Tupolev Tu-16

The Tupolev Tu-16 (USAF/DOD reporting name Type 39;<ref>Jane's All the World's Aircraft p. 188</ref> NATO reporting name: Badger)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> is a twin-engined jet strategic heavy bomber used by the Soviet Union. It has been flown for almost 70 years. While many aircraft in Soviet service were retired after the Cold War ended, a Chinese license-built version, the Xi'an H-6, remains in service with the People's Liberation Army Air Force, with the most modern variant, the H-6K, still being actively produced Template:As of.<ref name="buying_bombers">Template:Cite web</ref>

Development

Tu-16 bomber at the Monino Museum (1998)

In the late 1940s, the Soviet Union was strongly committed to matching the United States in strategic bombing capability. The Soviets' only long-range bomber at the time was Tupolev's Tu-4 "Bull", a reverse-engineered copy of the American B-29 Superfortress. The development of the notably powerful Mikulin AM-3 turbojet led to the possibility of a large, jet-powered bomber.

The Tupolev design bureau began work on the Tu-88 ("Aircraft N") prototypes in 1950. The Tu-88 first flew on 27 April 1952. After winning a competition against the Ilyushin Il-46, it was approved for production in December 1952. The first production bombers entered service with Frontal Aviation in 1954, receiving the service designation Tu-16. It received the NATO reporting name Badger-A.

Rear side view of a Tu-16 Badger reconnaissance variant (most likely a Tu-16R) c.1989

It had a new, large swept wing and two large Mikulin AM-3 turbojets, one in each wing root. It could carry a single massive FAB-9000 Template:Cvt bomb (the Russian equivalent in terms of size of the British Grand Slam, but a conventional bomb rather than a deep ground penetrator) or various nuclear weapons for a range of around Template:Cvt. Production took place in three aviation plants, Kazan Aircraft Production Association, Kuybyshev, and Voronezh Aircraft Production Association.

Although the Tu-16 began as a high-altitude, free-fall bomber, in the mid-1950s, it was equipped to carry early Soviet cruise missiles. The Tu-16KS-1 (Badger-B) version could carry AS-1 missiles over a combat radius of Template:Cvt. These very large weapons were aerodynamically similar to the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 fighter, fitted with either a nuclear or conventional warhead, having a range of about Template:Cvt. They were intended for use primarily against US Navy aircraft carriers and other large surface ships. Subsequent Tu-16s were converted to carry later, more advanced missiles, while their designations changed several times.

Egyptian Tu-16s c.1980

A versatile design, the Tu-16 was built in numerous specialized variants for aerial reconnaissance, maritime surveillance, electronic intelligence gathering (ELINT), and electronic warfare (ECM). In total, 1,507 aircraft were constructed in three plants in the Soviet Union, in 1954–1962. A civilian adaptation, the Tupolev Tu-104, saw passenger service with Aeroflot. The Tu-16 was also exported to Indonesia, Egypt, and Iraq. It continued to be used by the Air Forces and naval aviation of the Soviet Union and subsequently Russia, until 1993.

Delivery of the Tu-16 to China began in 1958, and the Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation license-produced the aircraft under the Chinese designation Xian H-6. At least 120 of these aircraft remain in service. On 14 May 1965, one of the PLAAF Tu-16 bombers carried out the first airborne nuclear weapon test inside China.<ref name="AirForceWorld.com_Tu-16_bomber_nuclear_test_China">Template:Cite web</ref>

Variants

An F-8H Crusader of VF-13 escorts an Egyptian Tupolev Tu-16 in May 1969

Tu-16 Badger G with KSR-5 missile

Tu-16K-10-26 Badger C

Tu-16K-26 or Tu-16KSR-2-11-16, with KSR-5 missiles under wings (1998)

Among the main production variants of the Badger were the Tu-16 and Tu-16A bombers and Tu-16KS and Tu-16K-10 missile carriers, Tu-16SPS, "Elka", and Tu-16Ye ECM aircraft, Tu-16R reconnaissance aircraft, and Tu-16T torpedo bombers; others were produced from conversions. Individual aircraft could be modified several times, with designations changed, especially concerning missile-carrying aircraft.

