Tupolev Tu-16

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The Tupolev Tu-16 (USAF/DOD reporting name Type 39;[1] NATO reporting name: Badger)[2] is a twin-engined jet strategic heavy bomber used by the Soviet Union. It has been flown for almost 70 years. While many aircraft in Soviet service were retired after the Cold War ended, a Chinese license-built version, the Xi'an H-6, remains in service with the People's Liberation Army Air Force.

The bomber saw decades of combat use with the Egyptian and Iraqi Air Forces. Egypt conducted its first combat use in the North Yemen civil war, later in the Six-Day War and Yom Kippur War against Israel, and briefly in the Egyptian–Libyan War. Iraq also used the bomber in the Six-Day War, and later the Iran–Iraq War.

China began license production of Tu-16s in 1959, and developed the H-6 version by 1968. Modern variants such as the H-6K are still being actively produced since 2020Template:Dated maintenance category (articles)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters"..[3]

Development

File:Tu-16.jpg
Tu-16 bomber at the Monino Museum (1998)

In the late 1940s, the Soviet Union was strongly committed to matching the United States in strategic bombing capability. The Soviets' only long-range bomber at the time was Tupolev's Tu-4 "Bull", a reverse-engineered copy of the American B-29 Superfortress. The development of the notably powerful Mikulin AM-3 turbojet led to the possibility of a large, jet-powered bomber.

The Tupolev design bureau began work on the Tu-88 ("Aircraft N") prototypes in 1950. The Tu-88 first flew on 27 April 1952. After winning a competition against the Ilyushin Il-46, it was approved for production in December 1952. The first production bombers entered service with Frontal Aviation in 1954, receiving the service designation Tu-16. It received the NATO reporting name Badger-A.

File:Tu-16 rear.jpg
Rear side view of a Tu-16 Badger reconnaissance variant (most likely a Tu-16R) c.1989

It had a new, large swept wing and two large Mikulin AM-3 turbojets, one in each wing root. It could carry a single massive FAB-9000 Template:Cvt bomb (the Russian equivalent in terms of size of the British Grand Slam, but a conventional bomb rather than a deep ground penetrator) or various nuclear weapons for a range of around Template:Cvt. Production took place in three aviation plants, Kazan Aircraft Production Association, Kuybyshev, and Voronezh Aircraft Production Association.

In 1955, a Tu-16 was used to drop RDS-37, the Soviet Union's first thermonuclear weapon, over Semipalatinsk Test Site, Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic.[4]

Although the Tu-16 began as a high-altitude, free-fall bomber, in the mid-1950s, it was equipped to carry early Soviet cruise missiles. The Tu-16KS-1 (Badger-B) version could carry AS-1 missiles over a combat radius of Template:Cvt. These very large weapons were aerodynamically similar to the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 fighter, fitted with either a nuclear or conventional warhead, having a range of about Template:Cvt. They were intended for use primarily against US Navy aircraft carriers and other large surface ships. Subsequent Tu-16s were converted to carry later, more advanced missiles, while their designations changed several times.

File:Tu-16 Egyptian.jpg
Egyptian Tu-16s c.1980

A versatile design, the Tu-16 was built in numerous specialized variants for aerial reconnaissance, maritime surveillance, electronic intelligence gathering (ELINT), and electronic warfare (ECM). In total, 1,507 aircraft were constructed in three plants in the Soviet Union, in 1954–1962. A civilian adaptation, the Tupolev Tu-104, saw passenger service with Aeroflot. The Tu-16 was also exported to Indonesia, Egypt, and Iraq. It continued to be used by the Air Forces and naval aviation of the Soviet Union and subsequently Russia, until 1993.

Delivery of the Tu-16 to China began in 1958, and the Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation license-produced the aircraft under the Chinese designation Xian H-6.[5] The Soviets provided China with semi-knocked down and complete knock down kits, as well as raw materials for manufacture. The first Chinese-assembled Tu-16 was completed and flown in 1959. After the Sino-Soviet split, the first full domestically-produced H-6 took flight in December 1968.[6] At least 120 of H-6 aircraft remain in service. On 14 May 1965, one of the PLAAF Tu-16 bombers carried out the first airborne nuclear weapon test inside China.[5]

Operational history

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Egypt

The Tu-16 was first used during the North Yemen civil war by the Egyptian Air Force.[7]

In the Six-Day War, the Israeli Air Force destroyed on the ground 23 of Egypt's 25 Tu-16s, using napalm and cluster munitions.[7][8]

In the Yom Kippur War, the Egyptian Air Force made extensive use of Tu-16 variants for bombing runs, and the Tu-16K variant for missile attacks.[9]

In the Egyptian–Libyan War, Egypt used Tu-16s to strike Libyan bases and radars.[10]

Iraq

Tu-16s of the Iraqi Air Force carried out bombing raids on Israel during the Six-Day War. In one such raid, a Tu-16 was damaged and crashed into a barracks at the Ramat David Airbase, killing its crew and 11 to 14 Israeli reservists.[11]

