Soviet TU-160: The Supersonic "White Swan" of Russian Aircraft

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[@777jones]

Simon was perhaps the biggest winner of the Cold War

[@chrisbecker5472]

HAHAH Gold

[@echopine8974]

Woah... um actually he might be. He is still making profit off of the tensions of 2 different countries.

[@MrGivmedew]

Honestly we all benefited from the Cold War and space race...

[@ArKritz84]

@@MrGivmedew we will probably never know how detrimental to humanity as a whole the cost of the cold war arms race and related wars were.

[@MrGivmedew]

@@ArKritz84 I’m not sure what your are talking about... I believe the space program is one of the most important endeavors that human kind has gotten behind and that one day it will make it possible for humans to live somewhere else. It would be short sighted to think that we would have even made it to the moon without the space race between the US and the USSR. The amount of resources poured into that race just would not have happened. The same goes for countless other technologies that we benefit from to this day.

[@alexanderkush8721]

When I was a kid I used to spend every summer in the city of Engels, which has one of russia's most important military airfields adjoining the city. Still remember how all the windows are shaking and rattling 5-10 kilometers away when they simply warm up the engines at 4 am. And seeing these beauties taking off on a sunrise and then breaking the sound barrier was quite a sight to behold.

[@davids8127]

Is it the city of Marx which has russia's Nr1 military airfield?

[@alexanderkush8721]

@@davids8127 No, the city's called Engels. Marx is about 30 kilometers away. You can find it on a map easily.

[@jeebus6263]

Sounds like you saw the sound, and heard the light...

[@KDill29]

Didnt these planes leave a trail of toxic gas, due to not fully ignited fuel. You know, Nitric Acid..I mean, makes sense that you'd stand near it and watch it being a proper obedient Soviet...but I'm kinda saying bull.

[@longshanks7157]

@@KDill29 he stated 5-10 kilometers away, that's a safe distance. You're correct about the engine combustion (or lack of) creating acid though, not good if you were on the airfields

[@sashakazmar6142]

“Not only the Russians wanted to have their cake and eat it too, they wanted to bomb the bakery from 16000 miles away so no one would get any cake ever” 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@vr6swp]

Long as they don't bomb the taco truck we'll all be fine

[@nickyblue4866]

@@vr6swp the bathrooms from the taco truck aftermath would beg to differ.

[@mtbass3413]

“Let them eat Chak-chak” - Brezhnev

[@chronosschiron]

...while a russian cat with a cossack hat glared at them

[@keithjackson4985]

Dude! That was hilarious! 😆😆😆

[@killerninjakitty815]

Despite what you think of the cold war one fact remains, it's given you plenty of material for all of your channels.

[@Robert-ff9wf]

Im thinking we might have been safer during the cold war than we are now.

[@kevinfreeman3098]

@@Robert-ff9wf might have, I'm going to go with certainly...

[@ssssssssssss885]

And basically what's called "The Internet"

[@ssssssssssss885]

@@Robert-ff9wf Nope. The World came close to nuclear Armageddon a few times during the Cold War (Cuban Crisis, 1983 Soviet nuclear false alarm incident, and not only). Every reasonably educated felt very unsafe, but we got used to suppress that constant threat feeling.

[@megaprojects9649]

No doubt.

[@metaljewelgaming]

“In a world, where, thankfully there is just not that much to bomb.” That aged well.

[@TeamLegacyFTW]

Anyone else notice that Simon's channels are using more memes lately? Business Blaze is slowly taking over😈

[@TeamLegacyFTW]

Allegedly😉

[@stipe3124]

We are Business Blaze you will be assimilated, ressistance is futile 😅

[@Tuning3434]

It's the Cocaine, allegedly

[@tallguy2882]

@@TeamLegacyFTW don’t you mean Allegendly 😂

[@CogitoNM]

A bit sad, really. The amount of memes has me wanting to find a more adult channel. Or just not watch the videos and only listen to them. But then I find myself just finding something else to watch.

[@yartokdeligne8176]

Good video as usual. Was surprised you didn't mention the reveal of the Tu-160 to the West; seem to recall a *very* surprised high-ranking US official, in the USSR on official business, got a sudden tour and cockpit inspection right out of the blue! Must have been a hell of a shock to them...

