Tu-95 Bear Pic GalleryPlanned as a nuclear bomber to attack targets in the USA, the first Tu-95 prototype took to the air in 1952 for operational service in 1956. The Tu-95 is in many respects an unlikely aircraft. It is an heavy bomber with a slender fuselage, swept wings, and four extremely powerful turboprop engines driving contrarotating propellers. Originally an intercontinental bomber (Bear-A) armed with freefall nuclear bombs. The Tu-95K Bear-B carried the Kh-20 stand-off missile, and Tu-95KM Bear-C the Kh-20M. The Tu-95RT Bear-D was a maritile reconnaissance version, and the Tu-95MR Bear-E a reconnaissance aircraft. The Tu-95K-22 Bear-G was armed with the conventional K-22 anti-ship missile. The redesigned Tu-142 (Bear-F and Bear-J) was a dedicated maritime patrol aircraft. The new airframe was also used by the Tu-95MS Bear-H cruise missile carrier. More than 30 years after its first appearance, the Tu-95 was still in production, in its maritime patrol version - the Tu-142.

Type: Tu-95 Bear-A
Function: bomber
Year: 1955
Crew: 9
Wing Span: 50.04m
Length: 46.17m
Height: 12.12m
Wing Area: 283.7m2
Empty Weight: 73230kg
Max. Weight: 156080kg
Engines: 4 * 12000hp Kuznetsov NK-12
Speed: 890km/h
Ceiling: 11800m
Range: 12100km
Armament: Six 23mm cannons, 10890kg additional armament including freefall nuclear bombs

Type: Tu-95KM 'Bear-C'
Function: bomber
Year: 1961
Crew: 9
Wing Span: 50.04m
Length: 48.7m
Height: 12.12m
Wing Area: 283.7m2
Empty Weight: 79400kg
Max. Weight: 165150kg
Engines: 4 * 14795hp Kuznetsov NK-12MV
Speed: 860km/h
Ceiling: 11600m
Range: 12550km
Armament: Six 23mm cannons, 20410kg additional armament including Kh-20M Nuclear missile

Type: Tu-95MS Bear-H
Function: bomber
Year: 1979
Crew: 7
Wing Span: 50.04m
Length: 49.13m
Height: 12.12m
Wing Area: 289.9m2
Empty Weight: 81670kg
Max. Weight: 167880kg
Engines: 4 * 14795hp Kuznetsov NK-12MP
Speed: 830km/h
Ceiling: 10500m
Range: N/A
Armament: Six 23mm cannons, six cruise missiles

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