Aerospace

Attention, Donald Trump: Russia’s Tu-160 Bombers Are Getting Hypersonic Ballistic Missiles

Russia’s Tu-160 strategic bombers may be armed with hypersonic ballistic missiles.

The Russian military is studying whether to arm the Tu-160 (NATO code name: Blackjack) with the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal (“dagger”), a nuclear-capable missile with an estimated range of 1,200 miles and a speed of up to Mach 10. If true, it would vastly extend the Blackjack’s target reach.

“The possibility of deploying Kinzhal missiles on Tu-160 aircraft is being considered,” said Russian news agency TASS, quoting an unidentified source in the defense industry. “The work on this option is due to be completed this year,” the source said.

TASS is a state-owned news organization, so presumably, the “leak” indicates that Russia either plans to arm the Tu-160 with hypersonic missiles—or wants the rest of the world to think so.