[@czarowli4828]

It’s such a gorgeous plane.

[@anderseckstrand7033]

Whoa mama Sita

[@thefreemonk6938]

​@@anderseckstrand7033 What the hell do you mean?

[@EEE-1409]

Trueee

[@korlevtizh]

There may be silly aspects to the Cold War, but a cold war is always better than a hot one.

[@elizabethnilsson1815]

that IS FOR SURE

[@stevecallagher9973]

I think its interesting that the technology from the 60s and 70s is still so adaptable. Its an eerie parallel to bands of the era that still keep touring....

[@JABelms]

Because USSR and USA had insane competition. Without another superpower military innovation just became slow AF and smaller

[@machinefannatic99]

Almost 90 percent pf weapons are 40s and 80s technology. Theres nothing new you can do in conventional weapons maybe create star wars lasers.

[@naphackDT]

Especially in bombers, all you need is the ability to reliably haul a lot of mass over a long distance. The rest is window dressing.

[@VBITS97]

The B52 is getting new engines and upgrades to make it through a century. They might outlast Keith Richardon of the Roling Stones but not by much.

[@mcspikesky]

That is one beautiful aircraft. Thicc, yet elegant.

[@anngo4140]

Lady Dimitrescu's fan?

[@mcspikesky]

@@anngo4140 nah idk wtf you're talking about

[@VOME127]

@@anngo4140 LMAOOO

[@mhdfrb9971]

@@anngo4140 dimistrescu sucks

[@draochvar9646]

All the right proportions in all the right places.

[@NonEuclideanTacoCannon]

Tu-160 has been my favorite aircraft for years. There is just something about it. Even if placed side-by-side with a B-1B, my eyes are always drawn to the White Swan.

[@badcampa2641]

Will it live-on in our psyche, in a similar place as 'Jaws'?

[@blingbling5062]

The TU 160 has the same feel as the SU 27 and later variants have, imo 'Modern' Russian /Soviet aircraft lost the boxy look and became my favorite looking military aircraft.

[@alexxxXXXrus]

Tupolev says "only beautiful aircraft can perfect to fly"

[@Podus81]

I prefer the B-1 but they are both good looking.

[@pocok5000]

same here, This and the mig29

[@MikoyanGurevichMiG21]

She's a graceful work of art. Her name as the White Swan as well deserved. One of the Union's absolute best beauties, it was an honour to watch her fly.

[@0katmandude0]

they are indeed a tribute to human ingenuity, albeit for a rather destructive sport. on of the great machines that came out of Tupolev's study!

[@badcampa2641]

She is magnificent

[@timsytanker]

More of a sitting duck.

[@0katmandude0]

@@timsytanker well in comparaison with a fighter arent all bombers ?? ;)

[@makonaima1]

@@timsytanker with hypersonic tail feathers to smoke yo arrogant yankee arse. Maybe you need a SARMAT, since you guys think bigger is better might be a better personal "fit" for where the sun don't shine. lol

[@rrg991981]

The Cold War gave birth to some awesome and terrifying stuff

[@tomw6947]

War always has done.

[@Fluffy_production]

THATS only what we know,. Think ab WJAT we don’t know ab

[@SNOWDONTRYFAN]

Sure did , but that terrifying stuff has been stuck in the past for years and the Russians have no way of getting out of it ?

[@jed-henrywitkowski6470]

I was thinking about how we millennials were born at the closing end of the Cold War... the possibility of another war in Europe on green planes and forest... Culminating in nuclear annihilation, which never came. What came was us coming of age in an era of endless wars in that god-forsaken sandbox, known as the Middle East, and the possibility of nuclear holocaust an ever-present specter, just waiting for his time to shine.

[@Kadeo-ms6qw]

A-10 video or I let Danny and Sam out of the basement.

[@Moose6340]

I have seen a B-1B under full afterburner up close and let me tell you, it's an impressive airplane. No airplane that big should be capable of what the Bone can do. But the Tu-160 is just a BEAUTIFUL airplane.

[@searchpei470]

Ah Man... Top Props @ 3:55 for whoever found that video clip of the guy getting hit in the ass by his model rocket ship.

[@lightingcue1]

The Tu-95 Bear might also be a good topic for a video!

[@chaosreaver3597]

That thing is insane. I know about it's service history and it unique characteristics but not much about it development.

[@sn4tx]

Probably one of favorite designs. And love the fact it’s so capable being a propeller plane. That in it self it’s almost a joke. A very scary one. And it’s amazing their much newer than “equivalent” b52, since the b52 although had plenty of modernizations, they still the original birds that came out of production like. The Bears from the 50 and 60s were unsuitable for modernization so they restarted production in the 80s and since that time gave them plenty of modernizations also. It just looks antiquated more than it actually is.

[@Justanotherconsumer]

@@chaosreaver3597 the development is a bit weird, because it’s a direct descendant of the Tu-4 and the B-29 Superfortress. The Tu-80 and Tu-85 show the evolutionary development from the Tu-4.

[@derrickwoodard461]

The Bear Always Fascinated Me With Them 8 Contra-Rotating Propellers That Would Make Your Ears Bleed,....Mannn I Heard Some Great Stories From My Russian & Ukrainian Friends That Were Aircraft Mechanics In Military About The TU-95 Bear👍

[@alexxxXXXrus]

Its too loud- aren't heard any words, only subtitles.

[@AliHamdhan]

Saw the tu160, tu95 and tu22m3 up close at MAKS 2015 airshow in moscow, superb soviet engineering

[@cookingwithchefluc7173]

You know when you're sitting at your cousins and you're bored as shit, then Simon comes to bring you some hope with his youtube channels

[@silk1435]

So far since starting watching Simon in 2019, he has launched 4 new channels - Business Blaze, Megaprojects, Sideprojects, Xplrd Keep it up Simon

[@silk1435]

And I forgot about The Casual Criminalist A youtube channel, even if I usually listen rather than watch

[@elias_xp95]

No, I don't know, I never see my cousins.

[@megaprojects9649]

You're welcome. Now gather your family round and bring them into the fold.

[@cookingwithchefluc7173]

@@elias_xp95 Well shut up I wasn't talkin to you

[@truth959]

I've always found this airplane fascinating.

[@penzlic]

I hate when people says "(insert country) stole design" : Aerodynamics principles aren't something that you can steal. but you can take a sneak peek over the fence just to get to them quicker.

[@bluemarlin8138]

It has happened though. The Soviets stole the design of the B-29 from several examples that they interned during WWII. They literally took them apart, reverse-engineered them, and then rolled out a nearly exact copy as the “Tu-4” in 1947. It caused quite an uproar until the US came out with the B-36, B-47, B-52, etc. They also stole nuclear weapons tech from the US.

[@Robert-ff9wf]

The B1 Lancer is a castrated version of what it was originally supposed to be thanks to the Carter administration. The TU160 is its own aircraft, not a copy of the B1. Its very impressive and is what the B1 was supposed to be.

[@Justanotherconsumer]

Thing is, what the B-1 was supposed to be was basically obsolete before it flew. The XB-70 blew the B-1 out of the water on the “high and fast bomber” design. The Gary Powers incident proved that SAMs could handle that easily enough. The Tu-160 is cool, but it’s like bringing a knife to a gun fight - it has uses situationally, but it’s not going to be your primary tool.

[@VisibilityFoggy]

@@Justanotherconsumer - The B-1B added the terrain following radar under the idea that, since altitude no longer would provide protection, a lack of altitude ("under the radar") could. That saved the platform, but since the B-2 was on the way, there was never a need for a large fleet of Bones.

[@ThatCarGuy]

"Its very impressive and is what the B1 was supposed to be." The B1B is better in every way other then speed and rate of climb off the top of my head.

[@edj2022]

@@ThatCarGuy He mentioned in the video that the Tu-160 burns through fuel faster than the B-1. So it's better at that too. Otherwise, that's it.

