Tu-95 Bear

Tu-95 "Bear" - Multi-Role Strategic Bomber -

Tu-95 Image #2

ORIGIN: (Real World) Russian Federation

GAMES FEATURED IN: Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies

OPERATORS: Erusean Air Force

BIO: The Tupelov Tu-95, codenamed “Bear” by NATO, was the title holder of Russia’s primary bomber aircraft during the Cold War. Stressing similar specifications to the American B-52 Stratofortress, it can be argued that the Tu-95 is a far more flexible aircraft than its American counterpart, serving as an airborne aircraft carrier, experimental weapons delivery platform, a reconnaissance aircraft, and ASW platform, all complementing its heavy bomber role. Powered by four counter-rotating NK-12MV turboprops rated at 59,180 horsepower, the Tu-95 can achieve a maximum airspeed of 575 mph and a remarkable unrefueled range of 8,110 nautical miles. The Tu-95 was the star of numerous interceptions over the Arctic Circle during the Cold War, with numerous U.S. fighter aircraft ranging from F-4’s to F-14’s encountering the patrolling bombers through radar contacts. The Tu-95 “Bear-G”, the most current variant available to the Russian Air Force, is still in service today; however with the current status of the Russian military, its Bear fleets have been dealt a major blow in operations capacity.

Source: Aerospaceweb.org - http://www.aerospaceweb.org/aircraft/bomber/tu95/