-russians-next-generation-bomber-takes-shape-377251/ |title=IN FOCUS: Russian's next-generation bomber takes shape |first=Vladimir |last=Karnozov |date=15 October 2012 |work=Flight International |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105212920/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/in-focus-russians-next-generation-bomber-takes-shape-377251/ |archive-date=5 November 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2014, a Tu-160 upgraded with new radar and avionics performed its first flight.<ref name="radar and avionics">{{cite web |last1=Jennings |first1=Gareth |title=Russia flies first radar- and avionics-upgraded Tu-160 bomber |url=http://www.janes.com/article/46087/russia-flies-first-radar-and-avionics-upgraded-tu-160-bomber |work=IHS Jane's Defence Weekly |date=20 November 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150310061046/http://www.janes.com/article/46087/russia-flies-first-radar-and-avionics-upgraded-tu-160-bomber |archive-date=10 March 2015}}</ref> The aircraft was delivered to the Russian Air Force as the Tu-160M model in December 2014.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Perry|first1=Dominic|title=Russian air force takes first modernised Tupolev bombers|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/russian-air-force-takes-first-modernised-tupolev-bombers-407325/|work=FlightGlobal |publisher=Reed Business Information, RELX Group |access-date=2 May 2015|date=19 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927193745/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/russian-air-force-takes-first-modernised-tupolev-bombers-407325/|archive-date=27 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The upgraded Tu-160 performed its first flight|url=http://www.ruaviation.com/news/2014/11/27/2767/|website=Russian Aviation|access-date=3 May 2015|date=27 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518103845/http://www.ruaviation.com/news/2014/11/27/2767/|archive-date=18 May 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The phase I update was due to be completed by 2016, but industrial limitations may delay it to 2019{{update after|2023|1|9}} or beyond.<ref name=JDW20131111 />

Although [[Kuznetsov Design Bureau|Kuznetsov]] designed an NK-32M engine with improved reliability over the NK-32 engines, its successor company has struggled to deliver working units. Metallist-Samara JSC had not produced new engines for a decade when it was given a contract in 2011 to overhaul 26 of the existing engines; two years later, only four had been finished.<ref name=JDW20131111 /> Ownership and financial concerns hinder the prospects of a new production line; the firm insists it needs a minimum of 20 engines ordered per year but the government is only prepared to pay for 4–6 engines per year.<ref name=JDW20131111 /><ref>{{cite news |script-title=ru:Бомбардировщики Ту-160 могут остаться без двигателей |url=http://izvestia.ru/news/500938 |language=ru |trans-title=Tu-160 bombers may be left without engines |date=16 September 2011 |first=Ilya |last=Kramnik |newspaper=Izvestia |access-date=20 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926195639/http://izvestia.ru/news/500938 |archive-date=26 September 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> A further improved engine was bench tested in 2012 and projected to potentially enter production as early as 2016.<ref name=Flight20121015 />{{update needed|reason=this is 2023, not 2015|date=December 2023}}

On 2 February 2020, the modernized Tu-160M performed its first test flight at the airfield of the Kazan Aviation Plant named for I.{{nbsp}}Gorbunov.<ref>{{cite web |title=Модернизированный Ту-160М выполнил первый полет |url=https://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/7666089 |publisher=TASS.ru |access-date=13 November 2020 |archive-date=21 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121212438/https://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/7666089 |url-status=live }}</ref> Deliveries started later that year, five aircraft were equipped with the new engines by August 2022.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2022/0817/104569032/detail.shtml |title=ЦАМТО / / ОДК поставила двигатели для пятого борта Ту-160М |publisher=Armstrade.org |date= |accessdate=2022-08-21 |archive-date=21 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121083552/https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2022/0817/104569032/detail.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> According to [[Vladimir Putin]], 4 Tu-160M were delivered in 2023.<ref>{{cite web | title=ЦАМТО / / Владимир Путин выступил на расширенном заседании коллегии Министерства обороны | website=armstrade.org | date=2023-12-19 | url=https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2023/1219/151077086/detail.shtml | language=ru | ref={{sfnref | armstrade.org | 2023}} | access-date=2024-01-04 | archive-date=4 January 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104203738/https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2023/1219/151077086/detail.shtml | url-status=live }}</ref>

The CEO of [[Rostec]] has said that most of the bomber's systems and equipment will be more sophisticated than the initial Tu-160, particularly the armament, engines, and avionics.<ref>{{cite web | last=Carlin | first=Maya | title=NATO Isn't Ready for Russia's Modernized Tu-160 Bomber | publisher=[[The National Interest]]| date=7 June 2025 | url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/nato-isnt-ready-for-russias-modernized-tu-160-bomber}}</ref>

===Resumed production===
[[File:2013 Moscow Victory Day Parade (57).jpg|thumb|left|Tupolev Tu-160 at the [[2013 Moscow Victory Day Parade]]]]

In 2008, Russia revealed plans for one new Tu-160 to be delivered every one to two years with the aim of increasing the active inventory to 30 or more aircraft by 2025–2030.<ref>[http://www.tatar-inform.ru/news/2008/01/06/90895/ "На КАПО им.Горбунова испытали новый серийный Ту-160" {{in lang|ru}}.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080124105809/http://www.tatar-inform.ru/news/2008/01/06/90895/ |date=24 January 2008}} ''Tatar-Inform Information Agency, [[Kazan]]'', 6 January 2008.</ref> On 29 April 2015, Russian Defense Minister [[Sergei Shoigu]], on order of President Putin,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/13407273|title=Построенный с нуля стратегический ракетоносец Ту-160М совершил первый полет|access-date=12 January 2022|archive-date=21 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121090823/https://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/13407273|url-status=live}}</ref> announced that Tu-160 production would resume.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/russia-to-reestablish-tu-160-supersonic-bomber-production-411778/|title=Russia to reestablish Tu-160 supersonic bomber production line|first=Beth|last=Stevenson|work=FlightGlobal|date=30 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151217015929/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/russia-to-reestablish-tu-160-supersonic-bomber-production-411778/|archive-date=17 December 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2015, [[TASS]] reported that the Russian Air Force would purchase at least 50 KAPO-built Tu-160s.<ref name=Revival>{{cite news|url=http://tass.ru/en/russia/797164|title=Putin made decision to revive production of Tu-160M strategic bomber – Air Force commander|agency=TASS|date=28 May 2015|access-date=20 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623210821/http://tass.ru/en/russia/797164|archive-date=23 June 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> General Viktor Bondarev stated that development of the [[Tupolev PAK DA|PAK DA]] would proceed alongside Tu-160 production.<ref name=Revival/>