Iraq made use of Tu-16s during the Iran–Iraq War, including to bomb advancing Iranian troops during the Siege of Basra,[12] and to carpet bombing the Iranian capital of Tehran.[13] Iraqi H-6s also made extensive use of the Chinese-exported C-601 anti-ship missile as part of the Tanker war.[14]

During the Gulf War, at least 3 Tu-16s of the Iraqi Air Force were destroyed on the ground.[15]

Variants

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File:F-8H Crusader of VF-13 escorts Egyptian Tupolev Tu-16 in May 1969.jpg
An F-8H Crusader of VF-13 escorts an Egyptian Tupolev Tu-16 in May 1969
File:Tu-16 Badger G.jpg
Tu-16 Badger G with KSR-5 missile
File:Tu-16badger 2.jpg
Tu-16K-10-26 Badger C
File:Tu-16K.jpg
Tu-16K-26 or Tu-16KSR-2-11-16, with KSR-5 missiles under wings (1998)

Among the main production variants of the Badger were the Tu-16 and Tu-16A bombers and Tu-16KS and Tu-16K-10 missile carriers, Tu-16SPS, "Elka", and Tu-16Ye ECM aircraft, Tu-16R reconnaissance aircraft, and Tu-16T torpedo bombers; others were produced from conversions. Individual aircraft could be modified several times, with designations changed, especially concerning missile-carrying aircraft.

  • "Aircraft 88" – Initial prototype.
  • "Aircraft 97" – Twin-engined long-range bomber development project of Tu-16 with two RD-5 engines.
  • "Aircraft 103" – Supersonic bomber development project of Tu-16 with four VD-7 AM-13 engines.
  • Badger A (Tu-16) – This is the basic configuration of the Tu-16 bomber deployed in 1954 to replace the Tu-4. Several modified models of this variant existed, all of which were known as Badger A in the West.
    • Tu-16A – Modified Tu-16s designed to carry nuclear bombs, one of main versions, with 453 built. Many of these were subsequently converted into other variants.
    • Tu-16Z – An early specialized version of the Tu-16 that served as airborne tankers (a refuelling method: wing-to-wing), though retaining their medium bomber role.
    • Tu-16G (Tu-104G) – Fast air mail model, Aeroflot aircrew training version.
    • Tu-16N – A dedicated tanker version for Tu-22/Tu-22M bombers, with probe and drogue system. Entered service in 1963. Similar aircraft Tu-16NN converted from Tu-16Z.
    • Tu-16T – Limited production maritime strike version (torpedo bomber), that served in the Soviet Naval Aviation, and carried torpedoes, mines and depth charges. 76 built and some more converted. All units subsequently converted into Tu-16S configuration.
    • Tu-16S – A lifeboat carrier version used for search and rescue operations.
    • Tu-16Ye – These were equipped with heavy electronic warfare and electronic intelligence (ELINT) equipment.
  • Badger B (Tu-16KS) – Variant designed as a launch platform for two AS-1 Kennel/KS-1 Komet missiles. 107 built in 1954–1958, served with the Soviet Naval Aviation, Egypt and Indonesia. Soviet ones later converted with newer missiles.
  • Badger C (Tu-16K-10) – Another Naval Aviation variant, units of this version carried a single AS-2 Kipper/K-10S anti-ship missile. 216 built in 1958–1963. It differed from other variants in having a radar in a nose. A further development, the Tu-16K-10-26, carried a single K-10S and two KSR-2 or KSR-5 AS-6 Kingfish missiles (K-26 missile complex). Some were later converted into ELINT platforms.
  • Badger D (Tu-16RM-1) – Maritime reconnaissance model with ELINT equipment; 23 converted from Tu-16K-10. It retained its radar in a nose and could guide K-10S missiles, fired from other planes, at targets.
  • Badger E (Tu-16R) – Reconnaissance version of the airframe, with ELINT equipment, first of all meant for maritime reconnaissance. It could guide KS missiles.
    • Tu-16RM-2 – modified Tu-16R, serving in the Naval Aviation. It could guide KSR-2 missiles.
    • Tu-16KRM – Launch platforms for target drones (a variant of Tu-16K-26).
  • Badger F (Tu-16RM-2) – Another reconnaissance version based on the −16R/RM but with the addition of external ELINT equipment.
  • Badger G (Tu-16K/Tu-16KSR) – Serving in the Naval Aviation, these were conversions from earlier models. These were designed to carry bombs in internal bays in addition to carrying air-to-surface missiles externally, such as the AS-5 Kelt and AS-6 Kingfish. There existed numerous variants, designated either from carried missile complex (K-11, K-16 and K-26) or from missiles of these complexes (KSR-11, KSR-2 and KSR-5). Following further modifications, they were also given suffixes. Main variants:
    • Tu-16KSR-2 – carrying the K-16 complex (two KSR-2 missiles). Used from 1962. Similar aircraft, converted from other variants, were designated Tu-16K-16.
    • Tu-16K-11-16 – carrying the K-16 complex (KSR-2 missiles) or the K-11 complex (two anti-radar KSR-11 missiles). Used from 1962. Similar aircraft were designated Tu-16KSR-2-11. Over 440 Tu-16 could carry the K-16 or K-11 complex.
    • Tu-16K-26 – carrying the K-26 complex (two KSR-5 missiles), retaining a capability of KSR-2 and 11 missiles. Used from 1969. Similar aircraft were designated Tu-16KSR-2-5-11 or Tu-16KSR-2-5 (no KSR-11 capability). Over 240 Tu-16 could carry the K-26 complex.
    • Tu-16K-26P – carrying the K-26P missiles (two anti-radar KSR-5P missiles, as well as KSR-5, 2 or 11).
  • Badger H (Tu-16 Elka) – Designed for stand-off electronic warfare and electronic counter-measures support.
  • Badger J (Tu-16P Buket) – Another electronic warfare variant configured as an ECM strike escort.
  • Badger K (Tu-16Ye) – Believed to be a version of the Badger F configuration possessing enhanced ELINT capability.
  • Badger L (Tu-16P) – Another version of the Badger J with more modern systems and used in ELINT role.
  • "Aircraft 90" – Turboprop-powered project.
  • Tu-104 – Civilian airliner version.

