Russia is developing a new strategic bomber to replace its Tu-160s, Tu-95MS and Tu-22

[IBRIS]

AFLRO will replace the Tu-160 and Tu-22M3 bomber new

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In 1967 the USSR Ministry of Defense «bethought» about the Strategic aviation again. Push for this was the decision of USA to develop and construct the AMSA project (Advanced Manned Strategic Aircraft) the future B-1B «Lancer».
On January 10, 1969, Minister of Aviation Industry of USSR signed contract about building and development of a double - mode (swept wing) bomber - missile carrier. Three Design Bureaus: A.N. Tupolev, V.M. Myasishev, and P.O. Sukhoi participated in the contract. According to the same contract, Bureaus should also develop the weaponry and aboard equipment. Contract for the development of radio-electronical complex was signed by Ministry of Radio-electronical Industry on Mai 25, 1969.
After governmental contest contract was officially published, the Sukhoi Design Bureau started the development of a brand new Strategic double-mode aircraft the T-4MS (S - strategic) based on the experiences gained from the T-4 «Sotka». It was planned to install the same powerplants, aboard systems and equipment, use already known materials, typical constructional - technological solutions, as well as proven technological processes. Industrial nickname was chosen to be «200» because of its take off weight close to 200 t.
During the period of development, engineers tried several aerodynamical variants of the fuselage. At first, it was planned to create an aircraft by completely redesigning the T-4M. This attempt failed because of dramatic change in dimensions and weight which could not ensure needed payload and strategic capabilities.
Engineers were forced to look for newer ways and technologies that could fully satisfy the following main demands: getting maximum volume of containers along with reaching minimal air resistance, capability of carrying needed number of missiles and bombs, reaching maximum hardness of the wing and fuselage in order to fly near ground at an extreme speed, possibility of installation newer more advanced powerplants if invented, perspective upgrades is sense of installing new technological achievements as time moves on, develop and include stealth technologies in the construction of the T-4MS.
Working on the final integral modifications of T-4M, engineers of the Sukhoi Design Bureau concluded that the variant that will most satisfy the above demands would be the «airplane - flying wing».
This variant (code name 2B) was created in August 1970 by L. I. Bondarenko, approved by the unit manager O. S. Samoilovich, main designer N. S. Chernyakov and general designer-constructor P. O. Sukhoi. First testing programs proved that this configuration will ensure great aerodynamical stability at supersonic as well as the speeds below supersonic.
Absolutely fantastic aerodynamical quality was reached 17,5 at Mach 0.8 and 7.3 at Mach 3.0. With this new integral modification the problem of wing deformation was also solved. Smaller area of the wing along with the hard carrying fuselage ensured the capability of flying at an extreme speeds near the ground. Rotation devices could change angle of the wing from 30 to 72 degrees.
The whole year 1971, was spent «perfecting» the T-4MS project in terms of increasing the aerodynamical quality by changing shape of the wing and fuselage; increasing cruise speed by using critical profiles; investigating changes of the vertical stabilizer and powerplant work by changing angle of the wing; looking for more optimal configurations of the wing to reach more stability and controllability; decreasing fuel consumption by changing location of the powerplants etc.
However, it was later discovered that the aircraft can't be properly centered and is 5% unstable. Main Designer N.S. Chernyakov decided to modify construction of the aircraft. That is when the configurations with longer frontal section were developed. One of those configurations (#8) had a funny «needle - like nose», but at the end exactly this configuration with longer nose was finally approved by designers. Works were finished by the end of 1971. Stealth technologies were also included in the construction of the aircraft. Machine was to be fitted with 4 NK-101 powerplants capable of producing 20 000kg of thrust each.
In the autumn 1972, the Ministry of Science and Ministry of Technology reviewed the projects for a double-mode assault aircraft. Project «160» based on Tu-144 by Tupolev OKB, T-4MS by Sukhoi OKB, and M-20 by Myashishev OKB. The «160» project was rejected due to significant differences between governmental requirements and its actual capabilities. General of the USSR Air Force mentioned the following about the «160» project, - «You are practically offering to us a passenger airplane».
It was also discovered that aerodynamical qualities of the project «160» were falsification and didn't satisfy governmental demands.
The T-4MS attracted the Air Force experts the most. This aircraft could hardly be stopped even with the most sophisticated systems of 1990s.
The M-20 project by Myashishev OKB, was very attractive as well but still denied because the newly formed Myashishev Design Bureau didn't have enough industrial and technological power and had a lack of engineers for meting governmental deadlines.
At the end, the T-4MS project was admitted to be the best choice for the USSR Air Force. But to build the T-4MS, Sukhoi OKB would have to use Kazan Aviation Plant (KAP). It was hardly acceptable because this could cancel the development of the T-10 (Su-27), modernization of Su-17M and T-6 (Su-24). The T-4MS could cancel all these programs and there was no way USSR could go for it.

