Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the strategic bombers category.
01 / Overview
Tupolev Tu-16
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1954–1962
Quantity
1,509
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
STRATEGIC BOMBERS · EARLY COLD WAR
20
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
78
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ 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
- Engine TypeMikulin AM-3 M-500
- Engine ModelMikulin AM-3
- Number of Engines2
- Thrust (dry, each)85.7
- AfterburnerNo
- SupercruiseNo
- Thrust VectoringNo
- Internal Fuel43,000 kg
▣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
- Hardpoints0
- Weapons Payload9,000 kg
- Internal Gun6–7 × 23 mm Afanasev Makarov AM-23 cannons, two each in dorsal and ventral remote turrets and manned tail turret, with t
- Internal Weapons BayYes
- Air-to-Air MissilesNo
- Air-to-Ground MissilesYes
- Anti-Ship MissilesYes
- Nuclear CapableYes
▤Avionics & Stealth8MOD.8
- RadarRBP-4 Rubicon bombing radar
- AESA RadarNo
- Stealth / Low ObservableNo
- IRSTNo
- Electronic Warfare SuiteYes
- Helmet-Mounted SightNo
- Tactical DatalinkNo
- Targeting PodNo
⬢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
- 1954Production started
- 1962Production ended
- 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
Operator Countries10country
Tupolev Tu-16SALES3records
ⓘ "Present Value" is an estimated amount adjusted for inflation.
05 / MASS Score
STRATEGIC BOMBERS RANKING Strategic Bombers · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
49STRATEGIC BOMBERS20EARLY COLD WAR · STRATEGIC BOMBERS680RUSSIA · ALL WEAPONS23PERFORMANCE/PRICE · STRATEGIC BOMBERS
ⓘ Rankings are within theStrategic Bomberscategory.
📖 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