[@mobiuscoreindustries]

The B-1 was i beleive sucesfully retasked into air defense penetration strikes. Its operational range is insane, its power and large wings allows it to take off from short runways and it can carry an insane array of weapons. From flying so low and so fast that SAMS can't get a beed on it, to being able to carry a disgusting ammount of precision weapons once air defenses are neutralized. Like a B-1 has enough carry capacity to unleash a barrage of SDBs that would require an entire strike force of F-35s to acheive. F-35s used as SEAD and long range AA can easily neutralize or supress defenses long enough for a B-1 and B-2s to eradicate basically every radar and missile site you want, and then switch to high altitude precision bombing to obliterate anything left. A fast large bomber is sure as hell not an outdated or useless concept. Its all fun to have stealth on the side but both china and russia have produces radars capable of defeating stealth aircrafts. putting all your eggs into the same basket isn't going to work, just like how the U-2 and SR-71 would always be destined to be countered and pushed off the skies eventually

[@doctorstrangelove9487]

One of the most beautiful airplanes ever made.

[@andrewgause6971]

Shame it serves such an evil regime.

[@doctorstrangelove9487]

@@andrewgause6971 what regime isn’t evil?

[@andrewgause6971]

@@doctorstrangelove9487 All are self interested. Self interested does not always equate to evil.

[@doctorstrangelove9487]

@@andrewgause6971 if you look deep enough it does except we are fed bullshit of democracy and think we are above it.

[@EEE-1409]

So agree! Truly a work of art.

[@manifestman132]

This beauty even has a galley equipped with a oven (might have missed it if you mentioned it). I love this plane its in my top 5 Soviet/Russian bombers. Even had a micro machine of it as a kid.

[@arsyadidris2919]

Im curious if their airforce (or any airforce) have a rotating crew, considering how long these birds can keep flying. I mean, the Swan has enough fuel onboard for a 16-18 hour flight flying subsonic and can probably increase that to 24hours++ with midair refueling. Does the Tu-160 have a crew cabin so one set of crew fly while the other set take a good nap? I mean, if thats what patrol missions entail - staying airborne for as long as possible - it would make sense to have two crews and decent crew amnities; bed, food n water and toilet being it😅

[@manifestman132]

@@arsyadidris2919 I think some of the maritime patrol aircraft do and I think the B-52 does.

[@50megatondiplomat28]

3:07 - I always thought the Convair Delta Dart was so cool looking when I was a kid. Too bad it had probably been retired for many years by then. On the other hand, I never imagined that the F-15 Eagle would still have been flying when I reached adulthood and new ones are even being built today.

[@VisibilityFoggy]

Delta Dart flew until '88 with the ANG (I believe New Jersey ANG, based in Atlantic City, were the last users) so they overlapped by one year. I doubt an F-106 ever intercepted one. Even today, the Russians seem to do their prodding of U.S. borders with Tu-95s instead of the Tu-160s. They do use the Tu-160 to annoy the U.S. by flying it to Venezuela on occasion. And the U.S. responds by flying the B-1 to northern Europe or Iceland.

[@qewqeqeqwew3977]

Air frames became of less importance as they are already pretty good as it is. Radar, weapons, avionics, system integration are much more important nowadays but they can be fitted on older air frames as well.

[@invertedv12powerhouse77]

@@qewqeqeqwew3977 yes, and all that stuff is a whole lotta shit on its own in terms of money and design

[@colbywood8113]

Not only is it still in service, but it's still one of the fastest fighter jets in the skies today

[@hoopsnbulls2207]

Simon posts an aircraft video, me, cancels all conference calls

[@squeaksvids5886]

This is one of my favourite Soviet era aircraft.

[@anderseckstrand7033]

She’s a gorgeous bird for sure!

[@asl75]

Мне тоже он нравится

[@EEE-1409]

Definitely. I love Tu-95, 114, 144 and 160!

[@theshadowman1398]

The white swan. Gorgeous plane

[@ignitionfrn2223]

2:05 - Chapter 1 - Early concepts 3:35 - Chapter 2 - A show of strength 7:45 - Chapter 3 - The TU160 10:50 - Chapter 4 - Operational history 14:15 - Chapter 5 - The white swan re emerges - Chapter 6 -

[@dennisw8166]

I prefer to just watch it from beginning to end

[@Diego-zz1df]

It appeared precisely at the right time: At the peak of soviet supersonic development (those engines are the evolution of the ones designed for the TU-144) and just before the soviet state went bankrupt, with enough time to start serial production. Had they appeared a bit earlier, they wouldn't have been as advanced, a little later and they wouldn't have been put into production.

