Designed by the Soviet Union's renowned Tupolev Design Bureau, the Tupolev Tu-95 was the world's only long-range, strategic bomber powered by turboprop engines. Although driven by propellors, the big swept wing bomber was capable of speeds nearly comparable to those of pure jet types of the era.

The Tu-95 first entered service during the early 1950s. Its long unrefueled range of nearly 8,000 miles enabled the big bomber to strike at targets in the continental United States from bases in the northern Soviet Union. Aerial refueling capabilities gave the aircraft a theoretically unlimited range.

The first variant of the Tu-95 (dubbed "Bear-A" by NATO) featured a glazed nose for a bombardier. A major upgrade of the original design (known as the "Bear-B") replaced the nose glazing with a large search and navigational radar housed in a "duckbill" radome which conferred upon the aircraft its distinctive silhouette. Variants of the Tu-95 were developed to fulfill photographic reconnaissance and electronic intelligence gathering missions.

The aircraft's internal weapons bay was capable of carrying a bomb load of up to 25,000 pounds including various types of thermonuclear gravity bombs. The later "B" variant could also be equipped to launch a large, airplane-like, supersonic cruise missile believed to have a maximum range of about 1,000 miles. Known by its NATO code name "Kangaroo", the missile was probably equipped with a multi-megaton thermonuclear warhead.

The deployment of substantial numbers of Tu-95 aircraft was one factor which favored the continuing development and enhancement of the air defense network for the continental United States during the 1950s and beyond. Radar sites, including the Montauk Air Force Station, occassionally tracked the big Soviet bombers as they made long range flights along the east coast on their way to and from Cuba and other destinations.

Upgraded variants of the Tu-95 remain in service with the Russian Air Force at this time.

Donald E. Bender
October 2000

Photo: Enhanced U.S. Air Force photograph by Donald E. Bender

Copyright 2000 by Donald E. Bender. All Rights Reserved.