MOSCOW, August 7. /TASS/. Russia’s first heavily upgraded Tupolev Tu-22M3M strategic missile-carrying bomber has been outfitted with new radio-electronic equipment, Tupolev Aircraft Company CEO Alexander Konyukhov told TASS on Tuesday.
"As a result of deep modernization, we have actually got a new plane, Tu-22M3M. It features absolutely new onboard radio-electronic equipment," the chief executive said.
"As another result of the work carried out on the plane, its service life will be extended to 45-50 years," he said.
The Kazan Aviation Enterprise told TASS that the entire new avionics suite, the sight and navigation system and other onboard equipment of the modernized Tu-22M3M bomber had been standardized with the similar systems of the Tu-160 aircraft in its Tu-160M version.
Russia to roll out upgraded strategic missile-carrying bomber on August 16
The Tupolev Aircraft Company announced on Tuesday it would roll out the upgraded Tu-22M3M strategic bomber in Kazan on August 16.
"On August 16, we are rolling out the Tu-22M3M," the press office said.
The ceremony of rolling out the modernized strategic bomber will be held on the territory of the Kazan Aviation Enterprise.
Russia’s upgraded strategic bomber to perform debut flight in September
Russia’s heavily upgraded Tupolev Tu-22M3M long-range missile-carrying bomber will perform its first demonstration flight in September, Tupolev Aircraft Company CEO Konyukhov told TASS on Tuesday.
"In September, the plane will perform its debut flight as part of factory trials, following which it will enter state joint trials that will last several months," the chief executive said.
Following the results of the state joint trials, Russia’s Defense Ministry will make a decision on the deep modernization of the first batch of operational Tu-22M3 aircraft.
The Tu-22M3M is a modernized version of the Tu-22M3 long-range supersonic missile-carrying bomber with the variable-sweep wing. During its upgrade, the bombers will get new avionics and a possibility to use new missiles.
As was reported earlier, 30 aircraft will be upgraded to the level of the Tu-22M3M.
