Warplanes of Russia: Tupolev Tu-95 Bear

Tupolev Tu-95 Bear

(Andrei Shmatko Photo)

Tupolev Tu-95S Kaluga, 18 Nov 2020.

The Tupolev Tu-95 (Russian: Туполев Ту-95; NATO reporting name: "Bear") is a large, four-engine turboprop-powered strategic bomber and missile platform. First flown in 1952, the Tu-95 entered service with the Long-Range Aviation of the Soviet Air Forces in 1956 and was first used in combat in 2015. It is expected to serve the Russian Aerospace Forces until at least 2040.A development of the bomber for maritime patrol is designated the Tu-142, while a passenger airliner derivative was called the Tu-114.The aircraft has four Kuznetsov NK-12 engines with contra-rotating propellers. It is the only propeller-powered strategic bomber still in operational use today. The Tu-95 is one of the loudest military aircraft, particularly because the tips of the propeller blades move faster than the speed of sound.[1] Its distinctive swept-back wings are set at an angle of 35°. The Tu-95 is the only propeller-driven aircraft with swept wings built in large numbers. (Wikipedia)

(RAF Photo)

Tupolev Tu-95MS Bear-H, 1 Aug 2008.

(Marina Lystsava Photo)

Tupolev TU-95MS, No. 28 Red, Engels AFB, Russia, 2006.

(Soviet Air Force Photo)

Tupolev Tu-95 Bear, showing its swept wing and anti-shock bodies, May 1974.

(USAF Photo)

McDonnell Douglas CF-188A Hornet from Cold Lake, Alberta, intercepting a Russian Tupolev Tu-95 Bear long-range bomber on 5 Sep 2007.   The pilot was Captain Riel Erickson, who was the first female fighter pilot to intercept a Bear.

(DND Photo via Real Levasseur)

McDonnell Douglas CF-188A Hornet from 425 Alouette Squadron intercepting a Russian Tupolev Tu-95 Bear long-range bomber transiting to Cuba in International airspace close to Canada's border in 1988.

(USAF Photo)

McDonnell Douglas CF-188A Hornet intercepting a Russian Tupolev Tu-95 Bear long-range bomber off the Canadian coastline.

(NORAD Photo)

McDonnell CF-101 Voodoo (Serial No. 101038), No. 425 "Alouette" Squadron from CFB Bagotville, intercepting a Soviet Union Tupolev Tu-95 Bear bomber flying near the buffer zone that NORAD monitors around North America.

(RAF Photo)

English Electric Lightning intercepting a Russian Tupolev Tu-95 Bear.

(USAF Photo)

An air-to-air left side view of three Fighter Squadron 143 (VF-143) F-14A Tomcat aircraft as they intercept and escort a Soviet Tu-95 Bear reconnaissance aircraft, 1 Oct 1982.

(Sergey Kustov Photo)

Tupolev Tu-95 Bear.

(RAF/MOD Photo)

A Russian Tu-95 Bear 'H' photographed from a RAF Typhoon Quick Reaction Alert aircraft (QRA) with 6 Squadron from RAF Leuchars in Scotland.