On January 12, the first newly manufactured strategic missile carrier Tu-160M performed its maiden flight from the airfield of the Kazan Aviation Plant.

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Newly manufactured Tu-160M, nicknamed "White Swan", during its maiden flight (Picture source: UAC)

The newly-built strategic bomber performed its flight at an altitude of 600 meters that lasted about 30 minutes. The crew of test pilots of the Tupolev Company conducted maneuvers making it possible to inspect the aircraft’s stable and controlled operations in the air, the press office said.

Russia’s newly-built Tu-160M strategic missile-carrying bomber has 80% of its equipment upgraded, CEO of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) Yury Slyusar said.

"The new aircraft has 80% of its systems and equipment modernized," the Rostec press office quoted the chief executive as saying.

The Tupolev Tu-160 strategic missile-carrying bomber can eventually carry new, including breakthrough weapons, Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov said.

"Today we see considerable prospects for the Tu-160 platform: its further development will make it possible to use it for new, including breakthrough weapons," the Rostec press office quoted the minister as saying.

Tu-160M was created in the framework of the large-scale program to upgrade available strategic and long-range bombers implemented by the Tupolev Company. The Tupolev Tu-160 (NATO reporting code: Blackjack) is a supersonic, variable-sweep wing heavy strategic bomber designed by the Tupolev Design Bureau in Russia. Although several civil and military transport aircraft are larger in overall dimensions, the Tu-160 is currently the world's largest combat aircraft, largest supersonic aircraft, and largest variable-sweep aircraft built.

In February 2020, the prototype of the upgraded strategic Tu-160M bomber made the first flight at the airfield of the Gorbunov KAZ plant The flight took place at an altitude of 1500 meters and lasted 34 minutes. The flight tested the upgraded systems of the bomber. The pilot said the flight proceeded normally without any remarks to the equipment.

The Russian Air Force Tu-160M strategic bomber is an upgraded version of the Tu-160 Blackjack aircraft. The new version features new weaponry, improved electronics and avionics, which double its combat effectiveness.

Tu-160M (Picture source: UAC)