Aircraft & UAVs

Tu-160

The Tupolev Tu-160 is a Soviet-designed variable-geometry strategic bomber and long-range cruise-missile carrier. Known to NATO as Blackjack and nicknamed White Swan, it remains Russia's heaviest combat aircraft and has documented missile-launch use in Syria and Ukraine.

Russia-Ukraine WarRussia Syrian Civil WarSyrian government and allies

Tu-160, Strategic supersonic bomber and cruise-missile carrier, Aircraft & UAVs

Image source: Tupolev Tu-160 overflying Moscow fix.jpg

Carried Munitions

Open sources tie the Tu-160 to long-range cruise missiles carried internally in its rotary launchers.

Carried item

Item type

Carriage evidence

Kh-55/Kh-555, Air-launched subsonic cruise missile family, Munitions

Air-launched cruise missile family

UNITED24 Media reproduced a Defense Express caption describing Tu-160s carrying Kh-55/555 missiles in internal rotary launchers at Engels Air Base.

Sources: Russia Forced to Deploy Rare Tu-160 Bombers Amid Tu-95 Losses in Operation Spider Web

Kh-101, Air-launched cruise missile, Artillery

Air-launched cruise missile

Aviation International News reported a Kh-101 separating from a Tu-160 bomber during Russia's November 2015 strikes in Syria.

Sources: Latest Russian Strikes on Syria Employ New Cruise Missile

Profile

Origin: Soviet Union
Built by: Tupolev
Built in: Soviet UnionRussia
Type: Strategic supersonic bomber and cruise-missile carrier
Service note: Cold War design; modernized Russian service
Designer: Tupolev Design Bureau
Designed: Early 1970s
Produced: 1984-1992
Number built: 36 by the early 2000s
Variants: Tu-160M

Also Known As

Blackjack
White Swan

strategic bomber bomber cruise missile long-range strike

Specifications

Crew: 4
Powerplant: 4 x Kuznetsov NK-32 turbofans, 245 kN each
Wingspan: 55.7 m
Length: 54.1 m
Height: 13.1 m
Maximum takeoff weight: 275,000 kg
Cruise speed: 518 kt / Mach 0.90

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Entered Soviet service in 1987; Tu-160M modernization continues in Russian long-range aviation.
Used by: Russian Aerospace Forces, Soviet Air Forces
Wars: Russia-Ukraine War, Syrian Civil War

Conflict Usage

Side: Russia
Role: Long-range cruise-missile strike

UNITED24 Media reported that Russian Tu-160 bombers launched 36 Kh-101 cruise missiles against targets across Ukraine on June 6, 2025.

Side: Syrian government and allies
Role: Long-range cruise-missile strike

Aviation International News reported a Kh-101 separating from a Tu-160 bomber during Russia's November 2015 strikes in Syria.

Tu-160 Images

Tu-160, Strategic supersonic bomber and cruise-missile carrier, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1 — Source: Tupolev Tu-160 RF-94109.jpg

Tu-160, Strategic supersonic bomber and cruise-missile carrier, Aircraft & UAVs - view 2 — Source: Tupolev Tu-160 3-view graphic.svg

Related Weapon Systems

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Tu-22M, Long-range supersonic bomber and missile carrier, Aircraft & UAVs

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Kh-55/Kh-555, Air-launched subsonic cruise missile family, Munitions

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Sources

Tu-160Publisher: United Aircraft Corporation | Note: Supports manufacturer background, design history, service entry, production total, and Tu-160M modernization context. | Accessed: 2026-06-26 Tu-160 technical dataPublisher: SKYbrary Aviation Safety | Note: Supports general technical data including the bomber role, dimensions, powerplant, cruise speed, maximum takeoff weight, and stand-off missile-platform description. | Accessed: 2026-06-26 Latest Russian Strikes on Syria Employ New Cruise MissilePublisher: Aviation International News | Note: Supports Syrian Civil War direct use by reporting a Kh-101 separating from a Tu-160 bomber during Russia's November 2015 strikes in Syria. | Accessed: 2026-06-26 Russia Forced to Deploy Rare Tu-160 Bombers Amid Tu-95 Losses in Operation Spider WebPublisher: UNITED24 Media | Note: Supports Russia-Ukraine War direct use by reporting Russian Tu-160 bombers launched 36 Kh-101 cruise missiles against Ukraine on June 6, 2025; the article also describes Tu-160 internal cruise-missile loads. | Accessed: 2026-06-26 Tupolev Tu-160 overflying Moscow fix.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for the primary Tu-160 image. | Accessed: 2026-06-26 Tupolev Tu-160 RF-94109.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for the gallery image showing a Tu-160 in flight over the Volga and Engels area. | Accessed: 2026-06-26 Tupolev Tu-160 3-view graphic.svgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for the gallery diagram. | Accessed: 2026-06-26