Description:
Tupolev Tu-95 is a turboprop strategic bomber, dubbed Bear by NATO, developed by the Soviet Union to hit target deep inside the United States soil. Powered by four NK-12 turboprop engines rated at approx. 12,000 to 15,000-shp each Tu-95 features longer range and slightly lower cruise speed than turbojet powered bomber of its time. The engines drive eight blade counter rotating propellers which are more efficient than traditional propellers. Overall, Tu-95 can cruise at speeds over Mach 0.8.
For additional protection against airborne threats, several radar controlled 23mm AM-23 guns were mounted on the Tu-95 fuselage. Tu-95s were operated by both Russia and Ukraine. India was the only export customer for Tu-142 aircraft taking delivery of the first aircraft in 1988.
Tu-95M was the original model introduced in 1957. Tu-95U was a crew trainer; Tu-95K introduced a nose mounted radar; Tu-95KD incorporated an in-flight refueling probe; Tu-95MR and Tu-95RT were developed to conduct reconnaissance flights. Tu-142 is a maritime patrol aircraft derived from the Tu-95 bomber. Several designations reflect compatibility with different weapons such as cruise missiles.
Tu-95MS is the final bomber variant produced from 1983 and based on Tu-142's airframe. Tu-95MS was designed specifically to carry the Kh-55 cruise missile. Tu-95MS6 and MS16 designations refer to different weapons load configurations. Currently, Tu-95MS is the only variant in active service with the Russian Air Force. Some reports that Tu-95 could be armed with a new cruise missile in the upcoming years. Existing Tu-95s are expected to be phased out from the Russian Federation Air Force by 2025.
Specifications Accommodation: Crew 8
Guns: Main Gun Caliber 23 mm
Dimensions: Height 12.5 m, Length 47 m, Wingspan 50 m
Weights: Max Weight 180 t, Min Weight 70,000 kg (154,321 lb), Payload 20,000 kg (44,092 lb)
Performance: Ceiling 12,000 m (39,370 ft), Cruise Speed 121 mps (436 kph), Endurance 25 hours, Max Range 13,000 km (7,019 nm), Top Speed 257 mps (Mach 0.77)
As of April 2006, approximately only 64 Tu-95s are designated by the Russian Federation as strategic bombers entitled to release weapons armed with nuclear warheads.
As of
Holdings
2008
40
Ukraine
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Notes (*) lead contractor
IOC: Initial Operating Capability
FOC: Full Operating Capability
CEP: Circular Error Probable
Comm: Commissioning Date
Meters (m) Kilometers (km) Nautic Miles (nm) Inch (in) Yard (yd) Foot (ft) Millimeter (mm)
Pound (lb) Kilogram (kg) kN (KiloNewton) Ton (t)
Meters per Second (mps) Kilometers per Hour (kph) Knot (kt) Miles per Hour (mph)
Liter (l) Galon (gl)
Year (yr) Minutes (min) Second (sec)
Shaft-Horse-Power (shp)
India / 8 
Russia / 64 
As of April 2006, approximately only 64 Tu-95s are designated by the Russian Federation as strategic bombers entitled to release weapons armed with nuclear warheads.
Ukraine