Soviet Bombers and Other Aircraft Quiz

Answer: Tu-4

This was a major intelligence coup for the Soviets. American B-29 crews bombing Japan were ordered to land in Vladivostok, Russia only in extreme emergencies because they were only at war with Germany and the B-29 technology was very sensitive. In August 1944, one Superfort was forced to ditch over Russia and three others were forced to make emergency landings. Stalin made copying the B-29s top priority and mobilized his entire aerospace industry for the task. What he got was the Tu-4, NATO code named "Bull", which was as close to a match as the primitive Russian industry could manage.

The under carriage was modified, the plexiglass nose canopy was poorly copied, and the Soviets replaced the B-29s fifty caliber machine guns with 23mm cannons.

When the Soviets developed their own atomic bomb, they already had the same bomber the Americans were using.

Answer: Tu-95

Entering service in the early 1950's, the Tu-95 Bear is, arguably the most successful and versatile bomber ever produced. It features four turboprop engines, with counter rotating propellers, on swept back wings. Originally designed to drop free fall nuclear bombs, it has since been developed into an effective cruise missile carrier and maritime patrol aircraft.

A specialized version, the Tu-142 Bear F, is optimized for antisubmarine warfare which has a longer range and carries more weapons than the British Nimrod or American P-3 Orion.

Answer: Intermediate range bomber

The Badger is another bomber that has been upgraded for a variety of roles. It's two turbojet engines are located in the plane's wing root. Subsequent versions have been used as a platform for cruise missiles, electronic counter measures,reconnaissance, airborne tanker, and antisubmarine warfare. It has been exported to China, Indonesia, Egypt, and Iraq.

Answer: False

When Tupolev began designing the Backfire, They started with the Blinder aircraft. What they ended up with was a brand new aircraft. The engines, positioned on the Tu-22 tail, were moved to the wing roots on the Tu-22M, and the Tu-22M features variable geometry wings. Reasons for the similar designations vary from deceiving NATO to deceiving Soviet bureacrats to facilitate funding of the aircraft.

There is much dispute between Russia and the USAF on whether the Tu-22M has intercontinental capability.

The Tu-22M Backfire is used by Russian air and naval forces to drop free fall bombs and carry cruise misiles.

Answer: A-10 Thunderbolt II

There has been speculation that the Su-25 Frogfoot was based on the LOSING design for a 1970's USAF close support aircraft competition, the Northrop A-9. The Su-25 shares the A-9's engine and wing placement. Like the A-10, the Frogfoot is a tough, subsonic, attack plane with a 30mm gun in the nose. Su-25's served with distinction in the Soviet's war with Afghanistan.

The Su-39 is a carrier based variant of the Frogfoot capable of carrying anti-ship missiles.

Answer: T-160 Blackjack

This is a potentially great aircraft whose production was slowed due to the end of of the Cold War. It's mission is very similar to the B-1B: long range, low level pentration, carrying cruise missiles.

Answer: An-124 Condor

The Condor is a four jet engined, swept wing, aluminum monster. With a weight of 405000 kg, it is slightly heavier than the C-5 which weighs 378,000 kg.
Both serve as long range, strategic transports.
The Condor has been further developed int the An-225 Cossack which has a much larger wing area, is heavier, has six engines, and originally transported the Soviet space shuttle.

Answer: Hind

This is another aircraft that earned its reputation in the deserts and mountains of Afghanistan.
The Hind is classified as an "assault transport". Unlike the American AH-64 Apache, the Hind is capable of carrying up to eight infantrymen as well carrying its own devastating arsenal of anti-tank and anti-personel weapons.

Answer: Ka-25 Hormone

The Ka-25 Hormone was developed to counter American SSBM submarines and was first deployed on the helicopter carrier Moskva.
A later variant was equipped with an airborne radar to provide AEW coverage for the fleet and help guide the navy's long range antiship missiles.

Answer: It has been produced in large numbers.

The Hokum is another great that can be added to history's list of "what ifs" because of the end of the Cold War and subsequent collaspe of the Soviet Union.
Had this helicopter entered service, it would have been an American tanker's nightmare with its heavy arsenal of weapons, small signature, and extreme agility. It's closest Western countepart was the stealthy Comanche whose development was canceled in 2004.