On 16 November 2017, a newly assembled Tu-160, built from an unfinished airframe, was unveiled during a roll-out ceremony at KAPO, signifying a restoration of some production techniques (such as [[electron-beam welding]] and [[Titanium#Aerospace and marine|titanium work]]) that had fallen into disuse after the termination of serial production in 1992. The new aircraft was named ''Petr Deinekin'' after the [[Pyotr Deynekin|first commanding officer of the Russian Air Force]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3063777.html |title=Новый Ту-160 начал летные испытания |website=bmpd |date=25 January 2018 |access-date=27 January 2018 |archive-date=21 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121102342/https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3063777.html |url-status=live }}</ref> According to [[Dmitri Rogozin]], the serial production of wholly new airframes for the modernized Tu-160M2 should begin in 2019 with deliveries to the Russian Aerospace Forces in 2023.<ref name= Zv17>{{cite web |last1=Рычагов |first1=Михаил |url=https://tvzvezda.ru/news/opk/content/201711161742-lexw.htm |title=Путин поздравил авиастроителей с новым стратегическим бомбардировщиком Ту-160М2 |work=Телеканал «Звезда» |publisher=[[Zvezda (TV channel)|Zvezda]] |date=16 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207062904/https://tvzvezda.ru/news/opk/content/201711161742-lexw.htm |archive-date=7 February 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://regnum.ru/news/2346127.html |title=Рогозин доложил Путину о постройке новых ракетоносцев Ту-160М2 |website=regnum.ru |date=16 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207122227/https://regnum.ru/news/2346127.html |archive-date=7 February 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:The first flight of the newly manufactured Tu-160M.png|thumb|Maiden flight of the first newly manufactured Tu-160M2 ''Petr Deinekin'']]
The ''Petr Deinekin'' Tu-160 performed its first public flight on 25 January 2018, during President [[Vladimir Putin]]'s visit to the KAPO plant,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Яблочкин |first1=Кирилл |url=https://tvzvezda.ru/news/opk/content/201801251742-7kpb.htm |title=Кадры демонстрационного полета Ту-160М "Петр Дейнекин" |work=Телеканал «Звезда» |publisher=[[Zvezda (TV channel)|Zvezda]] |date=25 January 2018 |access-date=27 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127084424/https://tvzvezda.ru/news/opk/content/201801251742-7kpb.htm |archive-date=27 January 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> and a contract for ten upgraded Tu-160M2s was signed.<ref name=Tu-160M2contract>{{cite news |url=https://www.vedomosti.ru/technology/articles/2018/01/25/748964-tu-160m2 |title=Дальняя авиация получит 10 Ту-160М2 за 160 млрд рублей |newspaper=[[Vedomosti]] |date=25 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202081801/https://www.vedomosti.ru/technology/articles/2018/01/25/748964-tu-160m2 |archive-date=2 February 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://kremlin.ru/events/president/news/56705 |title=Посещение Казанского авиационного завода имени С.П.Горбунова |website=kremlin.ru |date=28 January 2018 |access-date=17 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219014102/http://kremlin.ru/events/president/news/56705 |archive-date=19 February 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url=http://russianforces.org/blog/2018/01/first_tu-160m2_takes_flight_pr.shtml |title=First Tu-160M2 takes flight, production contract for ten aircraft signed |journal=Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces |date=26 January 2018 |access-date=17 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202030110/http://russianforces.org/blog/2018/01/first_tu-160m2_takes_flight_pr.shtml |archive-date=2 February 2018 |url-status=live |last1=Podvig |first1=Pavel}}</ref> On 12 January 2022 a new-build<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rostec.ru/news/vnov-izgotovlennyy-tu-160m-sovershil-pervyy-polet/|title=Вновь изготовленный Ту-160М совершил первый полет|access-date=12 January 2022|archive-date=21 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121090821/https://rostec.ru/news/vnov-izgotovlennyy-tu-160m-sovershil-pervyy-polet/|url-status=live}}</ref> Tu-160M had its first low altitude basic test flight.<ref name=tu2022-01/> It is planned to deliver two new-build Tu-160M in 2022<ref name= Zv22/> with production increasing until all 50 new aircraft on order are delivered.{{cn|date=February 2022}} In December 2022, [[United Aircraft Corporation]] announced that the second new-build Tu-160M and the fourth modernized Tu-160M were starting flight tests.<ref name=":0" /> It was also reported that the first new Tu-160 had completed factory testing.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ПАО «ОАК» |url=https://t.me/uac_ru/945 |access-date=2022-12-31 |website=Telegram |archive-date=31 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221231113304/https://t.me/uac_ru/945 |url-status=live }}</ref> Four aircraft were delivered on 21 February 2024.<ref>{{cite web | last=Nikolov | first=Boyko | title=Putin joins Kazan to unveil four deeply upgraded Tu-160M bombers | website=Bulgarian Military Industry Review | date=2024-02-21 | url=https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2024/02/21/putin-joins-kazan-to-unveil-four-deeply-upgraded-tu-160m-bombers/ | access-date=2024-03-08 | archive-date=24 February 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224051017/https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2024/02/21/putin-joins-kazan-to-unveil-four-deeply-upgraded-tu-160m-bombers | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Share of modern weapons in the Russian nuclear forces has reached 95% | website=TASS | date=2024-02-22 | url=https://tass.com/politics/1750679 | ref={{sfnref | TASS | 2024}} | access-date=2024-03-08 | archive-date=8 March 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308163327/https://tass.com/politics/1750679 | url-status=live }}</ref>

===Other proposed variants===
A demilitarized, commercial version of the Tu-160, named ''Tu-160SK'', was displayed at [[Asian Aerospace]] in Singapore in 1994 with a model of a small space vehicle named Burlak<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aerospaceguide.net/burlak.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328213410/http://www.aerospaceguide.net/burlak.html|url-status=dead|title=Burlak|archive-date=28 March 2010}}</ref> attached underneath the fuselage.

In January 2018, Vladimir Putin, while visiting the KAPO plant, floated an idea of creating a civilian passenger [[supersonic transport]] version of Tu-160.<ref>[https://tvzvezda.ru/news/opk/content/201801251458-tfs8.htm Путин предложил сделать на базе Ту-160 гражданский авиалайнер] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207122142/https://tvzvezda.ru/news/opk/content/201801251458-tfs8.htm |date=7 February 2018}} Zvezda TV, 25 January 2018.</ref> Experts quoted by the news media were skeptical about the commercial and technological feasibility of such a civilian conversion.<ref name="Tu-160M2contract" /><ref>[http://www.bbc.com/russian/features-42820724 Гражданский авиалайнер на базе ракетоносца Ту-160. Реально ли?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214003435/http://www.bbc.com/russian/features-42820724 |date=14 February 2018}} BBC, 25 January 2018.</ref>

==Design==
[[File:Tupolev Tu-160 cockpit Beltyukov-1.jpg|thumb|left|Cockpit view of a Tu-160]]

The Tu-160 is a variable-geometry wing aircraft. The aircraft employs a [[fly-by-wire]] control system with a [[blended wing]] profile, and full-span [[Leading edge slats|slats]] are used on the leading edges, with double-slotted [[Flap (aircraft)|flap]]s on the trailing edges and [[cruciform tail]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bergmans |first1=Werner |title=Tupolev Tu-160 Blackjack |url=http://www.fighter-planes.com/info/tu160.htm |website=Fighter-Planes.com |date= 1996–2011 |publisher= Werner Bergmans, Eindhoven, the Netherlands |access-date=2 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402110031/http://www.fighter-planes.com/info/tu160.htm |archive-date=2 April 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> Titanium constitutes around 30% of the aircraft's {{convert|110|t|lb|adj=on|abbr=on|sigfig=6}} empty weight, and the largest component (the swing wing hinge) weighs {{convert|6|t|lb|spell=in|sigfig=4}}.<ref name=tu2022-01/> The Tu-160 has a crew of four (pilot, co-pilot, [[bombardier (aircrew)|bombardier]], and defensive systems operator) in [[NPP Zvezda K-36|K-36LM]] [[ejection seat]]s.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Duffy |first1=Paul |last2=Kandalov |first2=Andrei I. |title=Tupolev: The Man and His Aircraft |date=1996 |publisher=SAE International, 1996 |location=Warrendale, PA |isbn=1-56091-899-3 |page=170 |edition=illustrated |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fOC7Ii5SgZUC&pg=PA170|access-date=2 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://odin.tradoc.army.mil/WEG/Asset/Tu-160_(Blackjack)_Russian_Strategic_Bomber |title= ODIN - OE Data Integration Network}}</ref>

