Tupolev Tu-16

Tupolev Tu-16
A Tu-16 flying over USS Hewitt c.1978
General information
TypeStrategic bomber
National originSoviet Union
ManufacturerVoronezh Aircraft Production Association[1]
Designer
StatusDiscontinued, in limited service
Primary usersRussian Air Force
Egyptian Air Force (historical)
Iraqi Air Force (historical)
Indonesian Air Force (historical)
Number built1,509
History
Manufactured1952–1962
Introduction date1954
First flight27 April 1952
VariantsTupolev Tu-104
Tupolev Tu-124
Xian H-6
Tupolev Tu-107

The Tupolev Tu-16 (USAF/DOD reporting name Type 39;[2] NATO reporting name: Badger)[3] is a twin-engined jet strategic heavy bomber used by the Soviet Union. It has been flown for almost 70 years. While many aircraft in Soviet service were retired after the Cold War ended, the Chinese license-built version Xian H-6 remains in service with the People's Liberation Army Air Force, with the most modern variant, the H-6K, still being actively produced as of 2020.[4]

  1. ^ "Предприятие". www.vaso.ru. Archived from the original on 6 May 2018. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  2. ^ Jane's All the World's Aircraft p. 188
  3. ^ "Designations of Soviet and Russian Military Aircraft and Missiles". www.designation-systems.net. Archived from the original on 11 October 2017. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  4. ^ Axe, David (16 November 2020). "The Chinese Air Force Sure Is Buying A Lot Of Bombers". Forbes. Archived from the original on 27 May 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.