Recently, tensions between Russia and the United States have continued to escalate, and the two military powers have been locked in an arms race. This tension is reflected in the frequent appearance of strategic bombers from both sides in the world view.
Russia's Tu-160 strategic bomber is one of the most advanced bombers currently equipped in Russia. At the same time, the U.S. B-1B strategic bomber lagged behind the Tu-160 in some respects. A U.S. military expert made a detailed comparison between the two aircraft and concluded that the B-1B was at a disadvantage. The Tu-160, the ultimate bomber of the Soviet era, still occupies an important place today. It is known for its elegant and smooth shape, so it is also nicknamed the "White Swan". However, this graceful appearance cannot hide its essence as the most lethal offensive weapon in human history. The Tu-160 can carry a long-range cruise missile with 12 nuclear warheads and can accurately destroy targets located up to 10,000 kilometers away. One of the reasons the Tu-160 was painted white was to reduce damage to the body caused by radiation during the nuclear explosion.
The Tu-160 strategic bomber has an impressive scale, with a length of 54 meters, a wingspan of 55 meters, an empty weight of 110 tons, and a maximum take-off weight of 275 tons. Compared with conventional civil aircraft, such as the Boeing 737, its maximum take-off weight is only about 80 tons, which is equivalent to one-third of the Tu-160. In addition, the Tu-160 is equipped with the world's most powerful military aircraft engine. The Tu-160 uses the world's largest variable sweep wing structure, which automatically adjusts the wing sweep angle according to the altitude and speed of the flight to achieve the best aerodynamic performance in all flight conditions. This wing structure resembles a giant that can change shape as needed.
For example, during takeoff, the wings are fully extended to obtain the maximum lift coefficient, thereby reducing the running distance. And when the aircraft is in subsonic cruising, the wings sweep back appropriately to reduce fuel consumption and increase flight range. And when flying at supersonic speeds, the wing is fully swept back, reducing flight drag. Combined with powerful engine thrust, the Tu-160 is capable of reaching twice the speed of sound while flying through the air, which helps break through enemy defenses and evade tracking from enemy aircraft.
As a strategic weapon with strong deterrent power, the Tu-160 is quite expensive to produce and use. As of 2017, the Russian Aerospace Forces have only 16 Tu-160 strategic bombers, but they are enough to pose a great deterrent to the enemy. As a result, the Tu-160 has been hailed as the pinnacle of Russia's "aesthetics of violence."