• "Aircraft 88" – Initial prototype.
• "Aircraft 97" – Twin-engined long-range bomber development project of Tu-16 with two RD-5 engines.
• "Aircraft 103" – Supersonic bomber development project of Tu-16 with four VD-7 AM-13 engines.
• Badger A (Tu-16) – This is the basic configuration of the Tu-16 bomber deployed in 1954 to replace the Tu-4. Several modified models of this variant existed, all of which were known as Badger A in the West.
  • Tu-16A – Modified Tu-16s designed to carry nuclear bombs, one of main versions, with 453 built. Many of these were subsequently converted into other variants.
  • Tu-16Z – An early specialized version of the Tu-16 that served as airborne tankers (a refuelling method: wing-to-wing), though retaining their medium bomber role.
  • Tu-16G (Tu-104G) – Fast air mail model, Aeroflot aircrew training version.
  • Tu-16N – A dedicated tanker version for Tu-22/Tu-22M bombers, with probe and drogue system. Entered service in 1963. Similar aircraft Tu-16NN converted from Tu-16Z.
  • Tu-16T – Limited production maritime strike version (torpedo bomber), that served in the Soviet Naval Aviation, and carried torpedoes, mines and depth charges. 76 built and some more converted. All units subsequently converted into Tu-16S configuration.
  • Tu-16S – A lifeboat carrier version used for search and rescue operations.
  • Tu-16Ye – These were equipped with heavy electronic warfare and electronic intelligence (ELINT) equipment.
• Badger B (Tu-16KS) – Variant designed as a launch platform for two AS-1 Kennel/KS-1 Komet missiles. 107 built in 1954–1958, served with the Soviet Naval Aviation, Egypt and Indonesia. Soviet ones later converted with newer missiles.
• Badger C (Tu-16K-10) – Another Naval Aviation variant, units of this version carried a single AS-2 Kipper/K-10S anti-ship missile. 216 built in 1958–1963. It differed from other variants in having a radar in a nose. A further development, the Tu-16K-10-26, carried a single K-10S and two KSR-2 or KSR-5 AS-6 Kingfish missiles (K-26 missile complex). Some were later converted into ELINT platforms.
• Badger D (Tu-16RM-1) – Maritime reconnaissance model with ELINT equipment; 23 converted from Tu-16K-10. It retained its radar in a nose and could guide K-10S missiles, fired from other planes, at targets.
• Badger E (Tu-16R) – Reconnaissance version of the airframe, with ELINT equipment, first of all meant for maritime reconnaissance. It could guide KS missiles.
  • Tu-16RM-2 – modified Tu-16R, serving in the Naval Aviation. It could guide KSR-2 missiles.
  • Tu-16KRM – Launch platforms for target drones (a variant of Tu-16K-26).
• Badger F (Tu-16RM-2) – Another reconnaissance version based on the −16R/RM but with the addition of external ELINT equipment.
• Badger G (Tu-16K/Tu-16KSR) – Serving in the Naval Aviation, these were conversions from earlier models. These were designed to carry bombs in internal bays in addition to carrying air-to-surface missiles externally, such as the AS-5 Kelt and AS-6 Kingfish. There existed numerous variants, designated either from carried missile complex (K-11, K-16 and K-26) or from missiles of these complexes (KSR-11, KSR-2 and KSR-5). Following further modifications, they were also given suffixes. Main variants:
  • Tu-16KSR-2 – carrying the K-16 complex (two KSR-2 missiles). Used from 1962. Similar aircraft, converted from other variants, were designated Tu-16K-16.
  • Tu-16K-11-16 – carrying the K-16 complex (KSR-2 missiles) or the K-11 complex (two anti-radar KSR-11 missiles). Used from 1962. Similar aircraft were designated Tu-16KSR-2-11. Over 440 Tu-16 could carry the K-16 or K-11 complex.
  • Tu-16K-26 – carrying the K-26 complex (two KSR-5 missiles), retaining a capability of KSR-2 and 11 missiles. Used from 1969. Similar aircraft were designated Tu-16KSR-2-5-11 or Tu-16KSR-2-5 (no KSR-11 capability). Over 240 Tu-16 could carry the K-26 complex.
  • Tu-16K-26P – carrying the K-26P missiles (two anti-radar KSR-5P missiles, as well as KSR-5, 2 or 11).
• Badger H (Tu-16 Elka) – Designed for stand-off electronic warfare and electronic counter-measures support.
• Badger J (Tu-16P Buket) – Another electronic warfare variant configured as an ECM strike escort.
• Badger K (Tu-16Ye) – Believed to be a version of the Badger F configuration possessing enhanced ELINT capability.
• Badger L (Tu-16P) – Another version of the Badger J with more modern systems and used in ELINT role.
• "Aircraft 90" – Turboprop-powered project.
• Tu-104 – Civilian airliner version.

Former operators

Template:LegendTemplate:Legend

Template:ARM

• Armenian Air Force: 30 aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union. Out of service by 1995.<ref name="WAF4">Template:Cite web</ref>

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• Azerbaijan Air Force: 10 aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union. Out of service by 1995.<ref name="WAF1">Template:Cite web</ref>

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• Belarus Air Force: 18 aircraft inherited upon the fall of the Soviet Union,<ref name="AI">Template:Cite journal</ref> out of service by 1995.<ref name="WAF2">Template:Cite web</ref>

Template:CHN

• People's Liberation Army Air Force: A few Tu-16s were acquired in 1959; the type was then built under licence as the Xian H-6.

