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Tupolev Tu-16
Photo: U.S. Navy · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain Use of this image does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
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TupolevTu-16

Strategic Bombers · Russia · 1954
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TupolevTu-16

Tupolev Tu-16
Tupolev Tu-16 Photo: U.S. Navy · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain Use of this image does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Payload
70
Range
65
Penetration / Survivability
50
Nuclear Capability
80
Stand-Off Capability
60
Avionics
40
Stealth
20
Reliability
55
Strategic Impact
75
Cost-Effectiveness
70
Origin Russia
ManufacturerKazan Aircraft Production Association
CategoryStrategic Bombers
EraEarly Cold War
In service1954–1962
Operators10 countries
Quantity1,509
Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
62
Strategic Bombers MASS Rating
20/28
Early Cold War
49/163
All-Time
Strategic Bombers · 10 axes scored
Payload
70
Range
65
Penetration / Survivability
50
Nuclear Capability
80
Stand-Off Capability
60
Avionics
40
Stealth
20
Reliability
55
Strategic Impact
75
Cost-Effectiveness
70
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the strategic bombers category.
01 / Overview
Tupolev Tu-16
Country
Production
1954–1962
Quantity
1,509
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
STRATEGIC BOMBERS · EARLY COLD WAR
20
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
78
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
62
strategic bombers category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the strategic bombers category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
  • First Flight1952
  • Service Entry Year1954
  • Crew6
  • Primary RoleStrategic bomber
  • Generation1st generation jet bomber
  • In ServiceNo
◈Powerplant8MOD.8
▣Performance9MOD.9
  • Top Speed1,050 km/h
  • Top Speed (Mach)0.9 Mach
  • Cruise Speed850 km/h
  • Service Ceiling12,800 m
  • Ferry Range7,200 km
  • Combat Radius1,800 km
  • Rate of Climb10 m/s
  • G-Limit2.5
  • Takeoff Run1,500 m
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
  • Length34.8 m
  • Wingspan32.93 m
  • Height10.36 m
  • Wing Area165
  • Empty Weight37,200 kg
  • Loaded Weight76,000 kg
  • Max Takeoff Weight79,000 kg
◆Armament8MOD.8
⬢Production3MOD.3
  • Total Built1,509
  • Operators4
  • Variants15
▲Service History4MOD.4
  • Retirement Year1993
  • Production Start1952
  • Production End1962
  • Operational StatusLimited operational use; mostly retired from Russian service by 1993
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1954Production started
  2. 1962Production ended
  3. 1973First deployment: Yom Kippur War
72
years in service
8
years in production
1,509
units produced
9
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 1 countries retired it.
04 / Operators
Tupolev Tu-16SALES3records
YearBuyerQuantityAmountPresent Value (2025)
—Egypt———
—Iraq———
—Indonesia———
ⓘ "Present Value" is an estimated amount adjusted for inflation.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE5terms
Air-to-Ground Missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to attack ground targets. They enable aircraft to engage and destroy enemy ground positions, vehicles, and installations.
Anti-ship missiles are guided missiles designed to engage and destroy naval vessels. They are typically used by aircraft, ships, or submarines to attack enemy ships.
A collection of integrated electronic systems on a military aircraft designed to detect, identify, disrupt, or deceive enemy radar, communications, and guided weapons.
An internal compartment within a military aircraft designed to store and deploy weapons, reducing radar cross-section and aerodynamic drag.
Relating to or using nuclear energy, typically fission, for propulsion or power generation in military vessels.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Strategic Bombers entry →