The Tu-160 is powered by four [[Kuznetsov NK-32]] [[afterburner|afterburning]] [[turbofan]] engines, the most powerful ever fitted to a combat aircraft. Unlike the American [[Rockwell B-1 Lancer|B-1B Lancer]], which reduced the original Mach 2+ requirement for the B-1A to achieve a smaller [[radar cross-section]], the Tu-160 retains variable [[intake ramp]]s, and is capable of reaching Mach 2.05 speed at altitude.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://en.ria.ru/infographics/20100615/159430934.html |title=Russian Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bomber |agency=RIA Novosti |year=2013 |access-date=21 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102073017/http://en.ria.ru/infographics/20100615/159430934.html |archive-date=2 November 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Tu-160 is equipped with a [[Probe and drogue|probe-and-drogue]] [[in-flight refueling]] system for extended-range missions, although it is rarely used. The Tu-160 has an internal fuel capacity of {{convert|130|t|lb|sigfig=4}}.<ref>[http://www.aerospaceweb.org/aircraft/bomber/tu160/ "Aircraft Museum – Tu-160 'Blackjack'."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014164844/http://www.aerospaceweb.org/aircraft/bomber/tu160/ |date=14 October 2007}} Aerospaceweb.org, 16 August 2008. Retrieved 19 July 2009.</ref> In February 2008, Tu-160 bombers and [[Ilyushin Il-78|Il-78]] refueling tankers practiced air refueling during air combat exercise, as well as [[Mikoyan MiG-31|MiG-31]], [[Beriev A-50|A-50]] and other Russian combat aircraft.<ref>[http://www.airforceworld.com/bomber/eng/tu160-blackjack-bomber-russia-1.htm "Tu-160 bombers practice air refueling in Feb 2008 exercises"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002231655/http://www.airforceworld.com/bomber/eng/tu160-blackjack-bomber-russia-1.htm |date=2 October 2011}} AirForceWorld.com. Retrieved 3 September 2011.</ref>

[[File:Tupolev Tu-160, Ukraine - Air Force AN1402163.jpg|thumb|[[Blended wing]] profile]]
The aircraft carries a TsNPO Leninets ''Obzor-K'' (Survey, NATO: Clam Pipe)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://aerospace.boopidoo.com/philez/Su-15TM%20PICTURES%20&%20DOCS/Overscan's%20guide%20to%20Russian%20Military%20Avionics.htm |title=Overscan's guide to Russian Military Avionics|url-status=dead |archive-url= https://archive.today/20120707010504/http://aerospace.boopidoo.com/philez/Su-15TM%20PICTURES%20&%20DOCS/Overscan's%20guide%20to%20Russian%20Military%20Avionics.htm |archive-date=7 July 2012}}</ref> [[radar]] for tracking ground and air targets, and a separate ''Sopka'' [[Terrain-following radar]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.milavia.net/aircraft/tu-160/tu-160.htm |title=Tupolev Tu-160 'Blackjack' |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=MILAVIA |access-date=22 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150228140245/http://www.milavia.net/aircraft/tu-160/tu-160.htm |archive-date=28 February 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> Although the Tu-160 was designed for reduced detectability to both [[radar cross-section|radar]] and [[infrared signature]],<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lake |first1=Jon |title=The Great Book of Bombers: The World's Most Important Bombers from World War I to the Present Day |date=2002 |publisher=MBI Publishing Company |location=St, Paul. MN |isbn=978-0-7603-1347-3 |page=481 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OGTGKbnQgFEC&pg=PA481 }}{{Dead link|date=March 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> it is not a [[stealth aircraft]].
[[File:Air-to-air with a Tupolev Tu-160.jpg|thumb|A 2012 air-to-air image.]]
Weapons are carried in two internal bays, each capable of holding {{convert|22500|kg|lb|abbr=on}} of free-fall weapons or a [[bomb bay#Rotary launcher|rotary launcher]] for missiles capable of carrying conventional or nuclear warheads. The aircraft's total weapons load capacity is 45,000 kg (99,208 lb).<ref>{{cite web |title=Tu-160 (Blackjack) Russian Strategic Bomber |url=https://odin.tradoc.army.mil/WEG/Asset/Tu-160_(Blackjack)_Russian_Strategic_Bomber |access-date=7 August 2024 |website=ODIN - OE Data Integration Network}}</ref> No defensive weapons are provided; the Tu-160 is the first post-[[World War II]] Soviet bomber to lack such defenses.<!--defense by fighter--> In 2020, officials stated that the Russian Aerospace Forces is planning to arm the Tu-160 with new hypersonic missiles, in particular the nuclear-capable [[Kh-47M2 Kinzhal]] hypersonic air-launched ballistic missile.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/hypersonic-missiles-are-making-russias-tu-160-bombers-deadlier-ever-151026 |title=Hypersonic Missiles Are Making Russia's Tu-160 Bombers Deadlier Than Ever |website=nationalinterest.org |date=6 May 2020 |access-date=26 May 2021 |archive-date=21 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121113247/https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/hypersonic-missiles-are-making-russias-tu-160-bombers-deadlier-ever-151026 |url-status=live}}</ref>

While similar in appearance to the American B-1 Lancer, the Tu-160 is a different class of combat aircraft; its primary role being a [[standoff missile]] platform (strategic missile carrier).<ref name=tu2022-01>{{cite web |last1=Dalløkken |first1=Per Erlien |title="Hvite svaner": Russland har testfløyet det første nybygde Tu-160M |url=https://www.tu.no/artikler/hvite-svaner-russland-har-testfloyet-det-forste-nybygde-tu-160m/516482 |website=Tu.no |publisher=[[Teknisk Ukeblad]] |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220114020826/https://www.tu.no/artikler/hvite-svaner-russland-har-testfloyet-det-forste-nybygde-tu-160m/516482 |archive-date=14 January 2022 |language=no |date=13 January 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Tu-160 is also larger and faster than the B-1B and has a slightly greater combat range, though the B-1B has a larger combined payload with external payload.<ref>''The Directory of the World's Weapons'' 1996, p. 140.</ref> Another noticeable difference is that the B-1's colour scheme is usually subdued dark gray to reduce visibility; the Tu-160 is painted with [[anti-flash white]], giving it the nickname among Russian airmen "White Swan".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.moscowtopnews.com/?area=postView&id=903 |title='White swan' – Russian supersonic aircraft|work=Moscow Top News|year=2009|access-date=19 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090602035032/http://www.moscowtopnews.com/?area=postView&id=903 |archive-date=2 June 2009}}</ref><ref name=tu2022-01/> On 16 September 2023, Commander of the long-range aviation Lieutenant General Sergei Kobylash announced that Russian Tu-160s were outfitted with the newest [[Kh-BD]] cruise missile with range of 6,500 km. Each bomber can carry 12 missiles separated on two rotary launchers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tass.com/defense/1675823|title=Tu-160 bombers outfitted with novel cruise missiles — top brass|website=[[TASS]]|date=16 September 2023|access-date=18 September 2023|archive-date=17 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230917183313/https://tass.com/defense/1675823|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Operational history==
[[File:DD-ST-89-11765.JPEG|thumb|A Tu-160 with Soviet officers in front, September 1989]]
In April 1987, the Tu-160 entered operational service with the 184th Guards Heavy Bomber Regiment located at [[Pryluky Air Base|Pryluky]], [[Ukrainian SSR]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Miller |first1=David |title= The Cold War: A Military History |date= 1998 |publisher=John Murray, Random House |location=London |isbn=1-4481-3793-4 |page=162 |edition=Pimlico 2001 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=6L_moj5Fo74C&pg=PT162}}</ref> The regiment, previously operating [[Tupolev Tu-16|Tu-16]] and [[Tupolev Tu-22M|Tu-22M3]] strategic bombers, was the first unit to receive the Tu-160. Squadron deployments to [[Soviet Long Range Aviation|Long Range Aviation]] began that same month. The Tu-160's first public appearance in a parade came in 1989. During 1989 and 1990, a total of 44 world speed flight records in its weight class were set. In January 1992, [[Boris Yeltsin]] decided to end serial production of the Tu-160; 35 aircraft were completed by this time. Russia also unilaterally suspended flights of strategic aviation over remote regions.<ref name="lenta.ru">{{cite web|url=https://lenta.ru/articles/2008/07/25/strategic/|title=Померяемся дальней авиацией?|website=lenta.ru|date=25 July 2008|access-date=8 December 2019|archive-date=21 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121163407/https://lenta.ru/articles/2008/07/25/strategic/|url-status=live}}</ref>

