On November 17, the long-range aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces carried out a unique operation. 25 long-range and strategic bombers carried out a massive missile and bomb attack on various terrorist targets in Syria. This operation is interesting for its tactical and strategic implications, and is also important from the point of view of history. On November 17, the first real combat use of the Tu-95MS and Tu-160 strategic bombers took place. Despite a fairly long career, these aircraft have not yet participated in armed conflicts and have not destroyed real targets.
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, in the morning (Moscow time) on November 17, long-range bombers Tu-22M3, Tu-95MS and Tu-160 with various payloads were lifted into the air. 12 Tu-22M3 aircraft, taking off from the Mozdok airfield, bombed several targets in the Syrian provinces of Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor from 5:00 to 5:30. At 9:00 the attack was launched by the strategic missile carriers Tu-95MS and Tu-160. They fired 34 air-launched cruise missiles, which soon destroyed predetermined targets in Idlib and Aleppo provinces. After launching the missiles, the "strategists" went home to the Engels airbase. Later, at about 16:30, Tu-22M3 bombers launched a second attack on enemy targets. During this operation, Tu-22M3 covered about 4510 km, Tu-95MS and Tu-160 - 6566 km.
Slide from the presentation of the Ministry of Defense dedicated to long-range aviation flights. Frame from the reportage Russia Today / Prokhor-tebin.livejournal.com
As already mentioned, last Tuesday was a unique day for Russian long-range aviation. Two strategic bombers at once, after several decades of relatively peaceful operation, finally took part in real hostilities and fired missiles not at conventional targets, but at real enemy targets. If we count from the date of entry into service, then the Tu-95 bombers had to wait for this day for 59 years (since 1956), and the Tu-160 - 28 years (since 1987). Thus, the Tu-95 set a new world record for the time between the beginning of service and the start of a real combat career, which is unlikely to ever be beaten.
Tu-95
Recall that design work on a new strategic bomber, called the Tu-95, started back in the late forties. An experimental vehicle of this type made its first flight on November 12, 1952, i.e. 63 years ago. Initially, it was a turboprop bomber designed to deliver conventional and nuclear bombs to enemy targets. The specific requirements for the aircraft led to the use of a number of interesting technical solutions, which to one degree or another ensured the possibility of several upgrades and uniquely long-term operation.
Tu-95 basic modification. Photo Vikond65.livejournal.com
Over time, several modifications of the base Tu-95 aircraft were created. An upgraded version of the Tu-95M was developed and put into series; in the late fifties, the first missile carrier of the family, the Tu-95K, appeared. Also, the long-range bomber became the base for the Tu-95RTs reconnaissance target designator, the Tu-142 anti-submarine aircraft, the Tu-126 long-range radar detection aircraft, etc. Of particular interest is the Tu-114 project, in which the strategic bomber "turned" into a long-range passenger airliner. Also, the Tu-95 was supposed to become the basis for the Tu-119 bomber, equipped with a nuclear power plant.
On the basis of the first missile carrier of the Tu-95K family, several modifications were developed, intended for the use of guided missiles of various types. Aircraft Tu-95K, Tu-95K-22, Tu-95KD and Tu-95KM could carry and launch cruise missiles Kh-20, Kh-20M and Kh-22, which significantly increased the strike potential of long-range aviation, and also expanded the range of tasks to be solved … The operation of machines of the "K" family continued for several decades, after which this technique was supplemented or replaced with newer aircraft.
At present, Russian long-range aviation operates several dozen Tu-95MS aircraft. This modification, intended for the use of air-launched cruise missiles, was developed in the late seventies on the basis of the Tu-142M anti-submarine aircraft. Since the beginning of the eighties, these missile carriers were mass-produced and transferred to combat units. Until 1992, 90 Tu-95MS aircraft were built, after which serial production was stopped. At the moment, more than three dozen such aircraft remain in service.
