Russia’s Tu-95: Putin’s Own B-52 Bomber
Key Points – Russia’s Tu-95 Bear, a Cold War-era strategic bomber, remains a cornerstone of Moscow’s nuclear and conventional strike capabilities. First flown in 1952, this turboprop-powered aircraft has been heavily modernized to carry advanced cruise missiles, including nuclear-armed variants like the AS-15 Kent.
Tu-95MS. Computer generated image. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
-The Tu-95 frequently tests U.S. and NATO air defenses, particularly near Alaska and the UK. Despite being loud and lacking stealth, its long range and payload capacity make it a formidable missile platform.
-As Russia integrates hypersonic weapons, the Bear will likely continue its role as a strategic deterrent and missile carrier well into the 2040s.
Why Russia’s Tu-95 Bear Is Still a Threat After 70 Years
Russia has its own version of the B-52 that keeps on ticking. The Tu-95 has turboprops instead of jet engines, which is even more antiquated than the Stratofortress. The bomber can carry nuclear weapons and conventional munitions.
Nicknamed the “Bear,” it has been in the skies since its first flight in 1952. The Russians produced the Tu-95 until 1993. Over 500 have been made, and many are still in use today. The Russian Air Force wants to fly the Bear until the 2040s.
The Bear has been the kind of platform that is easily updated. The airplane has an ultra-long range and simplicity of design. Turboprop engines have fewer maintenance headaches. They are also easier on fuel than jet engines.
The Tu-95 Bear Will Rear Its Ugly Head Near the United States
The Tu-95 has made a living from encroaching on US air space. The Bear is often spotted flying near Alaska, which happened repeatedly during the Cold War. In fact, it is still happening today. Two Tu-95s and Su-35 Flanker-E fighter escorts were intercepted in two consecutive days this month. North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said it sniffed out and tracked the Russian airplanes flying near Alaska’s Air Defense Identification Zone. Two US Air Force F-35As intercepted the Tu-95 and its mates.
This Thing Could Bring Doom During a Nuclear Attack
As you can see, the Bear has the range to reach the United States. Russia is always interested in showing Americans that the Kremlin could order a nuclear strike at any time against North America.
The Tu-95 could also launch conventional missiles at military bases in Alaska. The British also had to deal with Tu-95 encroachments, as the Bear often flew similar missions near Scotland.
The Tu-95’s maximum takeoff weight is an awe-inspiring 414,000 pounds. It takes powerful engines to stay in the air at that weight. There are four Kuznetsov turboprop engines fastened with a pair of contra-rotating four-blade propellors. The Soviets found that these powerplants could last for decades with minimal repair. The Tu-95 could then stay in the air for many hours without refueling.
What Is Tsar Bomba?
The Bear is famous for carrying historical amounts of ordnance over the decades. It once deployed the largest thermonuclear bomb of the era. An atomic weapon called “Tsar Bomba” that the Bear carried in 1961 was notable.
The Tu-95 later carried two kiloton and 200-kiloton nuclear devices that would have pulverized America. It wasn’t easy loading the nuclear bombs onto a Bear. This was a painstakingly slow process.
Russian Bomber. Image: Creative Commons.
Therefore, the Tu-95 was not much of a rapid responder in the event of a second nuclear strike. It was intended for Day One of warfare.
Now, the weapon of the day for the Bear is the cruise missile. There is that substantial 33,000-pound payload after all. Cruise missiles that can be launched include the Kh-20, Kh-22, and Kh-55/101/102 models.
The Nuclear Weapons Get Better as the Tu-95 Is Updated
As you would expect, the Tu-95 has been upgraded mightily over the years—mainly with new electronics and avionics that allow for the launch of better cruise missiles. The Bear can now carry the AS-15 Kent cruise missile. The Kent warhead is ten times more powerful than the bombs dropped on Japan during World War Two.
The Tu-95 engine power and noise make it discoverable even by submarines. It is not going to surprise adversaries. It’s definitely not stealthy, and it only flies at about 575 miles per hour. But the range is great, especially since the Bear can be refueled in the air.
So, the Russians use the airplane as a stand-off platform that works like a missile truck. During the war against Ukraine, the Bear stayed in Russian air space and fired its conventionally-armed cruise missiles at military and civilian targets.
A Russian Tu-95 Bear ‘H’ photographed from a RAF Typhoon Quick Reaction Alert aircraft (QRA) with 6 Squadron from RAF Leuchars in Scotland. RAF Typhoon Quick Reaction Alert aircraft were launched from RAF Leuchars to determine the identity of unknown aircraft that approached the NATO Air Policing Area north of Scotland and could not be identified by other means. The aircraft were subsequently identified as Russian military reconnaissance (Bears). The Russian Bears aircraft remained in international airspace as they are perfectly entitled to do. Organization: RAF Object Name: LEU-OFFICIAL-20140423-0326-0015 Category: MOD Supplemental Categories: Equipment, Aircraft, Foreign Aircraft Keywords: QRA, Russia, Russian, Bear, Aircraft, Quick Reaction Alert, Intercept Country: Scotland
Could It Spy on the United States?
Another mission the Bear can carry out is for electronic surveillance. Since it can loiter for so long, it is perfect for listening in on adversaries. The Tu-95 often tried to spy on US Navy carrier operations during the 1960s. So, American flat-tops had to be ready during the Cold War to react at any time the Tu-95 tried to sneak close to a strike group. The Navy would even have fighter jets sitting for hours on the catapults to go “Bear hunting” if one was spotted on radar.
The Tail Gunner Is Even Working
Another interesting aspect of the Tu-95 is that it has a tail gunner position for self-defense. The Russian Air Force released a video of the tail gun firing its 23mm cannons in 2021. This was a curious action by the Russians since they rarely allow the public’s prying eyes to see how Bears operate.
The Tu-95 will continue to serve as a missile-launching platform. The engines are easy to care for, and like the B-52, the Russians continue to improve. It is also great for carrying cruise missiles.
Image: Creative Commons.
As hypersonic weapons become more ubiquitous in the Russian military, the Bear will probably be launching more of the MACH 5-plus projectiles that are so dangerous.
Meanwhile, the Tu-95 will keep flying in Alaska’s ADIZ so the crew can look at the American fighters that intercept it. Bear sightings will not be rare.
About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood
Brent M. Eastwood, PhD is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for US Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former US Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.