A total of 19 Tu-160s were based inside the newly independent [[Ukraine]] during the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]]. On 25 August 1991, the Ukrainian parliament decreed that the new nation would take control of all military units on its territory; a Defence Ministry was created that same day. By the mid-1990s, the Pryluky regiment had lost its value as a combat unit; 19 Tu-160s were effectively grounded due to a lack of technical support and spare parts. Ukraine considered the Tu-160s to be a bargaining chip in economic negotiations with Russia and of limited military value. While Russian experts, who examined the aircraft at the Pryluky Air Base in 1993 and 1996, assessed their technical condition as good, the US$3&nbsp;billion price proposed by Ukraine was considered by Russia to be unacceptable. In April 1998, amid stalled negotiations, Ukraine decided to commence scrapping the fleet under the [[Nunn–Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction]] agreement. In November, the first Tu-160 was deconstructed at Pryluky.<ref name="Russia's_Strategic_Bomber_Force">{{cite journal |last=Butowski |first=Piotr |title=Russia's Strategic Bomber Force |journal=Combat Aircraft |volume=4 |issue=6 |pages=552–565}}</ref>

In April 1999, Russia resumed talks with Ukraine, proposing to purchase eight Tu-160 and three [[Tupolev Tu-96|Tu-95MS]] bombers manufactured in 1991 (those in the best technical condition), as well as 575 [[Kh-55#Variants|Kh-55SM]] cruise missiles. An agreement was reached and a US$285&nbsp;million contract was signed, the value of which was deducted from Ukraine's debt for [[natural gas]]. On 20 October 1999, a group of Russian military experts went to Ukraine to prepare the aircraft for the flight to [[Engels-2 air base]]. On 5 November, the first two aircraft, a Tu-160 and a Tu-95MS, departed Pryluky. During the following months, the rest were flown to Engels-2.<ref name="Russia's_Strategic_Bomber_Force" />

[[File:Vladimir Putin Cockpit TU-160 Bomber.jpg|thumb|left|Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] inside the cockpit of a Tu-160 in August 2005]]
Alongside buying Ukrainian Tu-160s, Russia pursued other means of expanding its fleet. In June 1999, the [[Ministry of Defence (Russia)|Russian Defence Ministry]] and KAPO signed a contract for the delivery of a single near-complete bomber. Named ''Aleksandr Molodchiy'', it was the second aircraft in the eighth production batch. It arrived at Engels-2 on 10 September and was commissioned into service on 5 May 2000.<ref name="Russia's_Strategic_Bomber_Force" /> The unit operating the fleet from Engels-2 was the 121st Guards Heavy Bomber Regiment, which was formed up in early 1992 and received six aircraft by 1994. By the end of February 2001, the fleet stood at 15 with the addition of the eight Ukrainian Tu-160s and the new-build.<ref name="Russia's_Strategic_Bomber_Force" /><ref name="take-off.ru">{{cite web|url=http://www.take-off.ru/asp/tu160_v13|title=Ту-160 принят на вооружение|website=take-off.ru|date=December 2005|access-date=8 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080315132753/http://www.take-off.ru/asp/tu160_v13|archive-date=15 March 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> The fleet was reduced to 14 due to the crash of the ''Mikhail Gromov'' during flight trials of a replacement engine on 18 September 2003.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_820476.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030920062314/http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_820476.html |archive-date= 20 September 2003 |date=18 September 2003 |title=Russian supersonic bomber crashes |agency=Associated Press |website=Ananova}}</ref><ref name="take-off.ru"/> On 5 July 2006, a Tu-160 named ''Valentin Bliznyuk'', named after the [[Valentin Bliznyuk|Tu-160's chief designer]], entered service with the Russian Air Force after completing its overhaul, bringing the total number back to 15.<ref name="russianforces.org"/> Built in 1986, it was formerly used as a test aircraft by Tupolev.<ref name="lenta.ru"/>

On 22 April 2006, the commander of the Long-Range Aviation Lieutenant General Igor Khvorov reported a pair of Tu-160s flew undetected through a US-controlled sector during a military exercise in the Arctic.<ref name="lenta.ru"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/russians-claim-bomber-flights-over-us-territory-went-206145/|title=Russians claim bomber flights over US territory went undetected|website=[[FlightGlobal]]|date=24 April 2006|access-date=9 December 2019|archive-date=21 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121185648/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/russians-claim-bomber-flights-over-us-territory-went-206145/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 17 August 2007, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the resumption of strategic aviation flights, which had been suspended in 1991.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2007-08-17-russia-bombers_N.htm|title=Russia orders long-range bomber patrols|work=[[USA Today]]|date=17 August 2007|access-date=12 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106231633/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/world/2007-08-17-russia-bombers_N.htm|archive-date=6 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/18/world/europe/17cnd-russia.html|title=Russia Resumes Patrols by Nuclear Bombers|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=17 August 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829115053/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/18/world/europe/17cnd-russia.html?hp|archive-date=29 August 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> On 14 September 2007, British and Norwegian fighters intercepted two Tu-160s in international airspace near the United Kingdom and Finland, as they were patrolling the North Atlantic.<ref>Satter, Raphael G. [https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2007-09-14-1452283135_x.htm "NATO jets intercept Russian warplanes."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205121939/http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2007-09-14-1452283135_x.htm |date=5 December 2008}} ''[[USA Today]]'', 14 September 2007. Retrieved 19 July 2009.</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Bugajski |first1=Janusz |title=Expanding Eurasia: Russia's European Ambitions|date=2008 |publisher=CSIS Press |location=Washington, D.C. |isbn=978-0-89206-545-5 |page=143 |edition=illustrated |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IyVU2-Q5ONkC&pg=PA143}}</ref><ref name="lenta.ru"/> On 25 December 2007, two Danish Air Force [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16s]] were scrambled to intercept two Tu-160s near Danish airspace.{{cn|date=April 2023}}

On 11 September 2007, according to Russian government sources, a Tu-160 deployed a massive fuel-air explosive device, called [[Father of All Bombs]], for its first [[live fire exercise|field test]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6990815.stm "Russia tests giant fuel-air bomb."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329175244/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6990815.stm |date=29 March 2017}} BBC News, 12 September 2007. Retrieved 3 August 2009.</ref> Some US military analysts expressed skepticism that the weapon had been delivered by a Tu-160.<ref>Axe, David and Daria Solovieva. [https://www.wired.com/2007/10/russian-father "Did Russia Stage the Father of All Bombs Hoax?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170415200817/https://www.wired.com/2007/10/russian-father/ |date=15 April 2017}} ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'', 4 October 2007. Retrieved 15 November 2014.</ref>

On 29 April 2008, a new Tu-160 named ''Vitaly Kopylov'' joined the Russian Air Force, increasing the total number of aircraft in service to 16.<ref name="lenta.ru"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oreanda.ru/other/Modernizirovannyy_Tu-160_peredali_v_sostav_VVS_Rossii/article297765/|title=Модернизированный Ту-160 передали в состав ВВС России|website=oreanda.ru|date=29 April 2008|access-date=8 December 2019|archive-date=21 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121185641/https://www.oreanda.ru/other/Modernizirovannyy_Tu-160_peredali_v_sostav_VVS_Rossii/article297765/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ntv.ru/video/131258/|title=ВВС России получили новый самолет|website=ntv.ru|date=29 April 2008|access-date=9 December 2019|archive-date=21 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121185655/https://www.ntv.ru/video/131258/|url-status=live}}</ref> In early 2008, Tu-160s took part in an exercise with the [[Russian Navy]] in the Atlantic Ocean.<ref name="lenta.ru"/>