In 2013, the next stage of modernization of the existing aviation equipment began. Tu-95MS bombers are being repaired and modernized, during which they receive a set of new electronic equipment that allows them to improve their general characteristics, as well as use new types of weapons. After modernization, the aircraft receives the designation Tu-95MSM. It was argued that the aircraft that have undergone modernization will be able to remain in service until at least the mid-twenties.
Modern Tu-95MS. Photo Beriev.com
On the morning of November 17, 2015, six Tu-95MS bombers took off from the Engels airfield and headed for the launch site of cruise missiles at terrorist targets in Syria. As far as is known, in this operation the aircraft used Kh-55 (or Kh-555) cruise missiles. Videos released by the military show that used missiles were transported inside cargo bays, on drum launchers. The number of rockets fired by each of the six aircraft is unknown.
Tu-160
The creation of a promising strategic supersonic bomber-missile carrier started in the late sixties. After a number of various events and disputes at the top, the Tupolev Design Bureau was involved in the development of such technology, which ultimately won the competition for the creation of a new aircraft. In cooperation with several hundred related enterprises, a project was created, according to which a prototype of a new aircraft was built in the early eighties.
The first prototype of the Tu-160. Photo Airwar.ru
Experienced Tu-160 took off for the first time on December 18, 1981. A little later, several other machines joined the flight tests. Checks and fine-tuning continued over the next few years, after which it was decided to start mass production of new equipment. In 1984, the Kazan Aviation Plant began to master the assembly of new missile carriers. The first production aircraft took off on October 10 of the same year. Later, a relatively large series was built. A total of 35 aircraft were built: 8 prototypes and 27 production aircraft.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Tu-160 bombers built and handed over to the Air Force went to Russia and Ukraine. Having renounced its nuclear status, Ukraine intended to dispose of its strategic missile carriers, including 19 Tu-160 units. As a result of lengthy negotiations, an agreement was signed, according to which Kiev, in order to pay off debts for gas supplies, was to transfer to Moscow 8 Tu-160 aircraft, 3 Tu-95MS, several hundred cruise missiles and various equipment. One of the Tu-160s was transferred to the Poltava Museum of Long-Range Aviation. The rest of the aircraft remaining in Ukraine were scrapped.
Russia currently has 16 Tu-160 strategic missile carriers based at Engels airfield. Currently, a program of repair and modernization of this equipment is being implemented, during which the aircraft receive a number of new equipment. Not so long ago, a decision was made to resume the serial production of such aircraft. Over the next decades, several dozen new missile carriers with improved characteristics can be built.
Combat Tu-160 "Alexander Novikov". Photo Wikimedia Commons
On November 17, Tu-160 bombers took part in an operation conducted by the Russian Aerospace Forces in Syria. In the morning, five vehicles of this type took off and headed for the missile launch area. The purpose of the departure was a massive attack on terrorist facilities in Syria. Having reached the indicated area, the bombers launched missiles. The published official launch chronicle is of great interest: during this operation, the Tu-160 used a new type of missile. It was not the old and familiar X-55 that was used, but some new ammunition of a characteristic type, probably the X-101.
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For several decades, the Tu-95 and Tu-160 strategic bombers participated in various exercises, patrolled designated areas, or simply stood idle on the ground. During all this time, they have never been able to participate in the attack of a real target in the course of a real armed conflict. The Tu-95 had been waiting for their first combat operation for almost six decades, and the Tu-160 were able to fire at real targets only in the 29th year of service.
The time of "inactivity" is over. Both Russian strategic missile carriers finally took part in the battles and opened an account of their victories. During its first sortie, 11 aircraft of two types launched 34 cruise missiles and destroyed a number of enemy targets in two Syrian provinces. The battle score was opened effectively and efficiently. It is not yet known whether the Tu-95MS and Tu-160 will carry out new sorties to attack terrorist targets. Nevertheless, these aircraft have already shown what they are capable of, and no one can now accuse them of not being able to carry out real combat missions.
