Message posted by Gunslinger on December 06, 2000 at 10:52:32 EST:

I don't think it's quite accurate to designate the TU-95 (NATO Code-Name 'Bear') a 'bomber' anymore.

An aging turbo-prop design used mostly for Naval Support, the Bear CAN car mid-range missles, but the long-range Kelt missle specifically designed for the bear has been taken out of service. The Bear, (With the exception of the newest 'D' variant, itself twenty years old), is mostly used for ELINT work, recording and analyzing NATO radar and radio signals, and to 'fix' American Fleet locations (which, hypothetically, would then be attacked by 'real' bombers like the Backfire or Badger).

The 'D' varient of the TU-95 'Bear' is used as a very capable ASW platform, equal to - or better than - the American P-3 Orion.

In Reply to: Russia deploys bombers near Alaska (OT, but interesting) posted by gary on December 01, 2000 at 04:35:43 EST:

Replies: