Tupolev Tu-360

Last updated
Tu-360
Role strategic bomber
Manufacturer Tupolev OKB
StatusCancelled
Number built0

The Tupolev Tu-360 was a proposed hypersonic strategic bomber conceived by the Tupolev design bureau in the 1980s. It utilized most of the same technologies as the Tupolev Tu-2000. [1]

Contents

Design and development

The Tupolev OKB intended the Tu-360 as a potential replacement for the Tupolev Tu-160, like the Mach 4 Tupolev Tu-230. Although some sources refer to it as the Tupolev Tu-2000B, largely because it utilized the same liquid hydrogen ramjet engine technology as the Tu-2000, it was officially called Tu-360 in the project index. The Tu-360 had the same layout as the Tu-230 but was much larger and faster. Speeds at Mach 6 required the use of liquid hydrogen, and the weapons were to be housed in two bomb bays. Take-off weight was projected at around 350,000 kg, weapons load at 10,000 kg. [2] Tupolev planned to build a subscale technology demonstrator weighing 176,370 pounds (80,000 kg) to test the flight characteristics of the Tu-360, but a lack of funds following the fall of the Soviet Union meant that the project was axed in 1992. [1] [3] [4]

Specifications

Data from https://www.testpilot.ru/russia/tupolev/360/

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

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References

  1. 1 2 Gordon, Yefim; Komissarov, Sergey (2013). Unflown wings : Soviet and Russian unrealized aircraft projects 1925-2010. Birmingham: Ian Allan Publishing Ltd. pp. 90-91. ISBN   978-1906537340.
  2. "360 (Ту-360)".
  3. Tu-2000
  4. " Tu-2000 ", astronautix.com , Retrieved 24 April 2010