[@JAlucard77]

Down right beautiful design. Elegant and sleek

[@Sacto1654]

It was actually quite a feat of engineering considering the Tu-160 is *BIGGER* than even the B-52.

[@ThatCarGuy]

What's crazy is the B1b is smaller and carries around 50,000 pounds more payload then the TU160.

[@cell4224]

@@ThatCarGuy And also slower, built for low altitude penetration into enemy territory with rudimentary stealth, while the TU-160 is built for bombing targets with cruise missiles outside of enemy range. They are completely different aircraft with different doctrines and that is why the payload differs.

[@ThatCarGuy]

@@cell4224 The B1B is better in every way other then top speed and rate of climb. Yes the B1b even has a higher flight ceiling. It also carries cruise missiles for long range stand off attacks... This is why 50,000 pounds of ordinance are mounted on pylons where as the other 75,000 pounds are internal. The B1B is literally a quarter of the size smaller yet still carriers more ordinance... Their " doctrines" have nothing to do with. They don't say well you only launch cruise missiles so you can only carry this much weight despite being a lot larger. The B1B is just a better design.

[@draochvar9646]

@@ThatCarGuy maybe, juuuuust maybe, the fact that the B1 was made to hit a completely different type of target in an entirely different manner just went right over your head? The Tu 160 was positioned and armed to take out large-scale naval formations, using it's high speed to quickly reach operation distance before the opponents fighters could react, nuke/cruise missile everything to shit and then gtfo before the enemy could retaliate. And in order to achieve higher speeds sacrifices have to be made, in the case of the Tu 160 this meant a smaller payload. In exchange, it can move an entire Mach faster than a B -1 and in terms of global-scale warfare, that makes one fuck of a difference. The B - 1's playbook is entirely different, utilizing low altitude insertion to take out strategic enemy positions or to support advancing ground forces. The Tu 160 and the B -1 are different, quite significantly so and to say the B - 1 is the better design because it carries more bombs is just ignorance and reeks of misguided american patriotism. They are different weapons for different purposes, each with their pros and cons. And please, explain how the B - 1's avionics, electronic-warfare/ guidance/communication/navigation systems (the stuff that actually matters) are better than the Tu 160's because that'd mean that you have information on the Tu 160 and the B - 1 (especially in their most modern versions) that's not available to the public.

[@ThatCarGuy]

@@draochvar9646 Why do i always get you trolls. "the fact that the B1 was made to hit a completely different type of target" What are you talking about? They are both made to destroy stationary targets. Both have cruise missiles and bombs. " that makes one fuck of a difference.' So if a giant B52 could somehow go over mach 1, radars wouldn't be able to track it? It's not like we are talking LO aircraft here. Speed means nothing when every radar can see you, especially when you need high altitude and can't hide under the radar horizon. "The B - 1's playbook is entirely different" The B1 has cruise missiles and bombs... You might want to try to at least use google. "The Tu 160 and the B -1 are different" They are literally almost the exact same thing. Hell the B1A was a better TU160 the Russians copied. The B1A was faster, better rate of climb, better payload, etc. But was obsolete before it even flew, hence the B1B.

[@rioSica]

I believe Sukhoi actually won the competition with the T-4MS proposal, but because they had no production bandwidth due mainly to the Su-27 project, plans and production responsibilities were handed over to Tupolev, which then plowed ahead with an updated 160 concept that ultimately yielded the Swan. Your vids are excellent btw!

[@sierravortec2494]

Jesus, can you imagine somebody launching an unarmed ICBM and land it Falcon 9 style in the middle of a major city. Let’s not give them any ideas

[@seanbrazell6147]

That could actually be a useful tactic. The ultra area denial weapon. Russia LOVES area denial weapons.

[@sierravortec2494]

@Autumn Anxiety yea I suppose your right lol

[@thegunslinger1363]

White Swan is a pretty cool name for an aircraft. And could you cover the Øresund Bridge?

[@nightlurker]

A beautiful aircraft and a close second to the beauty of the XB-70 Valkyrie that unfortunately never entered service.

[@AdamIsUrqed]

Looking forward to Cold War Claptrap, Russian Follies, 'Mur'ca, Planes Trains and Automobiles, Absolute Legends, and Fascist Fashions channels added to Simon's KZbin conglomerate.

