Tupolev Tu-85

Tu-85
General information
TypeHeavy bomber
National originSoviet Union
ManufacturerTupolev
StatusCancelled
Number built2
History
First flight9 January 1951
Developed fromTupolev Tu-4
Tupolev Tu-80

The Tupolev Tu-85 (Russian: Туполев Ту-85; USAF/DoD reporting name: "Type 31", NATO reporting name: Barge[1]) was a Soviet prototype strategic bomber based on the Tu-4, an unlicensed, reverse engineered copy of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress. It was the ultimate development of the B-29 family, being over 50% heavier than its progenitor and had nearly double the range. Only two prototypes were built before the program was cancelled in favor of the turboprop powered Tupolev Tu-95 bomber which could cover the same range at a far higher speed.

  1. ^ "Designations of Soviet and Russian Military Aircraft and Missiles". Designation-systems.net. 18 January 2008. Retrieved 28 September 2011.