Former operators

File:Badger operators.png
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  Current operators of the Tu-16/H-6
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  Former operators
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File:Flag of Azerbaijan (1991–2013).svg Azerbaijan
File:Flag of Belarus (1918, 1991–1995).svg Belarus
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File:Tupolev-TU-16-B-KS.jpg
Indonesian Air Force Tu-16KS-1 at Dirgantara Mandala Museum
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Retired from military service by 1995. A few aircraft were maintained and operated by designers and manufacturers for testing until 2001−2002, when it was finally retired[24]
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File:Flag of Ukraine (fair blue).svg Ukraine

Notable accidents

  • On 25 May 1968 a Soviet Air Force Tu-16 Badger-F piloted by Colonel Andrey Pliyev buzzed the US Navy aircraft carrier Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities". in the Norwegian Sea.[25] The Tu-16 made four passes, and on the last a wing clipped the sea and it crashed with no survivors. Parts of three bodies were recovered by the US.[26][27][28]
  • On 1 February 1971 a modified Tu-16 flying laboratory crashed during testing of a new jet engine, resulting in the death of the entire crew, including test pilot Amet-khan Sultan.[29]
  • On 28 August 1978 an early model Tu-16 crashed on Hopen island in Svalbard, Norway. All seven crew were killed in the accident. It was discovered by a four-man Norwegian weather forecasting team. The Soviets refused to admit the loss of an aircraft until the bodies of the crew were given to them. Norway transcribed the contents of the flight recorder over the objections of the Soviet government.[30][31][32]
  • On 27 June 1980 a Soviet Air Force Tu-16 Badger on a Tokyo Express flight crashed near Komatsu Air Base in Ishikawa Prefecture in the Sea of Japan. There were no survivors. The remains of three crew members were recovered by the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force ship Nemuro.

Specifications (Tu-16)

Orthographic projection of the Tupolev Tu-16.
Orthographic projection of the Tupolev Tu-16.

Template:Aircraft specs

See also

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Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

Footnotes

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  1. ↑ Jane's All the World's Aircraft p. 188
  2. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ a b Nasser's Gamble: How Intervention in Yemen Caused the Six-Day War and the Decline of Egyptian Power. Jesse Ferris. Princeton University Press, 2013. P.97
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ The Iran-Iraq War. Pierre Razoux, Harvard University Press, 2015. P.327
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  23. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  24. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  25. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  26. ↑ "Russ bomber falls in sea near U.S. ship May 26, 1968" Template:Webarchive Chicago Tribune Retrieved August 14, 2017
  27. ↑ The Games Pilots Play Over the Mediterranean August 23, 1981 Template:Webarchive The New York Times Retrieved August 14, 2017
  28. ↑ ASN Aircraft Accident 27-May-1968 Tupolev Tu-16 Badger Template:Webarchive Aviation Safety Network Retrieved August 14, 2017
  29. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  30. ↑ "Soviet Union Military Plane Crashes in Norway", Facts On File World News Digest, October 27, 1978 Template:Webarchive Retrieved August 15, 2017
  31. ↑ Svalbard Arctic out post at strategic crossroads September 9, 1980 Template:Webarchive The Christian Science Monitor Retrieved August 15, 2017
  32. ↑ Umbreit, Andreas Bradt Svalbard: Spitzbergen with Frank Josef Land & Jan Mayen page 132 Template:Webarchive Retrieved August 15, 2017

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Bibliography

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  • Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces,edited by Pavel Podvig, The MIT Press, 2001.
  • Soviet Military Power: 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988
  • Ту-16. Ракетно-бомбовый ударный комплекс Советских ВВС, Voyna v Vozduhye series no 26
  • EDISI KOLEKSI ANGKASA, RUDAL UDARA TRACKED AND DESTROYED, Edition of September 2006.

External links

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