Tupolev Tu-160 is a supersonic strategic missile-carrying bomber designed for flights at high and low altitudes with variable wing geometry. The flight of the prototype took place in 1981, and serial production began in 1987. This is an all-metal four-engine low-plane, classic layout, with wings of variable geometry. The Tu-160 aircraft is equipped with a highly developed pilot, navigation and radio technical system, including a specially developed weapon control complex. In addition to conventional electromechanical indicators, the system uses a set of electronic indicators. The system consists of more than 100 integrated digital machines of various capacities. The sighting and navigation system is designed to detect and identify ground and surface targets at long distances and guide means intended for their destruction, as well as for accurate orientation in long flights. The maximum weight of Tu-160 weapons is 40,000 kg. The main weapon is strategic cruise missiles with a programmed route, which can carry nuclear warheads. Armament is carried in two hull compartments: front and rear. The length of the cameras is 11.28 m, the width is 1.92 m. In the basic version, the aircraft carries 12 H-55MS (RKW500B) missiles with folded wings, suspended on a multi-position catapult of the MKU-6 drum type. Each chamber houses one apparatus with six missiles, only one of which is in the starting position. Programming of the missile flight path and control of the firing process is carried out by the on-board weapon control complex. N-55MS cruise missiles have a length of 8.09 m, a take-off weight of 1700 kg and a flight range of 3000 km. their tail and wings assume a normal position after launch from the launcher. Then the rocket engine is started. The H-55MS missiles were supposed to be replaced by new-generation supersonic missiles designated AS-X-19, but work on them was recently stopped. The second planned weapon option is short-range H-15 (AS-16) guided missiles designed to defeat enemy air defenses, which were supposed to be placed on each launcher in the amount of 6 (12) pieces. The aircraft with this weapon option was supposed to approach the target at a very low altitude using an obstacle avoidance system. The Tu-160 can also be equipped with mixed versions of missile weapons and a high-power nuclear bomb. In practice, the Tu-160 flies only with H-55 MS missiles - other options remain only in the field of projects.