[@peterj903]

Jesus....!!!! Don't give him any more ideas...!!! I'd like to be able to go outside again one day...!!!! Haven't been outside since 2018....!!! p.s; What's this *Quarantine Thingy* he's talking about...???

[@jed-henrywitkowski6470]

@@peterj903 lol

[@Sir_Glass]

The antarctic land cruisers are a mega project. In fact at least one is still active

[@UncleRayRayGarageEmporium]

Ominously beautiful beast!

[@hondansx1000]

I mean, the B-1 didn't exactly have an easy birth too. Cancelled by the Carter administration only for it to be reborn as a husk of what it could've originally become had they stuck with the B-1A specs

[@Josh-kp8si]

@@Kozak806 I was waiting for someone to mention this. Well said. I'm surprised it wasn't mentioned in the video. It's no secret high speed and high altitude bombers are stuck in 1960.

[@marcperkins248]

Isn't it about time you did a good old british cold war topic in the Avro Vulcan

[@russianhackee]

What, Brits and mega projects? Nah, should do Canadian Avro CF-105 Arrow.

[@watsonlr]

@@russianhackee I believe he has already done the Arrow

[@pewdieslav6303]

"Unless you are Putin" haha you got me😂😂

[@usonumabeach300]

Do the tupelov tu95 and/or the F14 please, and mention the AST-21/ST2010!

[@sam8742]

I feel like I should also note that the UK was very well and truly a proponent of the cold war, so you can stop blaming the US and USSR entirely.

[@djfhsusbruh6698]

When has UK not been a jerk. **Rule Britannia intensifies.**

[@ТимофейТимофеев-т9м]

A beautiful plane and waving its wings like a swan!

[@khathaway414]

When is your next channel coming out Simon?

[@c4USSR72]

Yes, because Simon doesn't post videos, he posts channels

[@khathaway414]

@@c4USSR72 Maybe we shouldn't encourage him.

[@c4USSR72]

@@khathaway414 I mean he has Sunday free. What I suppose to do on Sunday without Simon's work

[@shenmisheshou7002]

The upgraded TU-160 (M2 version) is now in production. While the US focused on stealth, the TU-160 was never intended to be a penetration bomber. From the start, it was a standoff missile delivery platform. The TU-160 never enters enemy airspace. The Russians knew that this was not a realistic mission (as did Jimmy Carter when he correctly killed the B1).

[@kxuydhj]

"in a world where there is, thankfully, just not that much to bomb." boy did that one age gracefully...

[@pocok5000]

F

[@mgabrysSF]

The Tsar bomb was a bit of a goof - the reason the yield was dialed back was because the designers calculated (correctly) that the explosion would have 2X the force, but the same footprint. If you read the (highly recommended) book 'Dark Sun' by Richard Rhodes - it notes that the force of the blast launched a chunk of the upper atmosphere into space. Double the yield wouldn't increase that chunk but rather send it into space at twice the speed. How valuable a 100mt explosion is debatable unless you're into atmospheric launches and deeper craters at ground zero (that were otherwise nearly the same perimeter of the 50mt one).

[@kiwi_commander]

I love when Business Blaze Simon makes an appearance in other channels 😊

[@damasek219]

Such a beautiful aircraft, and excellent too, very well designed. Sort of a rare combination in USSR where they never paid too much attention to usefulness, practicality and efficiency as much as to ostentatious and spectacular show of power, speed, size and all sorts of records, which was evidenced by their crazy and wild designs of both architecture and machinery with very little regard for cost effectiveness. One of the reasons why the whole system got bankrupt. Still you have to appreciate the technical marvel.

[@sjgerber]

2 Visisted us in South Africa last year - insane

[@KWMQ]

I'm pissed as hell I missed that.

[@WayneKitching]

I remember. Unfortunately I didn't see them. Unfortunately, many in the SA government are way too cozy with the Russians.