[[File:QRA Scramble to Intercept Russian Blackjack Aircraft MOD 45151233.jpg|thumb|right|A Tu-160 is intercepted by an [[Royal Air Force|RAF]] [[Panavia Tornado ADV|Tornado F3]] in March 2010]]
On 10 September 2008, two Tu-160s made an unprecedented deployment to Russia's ally [[Venezuela]] as part of military manoeuvres amid increasingly tense relations between Russia and the United States. The Russian Defence Ministry said ''Vasily Senko'' and ''Aleksandr Molodchiy'' would conduct training flights over neutral waters before returning to Russia. They were escorted by NATO fighters as they crossed the Atlantic Ocean.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7609577.stm "Russian bombers land in Venezuela."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327030514/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7609577.stm |date=27 March 2010}} BBC News, 11 September 2008.</ref>

On 12 October 2008, Tu-160s were involved in the largest Russian strategic bomber exercise since 1984. A total of 12 bombers, including Tu-160 and Tu-95 aircraft conducted a series of launches of their cruise missiles. Some bombers launched a full complement of missiles; it was the first time that a Tu-160 had ever fired a full complement of missiles.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/3148912/Russia-plans-biggest-missile-test-for-24-years.html "Russia plans biggest missile test for 24 years."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215924/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/3148912/Russia-plans-biggest-missile-test-for-24-years.html |date=3 March 2016}} ''The Daily Telegraph'', 7 October 2008.</ref>

On 10 June 2010, two Tu-160s carried out a record-breaking 23-hour patrol with a planned flight range of {{convert|18000|km|nmi|abbr=on}}, having flown along Russia's borders and over neutral waters in the Arctic and Pacific Oceans.{{cn|date=February 2023}}

In August 2011, Russian media claimed that only four of the sixteen Tu-160s were flightworthy.<ref name=JDW20131111>{{cite news |url=http://www.janes.com/article/29846/further-delays-for-modernisation-of-russian-air-force-tu-160-bombers |title=Further delays for modernisation of Russian Air Force Tu-160 bombers |first=Reuben F |last=Johnson |work=IHS Jane's Defence Weekly |date=11 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131116193244/http://www.janes.com/article/29846/further-delays-for-modernisation-of-russian-air-force-tu-160-bombers |archive-date=16 November 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Flight International'' reported eleven were combat-ready by mid-2012;<ref name=Flight20121015 /> between 2011 and 2013, eleven were observed in flight.<ref>{{cite web |last=Axe |first=David |title=We Just Hunted Down All of Russia's Long-Range Bombers |url=https://medium.com/war-is-boring/f9bc593f6846 |date=13 November 2013 |work=War is Boring |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113153302/https://medium.com/war-is-boring/f9bc593f6846 |archive-date=13 November 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On 1 November 2013, ''Aleksandr Golovanov'' and ''Aleksandr Novikov'' entered Colombian airspace on two separate occasions while flying from Venezuela to Nicaragua. Noting a lack of clearance, the Colombian government issued a letter of protest to the Russian government after the first violation.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.elespectador.com/noticias/politica/colombia-enviara-nota-de-protesta-rusia-violacion-del-e-articulo-456719 |title=Colombia enviará nota de protesta a Rusia por violación del espacio aéreo|language=es|trans-title=Colombia will send a note of protest to Russia for violation of airspace|work=El Espectador|date=5 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924143833/http://www.elespectador.com/noticias/politica/colombia-enviara-nota-de-protesta-rusia-violacion-del-e-articulo-456719 |archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In the second violation, two [[Colombian Air Force]] [[IAI Kfir]]s stationed at [[Barranquilla]] intercepted and escorted the two Tu-160s out of Colombian airspace.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-colombia-russia-airspace-idUSBRE9A504020131106 |title=Colombia says Russian bombers violated its airspace|work=Reuters|date=5 November 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151121050852/http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/06/us-colombia-russia-airspace-idUSBRE9A504020131106 |archive-date=21 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/colombia-protests-violation-of-airspace-by-russian-bombers/489062.html |title=Colombia Protests Violation of Airspace by Russian Bombers|work=The Moscow Times|date=7 November 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151121062959/http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/colombia-protests-violation-of-airspace-by-russian-bombers/489062.html |archive-date=21 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:SU-30SM escortant un Tu-160 qui lance un missile de croisière.png|thumb|A Tu-160 launching a [[Kh-101]] cruise missile at targets in Syria, November 2015.<ref name="terrorist_targets">{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/12009123/Russian-bombers-fly-around-Europe-to-strike-Syria-in-8000-mile-show-of-strength.html |title=Russian bombers fly around Europe to strike Syria in 8,000 mile show of strength |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=20 November 2015 |access-date=18 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421164843/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/12009123/Russian-bombers-fly-around-Europe-to-strike-Syria-in-8000-mile-show-of-strength.html|archive-date=21 April 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>]]
On 17 November 2015, as part of the [[Russian military intervention in the Syrian Civil War]], several Tu-160 and Tu-95MS strategic bombers of the Russian Aerospace Forces fired [[Kh-101]] air-launched cruise missiles from above the Mediterranean Sea, striking targets in [[Idlib Governorate|Idlib]] and [[Aleppo Governorate|Aleppo]] provinces. In total, between 34 and 83<ref name="ffi2016">{{cite book |title=Russlands militære intervensjon i Syria – bakgrunn, gjennomføring og konsekvenser |date=15 March 2016 |publisher=[[Norwegian Defence Research Establishment]] |isbn=978-82-464-2723-2 |edition=FFI-RAPPORT 16/00500 |url=https://www.ffi.no/no/Rapporter/16-00500.pdf |language=no |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-date=21 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121204304/https://www.ffi.no/no/Rapporter/16-00500.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> cruise missiles were fired, destroying 14 targets. In addition, [[Tupolev Tu-22M|Tu-22M3]] strategic bombers hit numerous claimed [[Islamic State]] targets with unguided munitions. This operation also marked the combat debut for the Tu-160 and Tu-95MS.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://theaviationist.com/2015/11/17/russian-tu-22s-joined-the-syria-air-war/ |title=25 Russian long-range strategic bombers in action over Syria for the very first time|first=David|last=Cenciotti |work=The Aviationist|date=17 November 2015|access-date=20 November 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151120031928/http://theaviationist.com/2015/11/17/russian-tu-22s-joined-the-syria-air-war/ |archive-date=20 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=DT>{{cite news |last1=Oliphant |first1=Roland |last2=Akkoc |first2=Raziye |last3=Steafel |first3=Eleanor |date=17 November 2015 |title=Paris attacks: Cameron to make case for Syria military action as EU troops could be sent to France |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/11999927/Paris-France-terror-attacks-isil-Belgium-Molenbeek-suspects-Syria-Raqqa-bombing-live.html |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=Online |access-date=17 November 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151117090022/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/11999927/Paris-France-terror-attacks-isil-Belgium-Molenbeek-suspects-Syria-Raqqa-bombing-live.html |archive-date=17 November 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In August 2018, several Russian military aircraft including two Tu-160, Tu-95MS strategic bombers and Il-78 aerial tankers were deployed for the first time to the [[Russian Far East]] as part of a long-range tactical flight exercise, flying 7,000&nbsp;km non-stop flight from their home base in [[Saratov Oblast]] to [[Chukotka Autonomous Okrug|Chukotka]]. During the exercise, the crews practised the combat use of cruise missiles at the Komi Test Range and performed aerial refueling.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://function.mil.ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12191250@egNews|title=Экипажи Ту-160 впервые в истории выполнили посадку на аэродром Анадырь в ходе учения дальней авиации|website=function.mil.ru|date=16 August 2018|access-date=17 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218054900/https://function.mil.ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12191250@egNews|archive-date=18 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://themoscowtimes.com/news/russian-supersonic-bombers-deploy-near-alaska-for-first-time-in-history-62555|title=Russian Supersonic Bombers Deploy Near Alaska 'For First Time in History'|website=themoscowtimes.com|date=17 August 2018|access-date=17 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181229171346/https://themoscowtimes.com/news/russian-supersonic-bombers-deploy-near-alaska-for-first-time-in-history-62555|archive-date=29 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2018, a modernized Tu-160M test-fired a full complement of 12 Kh-101 cruise missiles at the [[Pemboy proving ground]] in the northeastern region of [[Komi Republic]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://tass.com/defense/1036626|title=Russian strategic Tu-160 bomber test-fires 12 missiles|agency=[[TASS]]|date=18 December 2018|access-date=20 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220122222/http://tass.com/defense/1036626|archive-date=20 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 10 December 2018, two Tu-160s accompanied by an [[Antonov An-124 Ruslan|An-124]] cargo plane and an [[Ilyushin Il-62|Il-62]] passenger plane, landed at the [[Simón Bolívar International Airport (Venezuela)|Maiquetía airport]] in Venezuela.<ref name="VenezuelaIsachenkovTime">{{cite magazine |url= http://time.com/5475681/russia-nuclear-bombers-venezuela/ |title= Russia Just Sent Two Nuclear-Capable Bombers to Venezuela |author= Vladimir Isachenkov |date= 10 December 2018 |magazine= [[Time (magazine)|Time]] |access-date= 11 December 2018 |quote= The bombers' deployment follows Venezuelan President [[Nicolás Maduro|Nicolas Maduro]]'s visit to Moscow last week in a bid to shore up political and economic assistance even as his country has been struggling to pay billions of dollars owed to Russia. |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181211073157/http://time.com/5475681/russia-nuclear-bombers-venezuela/ |archive-date= 11 December 2018 |url-status= dead}}</ref> On 23 October 2019, two Tu-160s accompanied by an An-124 and an Il-62 visited South Africa as part of strengthening ties between the two nations; the aircraft performed a 13 hours non-stop flight over the [[Caspian Sea]], [[Arabian Sea]], and Indian Ocean, covering {{cvt|11000|km}} with mid-air refueling and landed at [[Air Force Base Waterkloof|Waterkloof Air Force Base]] in South Africa. It was the Tu-160's first visit to the African continent.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://ria.ru/20191023/1560130666.html |title= На аэродроме в ЮАР приземлились два российских ракетоносца Ту-160 |agency= RIA Novosti |date= 23 October 2019 |access-date= 25 October 2019 |archive-date= 21 January 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230121212442/https://ria.ru/20191023/1560130666.html |url-status= live }}</ref>