After deeply reviewing all the projects chief commander of the USSR Air Force P. S. Kutakhov said: «You know, let's make our decision. Yes, the T-4MS project is the best, and I admit that, but the Sukhoi OKB is already involved in development of the Su-27 which very and very important to us. So let's give the glory of victory to OKB Sukhoi but transfer all the materials and information to the Tupolev OKB so that it could run all the works..»
Tupolev OKB rejected all the documentation about the T-4MS and continued its works on the brand new «aluminum» bomber with swept wing which later resulted in creation of the Tu-160 «Blackjack». With similar payload and range at the speeds below supersonic, the Tu-160 was 35% heavier than T-4MS and had 2-3 times smaller range at supersonic speeds.
Works on the T-4MS project was stopped but the ideas and technologies taken from this aircraft were productively used in the aircrafts like Su-27, Mig-29, Tu-160 and other airplanes of the 21 century.

DescriptionDesign OKB P.O.Sukhoi Type T-4MS («200») Function strategic reconnaissance bomber Crew 3 Years of development1973-741976-77Dimensions & WeightLength, m 41,2 (41,7)41,2 Overall height, m 88Wing Span, mmin (72о)14,414,4max (30о)40,840,8Wing Area (30о), m297,597,5Max take-off weight, kg170000170000Power-plant Engines 4 Turbojet RD-36-41 4 Turbofan NK-101Thrust, kgf (kN) 16000 20000Flight data (project)Range with normal warload, km speed 900 km/h 1100014000speed 3000 km/h 75009000Max speed, km/h (M=) at altitude 3200 3200 at ground level 1100 1100 Practical ceiling, m2400024000Take-off run, m13501100Landing run, m950950ArmamentMissiles AS Kh-45 2-4Kh-200024 Warload, kg normal 9000max 45000

T4MS("200")​

 

[A.V.]

Russian Air Force Backing Plan to Restart Production of Upgraded An-124

Russia’s big An-124-100 Ruslan freighter appears closer to a new lease on life, provided promised funding and commitments are forthcoming.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev recently approved a plan to restart production of an upgraded An-124 version at the Aviastar-SP plant in Ulyanovsk, under the responsibility of United Aircraft Corp. (UAC). Known as the An-124-500, it would feature a glass cockpit for four crewmembers and enhancements to the aircraft’s Motor Sich D18-T powerplant that would boost range and payload and double the aircraft’s operating life to 50,000 hr. Deliveries would begin by 2014-15.Schemes to reinstate An-124 pro*duction have been kicking around for a while but began to take shape with the emergence of UAC, which devised a business plan acceptable to the Russian and Ukrainian governments. The resurgence in government aerospace and defense spending also played a crucial role.
Volga-Dnepr Group–which with UAC and the Antonov design bureau has led the fight to restart production–says the upgrade was recently validated by Russia’s Central Aerohydrodyamics Institute (TsAGI) and the State Research Institue of Civil Aviation. However, for the new plan to go forward, Moscow must agree to invest $500 million to retool the plant and refurbish the assembly line, and launch customers must come forward with firm commitments.
VolgaDnepr says it is ready to commit to 20 of the new An-124s during 2011-20 and another 20 during 2021-27.
According to the air cargo operator, studies show the outsize freight service market has grown 30% annually during the past five years, to more than $1.1 billion, and will reach $7 billion by 2030. Consulting company SH&E predicts this will translate into a need for 70 An-124s.
However, it is not yet clear if the defense ministry, which already has a long list of hardware purchases on its wish list, is interested in a new An-124 acquisition just now. The ministry may place higher priority on renovating the 24 An-124s currently listed in the Russian air force inventory, most of which require a major overhaul.

