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Air ForcesRussia

Tu-95 Bear

Strategic bomberIn serviceFielded 1956Pending verification

Also known as: Tupolev Tu-95, Bear

Air ForcesRUS
Tu-95 Bear
Photo: U.S. Air Force photo · Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeStrategic bomber
Alternative designationsTupolev Tu-95, Bear
Date of introduction1956
ProliferationOrigin country only
ManufacturerTupolevMed[1]
Crew7Med[1]
Dimensions and weight
Length49.13 m161 ftMed[1]
Wingspan50.04 m164 ftMed[1]
Height13.3 m44 ftMed[1]
Empty weight91,800 kg202,384 lbMed[1]
Wing area289.9 m sqMed[1]
Flight performance
Engine4 x KKBM (Kuznetsov) NK-12MA turbopropsMed[1]
Thrust / power4 x 14 795 hpMed[1]
Range11,500 km7,146 mi · 6,210 nmiMed[1]
Service ceiling12,000 m39,370 ftMed[1]
Combat radius6,400 km3,977 mi · 3,456 nmiMed[1]
Speed830 km/h516 mph · 448 ktMed[1]
Cruise speed735 km/hMed[1]
Takeoff roll2,450 mMed[1]
Protection
NBC ProtectionYesMed[1]
EW countermeasuresJammer, Geran at nose and rear fuselageMed[1]
Chaff / flaresAPP-50 50-mm dispensers in undercarriage fairingsMed[1]
Armament and payload
Internal Bay: normal load9,000 kgMed[1]
Internal Bay: maximum load20,000 kgMed[1]
Internal Bay: rotary launcherMKU-6, containing 6 x AS-15 Kent missilesMed[1]
ArmamentGryazev-Shipunov GSh-23; Kh-101 / Kh-102; AS-15 Kent (Also known as the Kh-55); Kh-65 missilesMed[1]
Fire control
Fire Control System TypePRS-4 box tail gun warning and fire control radarMed[1]
Fire Control RadarClam Pipe (Obozor-MS) navigation/attackMed[1]
Navigation RadarToadstool terrain following. BAND I (8-10 GHz)Med[1]
Radar WarningBeryoza system at nose and tailMed[1]
Infrared WarningMak system under noseMed[1]
Variants
Tu-95/1The first prototype powered by Kuznetsov 2TV-2F coupled turboprop engines.[1]
Tu-95/2The second prototype powered by Kuznetsov NK-12 turboprops.[1]
Tu-95Basic variant of the long-range strategic bomber and the only model of the aircraft never fitted with a nose refuelling probe. Known to NATO as the Bear-A.[1]
Tu-95KExperimental version for air-dropping a MiG-19 SM-20 jet aircraft.[1]
Tu-95K22Conversions of the older Bear bombers, reconfigured to carry the Raduga Kh-22 missile and incorporating modern avionics. Known to NATO as the Bear-G.[1]
Tu-95K/Tu-95KDDesigned to carry the Kh-20 air-to-surface missile. The Tu-95KD aircraft were the first to be outfitted with nose probes. Known to NATO as the Bear-B.[1]
Tu-95KMModified and upgraded versions of the Tu-95K, most notable for their enhanced reconnaissance systems. These were in turn converted into the Bear-G configuration. Known to NATO as the Bear-C.[1]
Tu-95LALExperimental nuclear-powered aircraft project.[1]
Weapons and payload options · 4Confidence · Source
Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-2323mm Autocannon
Med[1]
Type
23mm Autocannon
Caliber
23 mm
Rate of fire
3,400–3,600 rounds/min (alleged)
Kh-101 / Kh-102Air-Launched Cruise Missile
Med[1]
Range
2,500–2,800 km1,553–1,740 mi · 1,350–1,512 nmi
Quantity
10
Type
Air-Launched Cruise Missile
Warhead
HE, fragmentation, submunition (Kh-101), 250 kt nuclear (Kh-102)
Length
7.45 m
AS-15 Kent (Also known as the Kh-55)Transonic air-launched Long-Range Cruise Missile
Med[1]
Range
2,500 km1,553 mi · 1,350 nmi
Quantity
8
Type
Transonic air-launched Long-Range Cruise Missile
Warhead
200 kt nuclear (information on warhead yield varies from Russian sources, which claim a 100 kt warhead, and Western sour
Speed
Mach 0.7
Length
7.00 m
Kh-65 missilesTransonic air-launched Long-Range Cruise Missile
Med[1]
Quantity
14
Type
Transonic air-launched Long-Range Cruise Missile
Summary

The Tupolev Tu-95 (Russian: Туполев Ту-95; NATO reporting name: "Bear") is a large, four-engine turboprop-powered strategic bomber and missile platform. First flown in 1952, the Tu-95 entered service with the Soviet Union in 1956 and is expected to serve the Russian Aerospace Forces until at least 2040.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
Russia
Sources
  1. Tu-95 (Bear) Russian Strategic Bomber Aircraft, U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
    Published/updated 2026-03-20 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-10-10
Change log
  • 2026-10-05 Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
  • 2026-10-06 Added photo (Public domain)