On 11 November 2021, the [[Ministry of Defence (Belarus)|Belarusian Defense Ministry]] announced that two Russian Tu-160s flew on a training mission over Belarus alongside [[Belarusian Air Force]] [[Sukhoi Su-30]]s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Why Are Russian Bombers Over Belarus?|date=12 November 2021|url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/why-are-russian-bombers-over-belarus-196264|publisher=The National Interest|access-date=13 November 2021|archive-date=21 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121212439/https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/why-are-russian-bombers-over-belarus-196264|url-status=live}}</ref>

The type was involved in the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]]. According to Ukrainian sources, on 6 March 2022, a Tu-160 along with a Tu-95MS strategic bomber launched eight cruise missiles, presumably the Kh-101, at the [[Havryshivka Vinnytsia International Airport]] from the [[Black Sea]] area.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3422140-missile-strikes-on-vinnytsia-airfield-launched-from-black-sea.html|title=Missile strikes on Vinnytsia airfield launched from Black Sea|website=ukrinform.net|date=6 March 2022|accessdate=26 June 2022|language=en|archive-date=5 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205044845/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3422140-missile-strikes-on-vinnytsia-airfield-launched-from-black-sea.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On 26 June 2022, Ukrainian Air Force spokesman [[Yurii Ihnat]] reported four to six Kh-101 cruise missiles were launched by Tu-160 and Tu-95MS bombers at [[Kyiv]] from the [[Caspian Sea]] area.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3515458-russian-missiles-on-kyiv-launched-with-tu95-tu160-bombers-air-force-command.html|title=Russian missiles on Kyiv launched with Tu-95, Tu-160 bombers – Air Force Command|website=ukrinform.net|date=26 June 2022|access-date=26 June 2022|archive-date=10 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210224413/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3515458-russian-missiles-on-kyiv-launched-with-tu95-tu160-bombers-air-force-command.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 20 January 2025, Ukraine launched a drone attack on the [[Kazan Aircraft Production Association|Gorbunov Kazan Aviation Plant]] in [[Kazan]], Russia where the Tu-160 is built, about {{cvt|1000|km|mi}} from the border with Ukraine, causing several explosions. Russian sources stated that damage was minimal and all drone threats had been neutralized.<ref name=newsweek20250120>{{cite news |title=Explosions Rock Russian Nuclear Aviation Plant After Massive Drone Raid |url=https://www.newsweek.com/russia-nuclear-plant-kazan-drone-attack-2017521 |date=20 January 2025 |access-date=20 January 2025 |work=[[Newsweek]] }}</ref><ref name=mt20250120>{{cite news |title=Ukrainian Drones Target Industrial Plants in Russia's Tatarstan |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/01/20/ukrainian-drones-target-industrial-plants-in-russias-tatarstan-a87662 |date=20 January 2025 |access-date=20 January 2025 |work=[[Moscow Times]] }}</ref>

On 1 June, [[Operation Spider's Web|Ukraine claimed]] to have hit four Tu-160 bombers at airfields inside Russia with swarms of small drones.<ref>[https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/02/europe/inside-ukraine-drone-attack-russian-air-bases-latam-intl "New footage reveals the impact of Ukraine’s audacious drone attack on Russian air bases"]. CNN, 4 June 2025.</ref><ref>[https://kyivindependent.com/enemy-bombers-are-burning-en-masse-ukraines-sbu-drones-hit-more-than-40-russian-aircraft/ "'Russian bombers are burning en masse' — Ukraine's SBU drones hit 'more than 40' aircraft in mass attack, source says"]. kyivindependent.com, 1 June 2025.</ref>

=== Potential operators ===
In 2022, retired Air Chief Marshal [[Arup Raha|Anoop Raha]] said India was interested in purchasing Tu-160s.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gaur |first=Madhavi |date=2022-08-20 |title=India to buy Six Tu-160 long-range bombers from Russia |newspaper=Adda 247 |url=https://currentaffairs.adda247.com/india-to-buy-six-tu-160-long-range-bombers-from-russia/ |access-date=2022-09-20 |archive-date=3 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103205411/https://currentaffairs.adda247.com/india-to-buy-six-tu-160-long-range-bombers-from-russia/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Reports emerged in late 2022 that India was in talks with Russia to acquire six Tu-160s that could make India the only country other than US, Russia and China to have operational strategic bombers.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-08-11 |title=Tupolev Tu-160 'White Swan' for Indian Indian Air Force? Facts about world's biggest bomber aircraft |newspaper=Daily News & Analysis (DNA) |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/photo-gallery-tupolev-tu-160-white-swan-for-indian-indian-air-force-facts-about-world-s-biggest-bomber-aircraft-2975799/ |access-date=2022-12-07 |archive-date=24 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924005206/https://www.dnaindia.com/india/photo-gallery-tupolev-tu-160-white-swan-for-indian-indian-air-force-facts-about-world-s-biggest-bomber-aircraft-2975799 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |author=Lt. Col. JS Sodhi |date=23 August 2022 |title=Tupolev Tu-160: The ace of air warfare |newspaper=Financial Express |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/tupolev-tu-160-the-ace-of-air-warfare/2641354/ |access-date=2022-12-07 |archive-date=22 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922074454/https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/tupolev-tu-160-the-ace-of-air-warfare/2641354/ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{update after|2025|1|20}}<!-- and then what? after the talks? Is India still purchasing a wide variety of Russian military goods following events in 2023 in the Russo-Ukrainian war? -->