this is new news and equally imp

 

[IBRIS]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=werTkgu7oPY&feature=sub

 

[plugwater]

PAK DA to use PAK FA engines


Here is google translation from Chinese to English:

According to "China's aviation newspaper" reported: end of 2009, Russian media reported that the Russian Tupolev company intends to 2017 years ago at a new strategic bomber development work so that in 2020 ~ 2025, production volumes. According to plan, Tupolev company should be completed in 2012, scientific research work in order to balance the transition to a pilot phase of design work. 2017 years ago, needed to create the body, 2020 ~ 2025 airborne equipment to be manufactured.

According to "China's aviation newspaper" reported: end of 2009, Russian media reported that the Russian Tupolev company intends to 2017 years ago at a new strategic bomber development work so that in 2020 ~ 2025, production volumes. According to plan, Tupolev company should be completed in 2012, scientific research work in order to balance the transition to a pilot phase of design work. 2017 years ago, needed to create the body, 2020 ~ 2025 airborne equipment to be manufactured.
Russia's next-generation bomber project's official name is "the future of long-range aviation system," (PAK DA), and closely watched the fifth-generation fighter, "the future of front-line aviation system," (PAK FA), compared, PAK DA obscurity once seemed, while the end of last year This news makes it a focus of international attention.

As the public information on the PAK DA is very rare, its true face can make a rough guess.

Development History
Is also the 20th century, 90 years, when the Russian Air Force commander Deinekin hope that a new, cheaper to replace the map-22M bombers and Figure -160. He said: "multi-purpose medium bombers to the strategic bomber would be a great impact, because they are more expensive and relatively difficult to detect." Perhaps he refers to "project 54S" bombers. The research project stalled in 1991, and in the economic situation is very bad attempt to re-launched in 1994. To be fair, this is indeed a kind of revolutionary bombers, but it can not completely replace the map's position and role of the -160.

In 1999, Russia's new bomber design work started, the purpose is to replace the existing map-95MS and Figure -160, but the plans have been unrealistic to hope to use medium bomber to replace the strategic bombers. According to the draft plan, the new aircraft must be completed by 2010, but the problem is simply impossible at this time there is sufficient 20-ton thrust of the AL-41F engines.


"Medium-range bomber," the word in the present conditions, it is difficult to understand: It is SO -34? Or Fig-22M? Or something in between a plane? In the past, the word is very clear: Figure -16, Figure -22, Figure-22M and the United States B-58 are medium-range bombers. "Remote" is defined as the range of 7,000 kilometers. The "long-range strategic flights" refers to the flight of at least 12,000 km. Fig -160 has a range up to 14,000 km.

It is estimated that, PAK DA can use the existing map-22M bases and runways. Flight time is about 2015 ~ 2021, the 2027 production of 100 or so, an annual output of 10 ~ 12, or 1 per month.


Allegedly, PAK DA will continue for a diagram of the -160 design ideas, which means it is unlikely similar to the U.S. B-2 stealth bomber. With the B-2 stealth bomber, similar to the Russian project in the 20th century, the mid-90s has been suspended.

