8 photos of the Tu-160M2, the new long-range super bomber that Russia just unveiled

Russia unveiled its new Tu-160M2 Blackjack long-range super bomber on Thursday — an upgrade to the Tu-160M and original Tu-160, according to The Drive.

"While ostensibly an improved variant of the Soviet-era Tu-160, the Tu-160M2 is a new bomber in all but name," Russian media said, according to The Aviationist.

The new Blackjack is expected to make its maiden flight in 2018 and go into mass production in 2021.

Its full capabilities are therefore still unknown — but here's what we know so far:

SEE ALSO: 13 photos of the Su-57, Russia's first stealth fighter that can outmaneuver the F-22 Raptor

Russia unveiled the new Tu-160M2 White Swan — codenamed Blackjack by NATO — on Thursday.

Source: airforce-technology.com, The Drive

 

It's an upgrade to the Tu-160M, which entered Russian service in 2014.

The original Tu-160 first entered Soviet service in 1987.

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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