Resources and opportunities to create a conceptually new aircraft, Russia does not have, but it remains that to improve the legacy of the Soviet Union, created in the image and likeness of US strategic bombers in the late 60s and early 70s, writes the blogger Zloy Odessit.

In recent days, Russian and echoing Western media have been delighted to talk about the rollout of the first upgraded in Kazan strategic missile-bomber Tu-160M2 and the deep modernization of the Tu-22M3, which will turn into a dangerous and deadly weapon in the struggle for Russia's geopolitical influence in the world.

Well, the Tu-160 and its younger brother Tu-22M3 are really formidable cars that should not be underestimated, but still, against the backdrop of a militaristic extravaganza, it's worth mentioning this ... To begin with, I will remind the story of the modernization of the Tu-160. It was announced on July 13, 2015, just two weeks after the successful tests of the high-precision atomic bomb B61-12 of the new generation. Then, more than two years ago, the RF Ministry of Defense assured that the VKS will receive a qualitatively new machine that meets modern requirements. I repeat, more than two years ago ... and it was just put on show now, and the first flight is promised for 2018. That is, the modernization of one machine - at least three years?.

At the same time, it is not entirely clear how the problem with replacement of the Tu-160M2 Ukrainian power steering units, in particular - hydraulic motors. Especially without testing in the air. But we go further, towards Tu-22M3.

On the same planes, it is also planned to carry out a deep modernization of the units and units, in particular, the Russian Kulibins intend to put on this bird the engines of the Samara PJSC "Kuznetsov" NK-32 series 02. However, the question arises as to how the NK-25 will be replaced by a new NK-32-02, without interference in the design of the Tu-22M3 and how this will affect the characteristics of the aircraft?.

Also interesting is the question concerning the possibility of upgraded Tu-22M3 to use cruise missiles Х-32, created on the basis of Х-22 specially for the improved "product 45".

The fact is that the X-32 refers to high-precision missiles using the GLONASS system as guidance, but this time there are problems with this system. After all, after a whole series of emergency situations and breakages of 27 GLONASS satellites, which are necessary for the full-fledged operation of the system, only 22 are operational now!.

In conclusion, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that Russia has embarked on the modernization of its formidable bombers, but not in the creation of new ones. Resources and opportunities to create a conceptually new aircraft, it does not, but it remains that to improve the legacy of the Soviet Union, created in the image and likeness of US strategic bombers in the late 60s and early 70s. But even to imitate the US in this regard does not work and there is already a question not so much in the size of the pension fund going to the military, and not on indexing, how much in the possession of modern technologies.