[@cookingwithchefluc7173]

Awe I'm also from South Africa ✌✌🇿🇦🇿🇦

[@EricDKaufman]

I love the B1-B Bone. When one of those would take off from Tinker AFB in Moore, OK, and buzz OU Campus with full afterburners (yes they did this time to time) it was INCREDIBLE!!! The stone and mortar buildings of academia would shake with the thunder of those 4 Pratt & Whitney Turbojets. Remember, they weaponized supersonic, low altitude, fly bys in Afganistan with this plane.... such was the psychological damage it caused evn to the most hardened Talibania. Truly amazing. But even I must admit the TU-160 has the Bone beat. Well done Russia.

[@drmattconrad77]

Could you do a video on Amundsen-Scott Station at the South Pole?

[@patrickhaller669]

It's a beautiful aircraft design and a very impressive weapon platform. It might be worth adding that the Tu160 was mainly intended to perform long range anti ship patrols over the Noth Atlantic disrupting resupply chains and destroying naval task forces with massive antiship missile strikes, an operational role which required such impressive range and weapons loadout. Since for such long ranges no fighter would be capable to escord them they needed to be supersonic to rush in and run away fast enough to escape from enemy supersonic fighter jets

[@EAcapuccino]

Oh my you actually did it! I suggested this about 4 months ago I think After you presented the B1lancer. good choice 👏👏

[@KWMQ]

09:00 Just an observation on the units referred to. LBF in this context would not be pound-feet, which is a measurement of torque and not applicable in this context. Here it would more correctly refer to pound-force, although the term usually used is pounds of thrust.

[@Tunechi_Lee]

Think of all the content the cold war has given to you. It is practically the bread and butter of your 137 seperate KZbin channels.

[@joesantos7085]

Simon the hardest working man on KZbin how many channels do you have now 5 or 6 dam man do you actually take sundays off it doesn't seem like it im always finding new channels your doing.

[@frank1fm634]

"Excuse please"as Charlie Chaplin would say.America had the first supersonic bomber.The delta wing B-58 bomber which carried an external 22,000 gallon external fuel tank.

[@NavyVet4955]

The Hustler was one of the most beautiful planes ever built. That supersonic ejection system they put in it was crazy.

[@leokimvideo]

B1ski, just beautiful

[@adrianwarner8686]

*Watches video whilst keeping an eye open for the Blaze notification*

[@joseybryant7577]

BB is the most pure way to experience Simon Whistler

[@megaprojects9649]

@@joseybryant7577 Pure like the best cocaine.

[@jed-henrywitkowski6470]

3:29 the calming music juxtaposed to the mushroom cloud from the detonation of a nuclear weapon was a nice touch.

[@sanda3883]

That conclusion aged well

[@mikeygallos5000]

You rest on Sundays, except for yesterday, with a TIFO video released. Simon is releasing so much content, Netflix might go out of business :-)

[@fuze5983]

b787 plz

[@michaelm587]

Simon, I don't know how long it's been this way, but your beard is epic.

[@albertarthurparsnips5141]

It looks brilliant. For a clear comparison, to put its lush strength into proper perspective, go back to his videos from, say, 2019, to see what looks like a weeks growth.

[@niceguyeddy9229]

Wow the Soviets,they built so many good things. Especially sinks😀👍👍👊

[@infinitespace8313]

Bald and Bankrupt would agree

[@pegging640]

@@infinitespace8313 Thats the bloody joke

[@Dr.RichardBanks]

I hear they have a good union.

[@ChrisTian-ed8ol]

Ironically they've made so many innovative designs and tech, if they hadn't given up on so much of it, they'd have had a spectacular military industrial complex.

[@Dr.RichardBanks]

@@ChrisTian-ed8ol one can only dream

[@firefightergoggie]

A lot of people think these "records" are impressive, but they're evidence of how far behind the USSR was in aerospace technology when compared to western nations. The reason why is was so big was because the Soviets didn't have the advanced metallurgic, digital or propulsion technology to make the aircraft more condense or efficient. It had to be big to carry the huge, inefficient engines to propel it to high speeds. It had to be huge because of the analogue computers it had to use to manage its weapon, navigation, flight control and engine systems. It had to be huge to carry the massive amounts of fuel for those inefficient engines. It had to be huge to haul the massive, 60's era radar in it's nose. It had a LOT of weight to carry. This is why it's so big. It was twenty years behind the times when it was built.

[@winglessviper]

Nice to see B-1B "Polarized". Worked her back in 93-94.

