Tupolev TU-95/142 Bear Soviet Airborne Surveillance. GAV 2272-237
The Tu-95 is the world's only swept-wing turboprop ever to enter service. Its distinct engines, each with two counter-rotating propellers, also make the Bear the fastest propeller-driven airplane ever built. The original Tu-95 was designed to carry two nuclear bombs to targets in the continental US. Later versions carried cruise missiles for long-ange stand-off missions. The Bear has also been used for reconnaissance, especially by the Soviet/Russian Navy which used the aircraft to locate US aircraft carrier task forces. A specialized variant of the Bear is the Tu-142 dedicated to maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare. Over 300 Bears were built. Tu-20 Original designation for the Tu-95/Tu-142 aircraft Tu-95/1, Tu-95/2 Prototypes Tu-95M 'Bear-A' First production model carrying two nuclear bombs Tu-95U 'Bear-A' Trainer version based on the Tu-95M Tu-95K Experimental model used to drop MiG-19 aircraft in flight in order to test systems for the Kh-20 missile Tu-95K-20 'Bear-B' Updated version armed with the Kh-20/AS-3 'Kangaroo' missile and featuring a large, flat nose radar Tu-95M-5 Model armed with the Kh-26/AS-6 'Kingfish' missile Tu-95KD Armed with the Kh-20 missile and equipped with an in-flight refueling probe on the nose Tu-95KM 'Bear-C' Similar to 'Bear-B' Tu-95RT 'Bear-D' Maritime reconnaissance model with multi-sensor pallets; 45 built Tu-95MR 'Bear-E' Maritime reconnaissance model with seven cameras located in the weapon bay Tu-95K-22 'Bear-G' Re-built 'Bear-B' and 'Bear-C' airframes with new avionics and armed with the Kh-22/AS-4 'Kitchen' missile Tu-95M-55 Missile carrier, details unknown Tu-95MS 'Bear-H' Armed with the Kh-55/AS-15 'Kent' cruise missile Tu-95MS-6 Armed with six Kh-55 missiles Tu-95MS-16 Armed with 16 Kh-55 missiles Tu-95MR 'Bear-J' Believed to be a communications relay aircraft Tu-96 High-speed development aircraft, details unknown Tu-119 Experimental design to test a nuclear-powered engine, converted
Size: 6128px × 3975px
Location: FAR Fairford Glouscester. England. United Kingdom.
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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