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Tupolev Tu-160
Photo: Alex Beltyukov · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
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TupolevTu-160

Strategic Bombers · Russia · 1987
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TupolevTu-160

Tupolev Tu-160
Tupolev Tu-160 Photo: Alex Beltyukov · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Payload
95
Range
90
Penetration / Survivability
75
Nuclear Capability
95
Stand-Off Capability
85
Avionics
70
Stealth
30
Reliability
60
Strategic Impact
90
Cost-Effectiveness
40
Origin Russia
ManufacturerTupolev
CategoryStrategic Bombers
EraCold War
In service1987
Operators2 countries
Quantity41
Data Quality86%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
81
Strategic Bombers MASS Rating
3/8
Cold War
9/163
All-Time
Strategic Bombers · 10 axes scored
Payload
95
Range
90
Penetration / Survivability
75
Nuclear Capability
95
Stand-Off Capability
85
Avionics
70
Stealth
30
Reliability
60
Strategic Impact
90
Cost-Effectiveness
40
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the strategic bombers category.
01 / Overview
Tupolev Tu-160
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1987–
Quantity
41
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
STRATEGIC BOMBERS · COLD WAR
3
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
35
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
81
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 Flight1981
  • Service Entry Year1987
  • Crew4
  • Primary Rolestrategic bomber and airborne missile platform
  • Generation4th
  • In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant10MOD.10
  • Engine TypeSamara NK-321
  • Engine ModelNK-32
  • Number of Engines4
  • Thrust (dry, each)137
  • Thrust (afterburner, each)245
  • Thrust-to-Weight0.37
  • AfterburnerYes
  • SupercruiseNo
  • Thrust VectoringNo
  • Internal Fuel171,000 kg
▣Performance10MOD.10
  • Top Speed2,220 km/h
  • Top Speed (Mach)2.05 Mach
  • Cruise Speed960 km/h
  • Stall Speed140 km/h
  • Service Ceiling16,000 m
  • Ferry Range12,300 km
  • Combat Radius7,300 km
  • Rate of Climb70 m/s
  • G-Limit2.5
  • Takeoff Run2,200 m
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
  • Length54.1 m
  • Wingspan56 m
  • Height13.1 m
  • Wing Area360
  • Empty Weight110,000 kg
  • Loaded Weight267,600 kg
  • Max Takeoff Weight315,000 kg
◆Armament8MOD.8
▤Avionics & Stealth8MOD.8
⬢Production3MOD.3
  • Total Built41
  • Operators1
  • Variants10
▲Service History2MOD.2
  • Production Start1984
  • Operational Statusactive
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1987Production started
  2. 1998Sale: Ukraine (8 units) · $285 M
  3. 1999Sale: Russia (1 units)
  4. 2010First deployment: Arab Spring
39
years in service
41
units produced
2
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Conflicts
TUPOLEV TU-160 · CONFLICTS SERVED IN0% win
Total Conflicts
1
Victories
0
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
Operator Countries2country
Tupolev Tu-160SALES2records
YearBuyerQuantityAmountPresent Value (2025)
1999Russia1——
1998Ukraine8$285.0 M$562.9 M
ⓘ "Present Value" is an estimated amount adjusted for inflation.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE8terms
An afterburner is a device that injects fuel into a jet engine's hot exhaust gases, generating additional thrust through combustion.
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.
Infrared Search and Track (IRST) is a passive sensor system that detects and tracks airborne targets by their heat signatures without emitting radiation.
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.
Enables real-time sharing of position, targeting, and sensor data among aircraft and platforms for coordinated combat operations.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Strategic Bombers entry →