Tupolev chief says Russia rebuilt Tu-160M bomber supply chains and modernised 80% of systems and equipment to resume production – Defence Industry Europe

Tupolev chief says Russia rebuilt Tu-160M bomber supply chains and modernised 80% of systems and equipment to resume production  Defence Industry Europe

Russia rebuilt supply chains and upgraded factories to restart production of the Tu-160M strategic bomber, Tupolev chief executive Yuri Abrosimov said. Russia rebuilt supply chains and upgraded factories to restart production of the Tu-160M strategic bomber, Tupolev chief executive Yuri Abrosimov said. He said the programme modernised 80% of the aircraft’s systems and equipment while retaining its external appearance. The changes include fully updated avionics, aircraft and weapons control systems, navigation equipment and upgraded engines. According to Abrosimov, the bomber is now built using a new technological base incorporating digital processes. “One of the main difficulties we encountered was restoring industrial cooperation, starting with suppliers of materials and semi-finished products,” Abrosimov said.

“We effectively rebuilt the production chains for a number of assemblies, taking modern technologies into account.” The work included upgrading workshop equipment and flight-test facilities. Specialised installations for electron-beam welding and vacuum annealing of titanium assemblies were also brought into operation. The programme required a shared digital environment linking design and production. Sukhoi, Mikoyan and Ilyushin design bureaux helped prepare the digital documentation.Participating United Aircraft Corporation enterprises now work within a common digital information system. Abrosimov said this allows them to track changes and introduce them into manufacturing more quickly. The Tu-160M retains the variable-geometry wing configuration of the earlier bomber. Abrosimov attributed its combination of speed, range,