Template:EGY

• Egyptian Air Force: Operated Tu-16KS, Tu-16T, Tu-16KSR-2-11, and Tu-16R. Also operated H-6. Last retired in 2000.<ref name="Goebel">Template:Cite web</ref> By 1966, Air Group 65, with its primary base at Cairo West Air Base, was operating three squadrons of Tu-16s: No. 34 and 36 Squadrons with bomber variants, and No. 95 Squadron equipped with the Tu-16KS' that could carry AS-1 Kennel air-to-surface missiles.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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• Georgian Air Force: 20 aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union. Out of service by 1995.<ref name="WAF3">Template:Cite web</ref>

Template:IDN

Indonesian Air Force Tu-16KS-1 at Dirgantara Mandala Museum

• Indonesian Air Force: 12 Tu-16, 12 Tu-16KS-1, and 2 Tu-16R. The first Tu-16 was delivered in 1961.<ref name="indodefense">Template:Cite web</ref> Used during the preparation of Operation Trikora in 1962 and during Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation in 1963–1966. The bomber and recon variant were operated by 41st Air Squadron, while the KS-1 was operated by 42nd Air Squadron. They were primarily based at Iswahjudi Air Force Base in Madiun, East Java.<ref name="indodefense"/> They were grounded in 1969 and removed from service in 1970.<ref name="Goebel" />

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• Iraqi Air Force: 8 Tu-16 and 6 Tu-16KSR-2-11. Also operated 4 B-6D (H-6D). One B-6D was downed during the Iran-Iraq War. Two were destroyed in Operation Desert Storm in 1991.<ref name="Goebel" />

Template:RUS

Retired from military service by 1995. A few aircraft were maintained and operated by designers and manufacturers for testing until 2001−2002, when it was finally retired<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

• Russian Air Force
• Russian Naval Aviation

Template:USSR

• Soviet Air Force (transferred to successor states)
• Soviet Naval Aviation (transferred to successor states)

Template:Flagicon image Ukraine

• Ukrainian Air Force: 121 aircraft inherited from USSR.<ref name="AI" /> All retired from service.

Notable accidents

• On 25 May 1968 a Soviet Air Force Tu-16 Badger-F piloted by Colonel Andrey Pliyev buzzed the US Navy aircraft carrier Template:USS in the Norwegian Sea.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Tu-16 made four passes, and on the last a wing clipped the sea and it crashed with no survivors. Parts of three bodies were recovered by the US.<ref>"Russ bomber falls in sea near U.S. ship May 26, 1968" Template:Webarchive Chicago Tribune Retrieved August 14, 2017</ref><ref>The Games Pilots Play Over the Mediterranean August 23, 1981 Template:Webarchive The New York Times Retrieved August 14, 2017</ref><ref>ASN Aircraft Accident 27-May-1968 Tupolev Tu-16 Badger Template:Webarchive Aviation Safety Network Retrieved August 14, 2017</ref>
• On 1 February 1971 a modified Tu-16 flying laboratory crashed during testing of a new jet engine, resulting in the death of the entire crew, including test pilot Amet-khan Sultan.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
• On 28 August 1978 an early model Tu-16 crashed on Hopen island in Svalbard, Norway. All seven crew were killed in the accident. It was discovered by a four-man Norwegian weather forecasting team. The Soviets refused to admit the loss of an aircraft until the bodies of the crew were given to them. Norway transcribed the contents of the flight recorder over the objections of the Soviet government.<ref>"Soviet Union Military Plane Crashes in Norway", Facts On File World News Digest, October 27, 1978 Template:Webarchive Retrieved August 15, 2017</ref><ref>Svalbard Arctic out post at strategic crossroads September 9, 1980 Template:Webarchive The Christian Science Monitor Retrieved August 15, 2017</ref><ref>Umbreit, Andreas Bradt Svalbard: Spitzbergen with Frank Josef Land & Jan Mayen page 132 Template:Webarchive Retrieved August 15, 2017</ref>
• On 27 June 1980 a Soviet Air Force Tu-16 Badger on a Tokyo Express flight crashed near Komatsu Air Base in Ishikawa Prefecture in the Sea of Japan. There were no survivors. The remains of three crew members were recovered by the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force ship Nemuro.

Specifications (Tu-16)

Orthographic projection of the Tupolev Tu-16.

References

Bibliography

• Template:Cite magazine
• Template:Cite journal
• Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces,edited by Pavel Podvig, The MIT Press, 2001.
• Soviet Military Power: 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988
• Ту-16. Ракетно-бомбовый ударный комплекс Советских ВВС, Voyna v Vozduhye series no 26
• EDISI KOLEKSI ANGKASA, RUDAL UDARA TRACKED AND DESTROYED, Edition of September 2006.

External links

• FAS on the Tu-16
• Xian H-6 Badger
• H-6 Medium Bomber
• http://airwar.ru/ – Ugolok Neba (Russian language)
• H-6H and H-6K Cruise Missile Bomber, AirForceWorld.com