| Technical data |
| Type |
Tu-95 'Bear-A' |
| Function |
bomber |
| Year |
|
| Crew |
|
| Engines |
4*14795hp Kuznetsov NK-12M |
| Speed |
870km/h |
| Ceiling |
13400m |
| Range |
12550km |
| Armament |
|
The Tu-95
is in many respects an unlikely aircraft. It is an heavy bomber with a slender
fuselage, swept wings, and four extremely powerful turboprop engines driving
counter-rotating propellers - more than enough for the West not to take it
serious at first.
This Bear-C (55k) was borrowed (hijacked) at
Russian Aircraft Resource
periodic exposition by
Roy Cochrun
But more than 30 years after its first appearance, it was still in production as a maritime patrol aircraft and cruise
missile carrier.
Original 'Bear-A' was a free-fall bomber and carries only small radar under nose.
'Bear-B' has the 'Top Crown' radar under nose and refueling probe in front of cockpit;
'Bear-C' is a dual recco and bomber version. Differs from 'Bear-B' by having blisters on both sides of the rear fuselage. Capable
to carry AS-3 'Kangaroo' under belly.
'Bear-D' with 'Mushroom' chin radar and the enormous 'Big Bulge' under the belly is a general purpose maritime version.
'Bear-E' maritime recco version similar to "Bear-A' but has refueling probe, rear blister fairings and cameras in the weapon bay.
'Bear-F' is an anti-submarine version with smaller under-belly radar than one of 'Bear-D'. It also features extended forward
fuselage and MAD projection from the tailfin.
'Bear-G' looks like 'Bear-B/C' but subsonic 'Kangaroo' is replaced by supersonic air-surface AS-4 'Kitchen'.
'Bear-H' is the new-build cruise missile (AS-X-15) carrier. It has radar similar to the 'Top Crown' of the 'Bear-B/C'.
1985
Air force designation(s)
Tu-20 ;
Development(s)/Modification(s) :
Tu-95K "Bear-G"
Tu-95MS "Bear-H"
(337) Tu-95MS 'Bear-H' at the RAF Fairford, photo by
Paul Nann;
Tu-95MS6 "Bear-H"
Tu-95MS16 "Bear-H"
Tu-95M "Bear-A/B"
Tu-95K "Bear-G"
Tu-114 - civil development;
Tu-114D/Tu-116 - VIP airliner;
Tu-96 with NK-16 engine.
Tu-119 with nuclear reactor power plant.
Tu-126 'Moss'
- the first Soviet AWACS aircraft with more capacious fuselage;
Tu-142
(1973)
More Tu-95 links...
Tu-95
at the Virtual Aircraft Museum
Tu-95 at
Yanko's Russian Weapons Catalog; (added 8/18/97)
Tu-95, Tupolev 'Bear'
Tu-20 Bear-A