==Variants==
[[File:Энгельс Ту-160 02 фото 3.jpg|thumb|upright=2|Tu-160 ''Vasily Reshetnikov'' at the [[Engels-2 air base]]]]
[[File:Tu-160 Burlak.jpg|thumb|Tu-160 with Burlak launch vehicle]]
;Tu-160: Production version.
;Tu-160S:Designation used for serial Tu-160s when needed to separate them from all the pre-production and experimental aircraft.<ref name="A&C">''Aviation and Cosmonautics'' magazine, 5.2006, pp. 10–11. {{OCLC|24440468}}.</ref>
;Tu-160V: Proposed [[liquid hydrogen]] fueled version (see also [[Tupolev Tu-155|Tu-155]]).<ref name="A&C" />
;Tu-160 NK-74: Proposed upgraded (extended range) version with NK-74 engines.<ref name="A&C" />
;Tu-160M: Upgraded version that features new weaponry, improved electronics and avionics.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=ПАО «ОАК» |url=https://t.me/uac_ru/942 |access-date=2022-12-31 |website=Telegram |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201224822/https://t.me/uac_ru/942 |url-status=live }}</ref>[[File:Vladimir Putin visited the Kazan Aircraft Production Association 05.jpg|thumb|A Tu-160M at [[Kazan Aircraft Production Association|Kazan]] in 2018.]]
;Tu-160P (Tu-161): Proposed very long-range escort fighter/interceptor version.{{cn|date=January 2025}}
;Tu-160PP: Proposed [[electronic warfare]] version carrying stand-off jamming and [[Electronic countermeasures|ECM]] gear ({{langx|ru|link=no|ПП – '''п'''остановщик '''п'''омех "jamming"}}).{{cn|date=January 2025}}
;Tu-160R: Proposed{{when|date=January 2025}} strategic [[reconnaissance]] version.{{cn|date=January 2025}}
;Tu-160SK: Proposed commercial version, designed to launch satellites via the "Burlak" ({{langx|ru|link=no|Бурлак}}, "hauler") launch system.<ref name="A&C" />
;Tu-160M2: Highly upgraded version featuring,<ref name="urlRussia Rolls Out New Tu-160M2, But Are Moscows Bomber Ambitions Realistic? - The Drive">{{cite web |url=http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/16175/russia-rolls-out-new-tu-160m2-but-are-moscows-bomber-ambitions-realistic |title=Russia Rolls Out New Tu-160M2, But Are Moscow's Bomber Ambitions Realistic? – The Drive |date=17 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207020935/http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/16175/russia-rolls-out-new-tu-160m2-but-are-moscows-bomber-ambitions-realistic |archive-date=7 February 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Franz-Stefan Gady, The Diplomat |url=https://thediplomat.com/2018/03/russia-to-receive-entire-fleet-of-upgraded-supersonic-nuclear-capable-bombers-by-2030/ |title=Russia to Receive Entire Fleet of Upgraded Supersonic Nuclear-Capable Bombers by 2030 |publisher=The Diplomat |access-date=29 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206145426/https://thediplomat.com/2018/03/russia-to-receive-entire-fleet-of-upgraded-supersonic-nuclear-capable-bombers-by-2030/ |archive-date=6 December 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/heres-why-russias-new-tu-160m2-could-be-natos-worst-25045|title=Here's Why Russia's 'New' Tu-160M2 Could Be NATO's Worst Nightmare|first=Dave|last=Majumdar|date=23 March 2018|website=The National Interest|access-date=29 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206130303/https://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/heres-why-russias-new-tu-160m2-could-be-natos-worst-25045|archive-date=6 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> new avionics, electronics, glass cockpit, communications and control systems, and a number of new weapons, as well as new more powerful and efficient engines giving it greater operational range. It will also have a new defensive system to protect it from incoming missiles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defencetalk.com/russia-to-launch-serial-production-of-upgraded-tu-160m2-strategic-bomber-69726/|title=Russia to Launch Serial Production of Upgraded Tu-160M2 Strategic Bomber|website=DefenceTalk.com|date=14 April 2017|access-date=29 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026074251/http://www.defencetalk.com/russia-to-launch-serial-production-of-upgraded-tu-160m2-strategic-bomber-69726/|archive-date=26 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="urlRussia Says Its Future Bombers Will Have Protection From All Missiles - The Drive">{{cite web |url=http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/11598/russia-says-its-future-bombers-will-have-protection-from-all-missiles |title=Russia Says Its Future Bombers Will Have Protection From 'All Missiles' – The Drive |date=16 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015137/http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/11598/russia-says-its-future-bombers-will-have-protection-from-all-missiles |archive-date=7 February 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> The first plane was to be ready by late 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tass.com/defense/1241341|title=First newly-built Tu-160M to make maiden flight in 4th quarter of 2021|access-date=4 January 2021|archive-date=22 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122110929/https://tass.com/defense/1241341|url-status=live}}</ref> There has been some discussion about whether radar absorptive materials have been applied,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nationalsecurityjournal.org/nato-should-worry-russias-tu-160m-is-a-bomber-powerhouse/|title=NATO Should Worry: Russia's Tu-160M Is a Bomber Powerhouse|date=24 May 2025 |access-date=19 June 2025}}</ref> but most sources confine its upgrades to electronic warfare and enhanced range/avionics.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.19fortyfive.com/2025/04/russias-new-tu-160m-mach-2-bomber-simply-summed-up-in-4-words/|title=Russia's 'New' Tu-160M Mach 2 Bomber Simply Summed Up in 4 Words|date=13 April 2025 |access-date=19 June 2025}}</ref>

==Operators==
===Current operators===
;{{RUS}}
* [[Russian Aerospace Forces]] – 18 Tu-160/M operational, of which 5 Tu-160 in repair and modernization. There are a further 2 Tu-160M under construction. According to [[Newsweek]], 2 Tu-160M and 2 Tu-160M2 have been commissioned as of July 2025.<ref>{{cite web | last=Cole | first=Brendan | title=Russia is struggling to build warplanes | website=Newsweek | date=2025-07-03 | url=https://www.newsweek.com/russia-aircraft-tupolev-2092522 | access-date=2025-08-04}}</ref>
** [[22nd Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Division|6950th Guards Air Base]] – [[Engels-2 air base]], [[Saratov Oblast]]
*** 121st Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment

===Former operators===
[[File:Tupolev Tu-160 in 1997.jpg|thumb|Ukrainian Air Force Tu-160, 1997]]
;{{USSR}}
* [[Soviet Air Forces]] Long Range Aviation – aircraft were transferred to the Russian and Ukrainian Air Forces after the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]].
** 201st Heavy Bomber Aviation Division – [[Pryluky (air base)|Pryluky Air Base]], [[Chernihiv Oblast]], [[Ukrainian SSR]]
*** 184th Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment (GvTBAP)
;{{UKR}}
* [[Ukrainian Air Force]] – inherited 19 Tu-160s from the former Soviet Union, and subsequently handed over 8 Tu-160s to Russia as exchange for gas debt relief in 1999; the remainder were scrapped under the [[Nunn–Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction]] agreement led by the US.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ukraine Bomber Decommissioning and Transfer Chronology |url=http://www.nti.org/media/pdfs/ukraine_bomber.pdf?_=1317244859 |website=Nuclear Threat Initiative |date=April 2005 |access-date=3 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813101836/https://www.nti.org/media/pdfs/ukraine_bomber.pdf?_=1317244859 |archive-date=13 August 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyyD6On0IJo|title=How Americans destroyed Ukraines best Military devices, the Tu 160 Bomber|via=YouTube|date=24 April 2014|access-date=20 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309160633/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyyD6On0IJo|archive-date=9 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
** 201st Heavy Bomber Aviation Division – [[Pryluky (air base)|Pryluky Air Base]], Chernihiv Oblast, Ukraine
*** 184th Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment (GvTBAP)
* 1 Tu-160 in the [[Poltava Museum of Long-Range and Strategic Aviation]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Long Range Aviation Museum |url=http://www.tourism.poltava.ua/eng/museums/Long_Range_Aviation_Museum/ |website=Tourism.Poltava.ua |publisher=Cooperative project of Fox Web Workshop and city executive committee Dept. of Culture and Tourism |access-date=3 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402181835/http://www.tourism.poltava.ua/eng/museums/Long_Range_Aviation_Museum/ |archive-date=2 April 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.doroga.ua/poi/Poltavskaya/Poltava/Muzej_daljnej_aviacii/1304|script-title=ru:Музей дальней авиации, Полтава|language=ru|trans-title=Museum of long-range aviation, Poltava|access-date=17 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818230258/http://www.doroga.ua/poi/Poltavskaya/Poltava/Muzej_daljnej_aviacii/1304|archive-date=18 August 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Specifications (Tu-160)==
[[File:Ту-160 3-view graphic.svg|thumb|[[Orthographic projection]] of the Tupolev Tu-160]]
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=''Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2003–2004'' <ref name="JAWA03 p425-6">Jackson 2003, pp. 425–426.</ref>
|prime units?=met
<!--   General characteristics
-->
|crew=4 (pilot, co-pilot, bombardier, defensive systems officer)
|length m=54.1
|length note=
|span m=55.7
|span note=wings spread (20°)
::::{{cvt|35.6|m|0}} wings swept (65°)
|height m=13.1
|height note=
|wing area sqm=400
|wing area note=wings spread
::::{{cvt|360|m2|0}} wings swept
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil=
|empty weight kg=110000
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg=267600
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight kg=275000
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
<!--   Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=4
|eng1 name=[[Samara NK-321]]
|eng1 type=[[afterburning turbofan]] engines
|eng1 kn=137.3
|eng1 note=
|eng1 kn-ab=245
<!--   Performance
-->
|max speed kmh=2220
|max speed note=at {{cvt|12200|m}}
|max speed mach=2.05
|cruise speed kmh=960
|cruise speed note= / M0.9
|stall speed kmh=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed note=
|minimum control speed kmh=
|minimum control speed note=
|range km=12300
|range note=practical range without in-flight refuelling, Mach 0.77 and carrying 6 × Kh-55SM dropped at mid range and 5% fuel reserves<ref name="Brassey">Taylor 1996, p. 103.</ref>
|combat range km=2000
|combat range note=at Mach 1.5; or {{cvt|7300|km|0}} at subsonic speeds<ref name=spec>{{cite web |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/russia/tu-160.htm |title=Tu-160 BLACKJACK (TUPOLEV) |website=[[GlobalSecurity.org]] |access-date=16 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090617074339/http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/russia/tu-160.htm |archive-date=17 June 2009}}</ref>
|ferry range km=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling m=16000
|ceiling note=
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|climb rate ms=70
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|lift to drag=18.5–19, while supersonic it is above 6<ref name=russ_spec>{{cite web|url=http://www.airforce.ru/aircraft/tupolev/tu-160/book/page_2_6.htm|script-title=ru:ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКИ БОМБАРДИРОВЩИКА Ту-160|language=ru|trans-title=Tu-160 bomber specifications|publisher=airforce.ru|access-date=3 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425135727/http://airforce.ru/aircraft/tupolev/tu-160/book/page_2_6.htm|archive-date=25 April 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>
|wing loading kg/m2=742
|wing loading note=with wings fully swept
|thrust/weight=0.37
|fuel consumption kg/km=

|more performance=
<!--   Armament
-->
|armament=
* Two internal weapon bays for {{convert|45000|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} of ordnance.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://ria.ru/20181223/1548512432.html|title=В Минобороны доказали превосходство Ту-160 над американским B-1B|agency=RIA Novosti|date=23 December 2018|access-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225020405/https://ria.ru/20181223/1548512432.html|archive-date=25 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
:* Two internal rotary launchers each holding 6 × [[Kh-55|Raduga Kh-55SM/101/102/555/BD]] [[cruise missile]]s (primary armament) or 12 × [[AS-16 Kickback|Raduga Kh-15]] short-range nuclear missiles.

|avionics=
}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Aviation|Soviet Union|Russia}}
{{aircontent
|see also= <!-- first, the related articles that do not fit the specific entries: -->
* [[Tupolev PAK DA]]
* [[Tupolev Tu-134B|Tupolev Tu-134UBL]], used for Tu-160 pilot training
|related= <!-- designs which were developed into or from this aircraft: -->
|similar aircraft= <!-- aircraft that are of similar Role, Era, and Capability as this design: -->
* [[Sukhoi T-4]]
* [[Rockwell B-1 Lancer]]
* [[Xi'an H-6]]K
* [[Tupolev Tu-22M]]
|lists=<!-- relevant lists that this aircraft appears in: -->
* [[List of military aircraft of the Soviet Union and the CIS]]
* [[List of bomber aircraft]]
<!-- See [[WP:Air/PC]] for more explanation of these fields. -->
}}

==References==

===Notes===
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* ''The Directory of the World's Weapons.'' Leicester, UK: Blitz Editions, 1996. {{ISBN|978-1-85605-348-8}}.
* {{Cite book |editor-last=Eden |editor-first=Paul |title=The Encyclopedia of Modern Military Aircraft |date=July 2006 |location=London |publisher=Amber Books, 2004 |isbn=1-904687-84-9}}
* Jackson, Paul. ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004''. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. {{ISBN|0-7106-2537-5}}.
* {{cite journal |last1=Nicolaou|first1=Stéphane|title=Toupolev Tu-160: L'arme absolue (2)|journal=Avions |date=July–August 2020 |issue=235 |pages=86–95|trans-title=Tupolev Tu-160: The Absolute Weapon, Part 2|language=French |issn=1243-8650}}
* Taylor, Michael J. H. ''Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory''. London: Brassey's, 1996. {{ISBN|1-85753-198-1}}.

==External links==
{{Commons category|Tupolev Tu-160}}
* {{cite web|language=ru |trans-title=First flight of new strategic missile carrier Tu-160 |access-date=25 January 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92JDz_vvhck |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/92JDz_vvhck |archive-date=21 December 2021 |url-status=live |title=Первый полет нового стратегического ракетоносца Ту-160 |date=25 January 2018 |via= YouTube |work=[[United Aircraft Corporation]]}}{{cbignore}}

{{Tupolev aircraft}}
{{USAF/DoD reporting names}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Tupolev aircraft|Tu-0160]]
[[Category:1980s Soviet bomber aircraft]]
[[Category:Quadjets]]
[[Category:Low-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Variable-sweep-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1981]]
[[Category:Supersonic aircraft]]
[[Category:Strategic bombers]]