Later PAK DA project, the MiG design bureau, Sukhoi Design Bureau and the Tupolev Design Bureau have put forward their own programs, including the MiG design bureau of the program is a hypersonic bomber, the Sukhoi Design Bureau The program is based on an existing design, while the Tupolev Design Bureau hopes to continue to significantly improve the map-22M, the development of a 50-ton twin variable-geometry wing bomber, size is about half the figure -160. Judging from the current situation, should be the Tupolev Design Bureau's PAK DA project the program was ultimately selected, but the initial data has been some significant changes have taken place.
　

Allegedly, PAK DA's maximum takeoff weight of up to 125 tons, with a supersonic cruise capability, maximum flight speed of Mach 1.5 to 2, aircraft thrust-weight ratio is 0.5. On this basis, the PAK DA twin engines of the single thrust of about 31,000 kgf. But the problem is that Russia has no such level of engine thrust, so some people speculated, PAK DA may be installed on four sets 117S engine (for the fifth-generation fighter PAK FA) an improved version of that engine thrust for a single 15.5 thousand kilograms force. The advantage of improved use of 117S, the future PAK DA and the PAK FA's power plant will have a very high versatility.

117S engine when installed on the Su--35 fuel consumption of 1.25 kg / km, if the PAK DA with good aerodynamic shape and new technologies, 117S engine's fuel consumption is expected to drop to 1 kg / km, so that installation of four Taiwan 117S engine improved version of the PAK DA implementation of the 12,500 km journey, when the strategic bombing mission to carry only 50 tons of aviation fuel.

Weapons, PAK DA might carry KH-101 cruise missiles or conventional strategy of KH-102 strategic nuclear cruise missiles. KH-101 full-weight 2200 ~ 2400 kg, warhead weight 400 kg, a maximum range of 5000 ~ 5500 km.
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[bengalraider]

The PAKDA shall probably follow the example set by the USAF FB22 program,in that it shall proabably be a modified PAK-FA that shall be converted into a strike version.this conversion brings significant cost savings as compared to startinga completey new bomber program. The russian financial situation being what it is methinks the russians are more than sure to follow this route.

In 2002, Lockheed Martin began studying a modified bomber version of the F-22 Raptor fighter, featuring a delta wing, longer body and greater range and payload.[1] The FB-22 medium bomber is based on existing and planned capabilities of the F-22 fighter, a heritage that would limit development costs and risks should the idea go into production. The FB-22 was planned to serve as a regional bomber, a role previously covered by the General Dynamics F-111.[2]

The FB-22 differs from the original F-22 design significantly. A lengthened fuselage and larger delta wing provide greater fuel capacity for greater range of some 1,600 miles (2,600 km), compared with the F-22's 600 miles (970 km).[2] This also allows room for a larger internal weapons bay, better suiting long range attack missions and improved stealth.[3] Changing to an improved engine such as the F-35's Pratt & Whitney F135, or the General Electric/Rolls-Royce F136 is possible.[4] The FB-22 would have a maximum speed of Mach 1.92.[5]

One early FB-22 concept featured no tailplanes.[5] The FB-22 design incorporated twin tailplanes and likely would have fixed engine nozzles as opposed to the thrust vectoring nozzles on the F-22.[5] The FB-22 design could carry 30 Small Diameter Bombs (SDB), which weigh just 250 pounds (110 kg).[1]

Research is currently being conducted to develop stealth ordnance pod and pylon. Such a pod would comprise a low observable shape and carry its weapons internally, then would open when launching a missile or dropping a bomb. The pod and pylon could be detached when no longer needed. This would allow a stealth aircraft to carry a far greater amount of ordnance than the internal bays alone, while still allowing the craft to maintain its stealth characteristics.[3] Because of the work already done on the F-22, developing the FB-22 might cost about 25% of designing a new bomber.[3]

FB-22 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Smarter Bomber | Popular Science
http://www.air-attack.com/page/26/FB-22-Fighter-Bomber.html