[@stefanwilliams1687]

Thanks Simon, so interesting, what a beast of a machine, I was more familiar with the B1 now I know about this beast

[@stoic521]

Love the cats. Your meme game is top notch, sir.

[@fredrickbeondo8695]

5:42 - 5:52 This might be the most convoluted aphorism I have ever heard, and yet I totally get it LOL

[@Sh_rib]

I've asked this before, but an idea for a megaproject, the Essex class aircraft carriers

[@Gersti96]

Simon.....dou you have a time turner? How else could you make 3 videos per week for 10 channels?

[@AlexKolman]

Great videos Simon, I enjoy each second of them :) Any chance you could cover Sukhoi Su-34? Regards and keep the good work!

[@alexk.1523]

In Russia we named SU-34 - a Duck. Great fighter and bomber!!!

[@tararaboomdiay7442]

Fun Fact: The first TU-160 was photographed early on parked next to a TU-144. Since the exact dimensions of the Charger were well known, this permitted Western analysts to determine the size of the TU-160. It's still not known if this was intentional on the Soviets' part.

[@MianCowell]

I lost it at "dropping a bomb on the cake shop"

[@gooner72]

It might be all of those statistics.... the largest, the heaviest, the fastest etc..etc....BUT..... it has a smaller combat payload than the smaller American B-1B. To start with, they are designed for 2 totally different roles so you can't really compare them, secondly.... the TU-160 carries it's impressive 45 metric tonnes payload internally but the B-1 carries it's 57 metric tonnes both internally and externally. What I love about the TU-160 is the way she looks, she is absolutely stunning to look at and is so graceful in flight. A real classic design, Tupolev and the Russian people should be seriously proud of this beautiful aircraft.

[@karoltakisobie6638]

You skipped over Tu-22 and Tu-22M4? Without them there probably wouldn't be B-1B or Tu-160.

[@N1lav]

2:25 Incoming Freedom for any oil-rich countries.

[@rajatsinha6607]

Tu 160 specifications Speed: yes Weight: yes Thrust: yes Weapons load: yes!

[@peregreena9046]

Actually, according to Simon, the engines have torque, rather than thrust. The unit given for engine performance should be "pound-force" not "pound-feet".

[@bruceb44]

Stealth: No

[@BerdnikovMedia]

Great video, really liking the way you delivered this one!

[@markstott6689]

Like the B1 B it's an impressive bit of kit. Can't see it surviving too long against a half competent airforce. Not sure why seeing as it's obsolete, but I prefer the Tu 95 Bear. Maybe There's something romantic about turbo props in the jet age?

[@VisibilityFoggy]

It wouldn't survive in contested airspace, and neither would the B-1B. But they are excellent missile trucks and potentially good launch platforms for hypersonic missiles. The only strategic bomber that could conceivably take off from its home country, deliver a nuclear strike and return home is the B-2. Russia has plans for a stealth bomber of some type (Tupolev PAK-DA) but the funding just doesn't seem to be there.

[@markstott6689]

@@VisibilityFoggy I totally agree with you. Low level flight over the pole towards northern Canada and release cruise missiles aimed at northern US states is the way to use them. As for a Russian stealth bomber and money: unless the price of their oil and gas skyrocketed and stayed high, they would struggle to pay for much that Putin would like in his arsenal. Whether that be a stealth bomber, 5th Gen fighter or the Armata tank.

[@Humbulla93]

@@VisibilityFoggy why would russia need a stealth bomber to carry nuclear bombs if they have the sarmat?

[@VisibilityFoggy]

@@Humbulla93 Because in all likelihood, if it's anything remotely resembling the quality of other post-Soviet technical developments, it either doesn't exist or doesn't work. China is the pacing threat, not Russia.

[@copetimusmaximus3363]

Cope and seethe🤓

[@RedaGio]

Ideas for new videos: Palmanova Venice Messina Strait bridge Misc Italian renaissance cities: Bologna, Milan, Pavia, Urbino… European fighter jets: Tornado, Typhoon, Tempest Leopard tanks

[@suricatakat6476]

Wow, the TU-160 is a gorgeous plane. Kind of a beautiful mix between the Concord, B1 bomber, and F14A Tomcat. Also, cheers to Russia and China (and of course, my country of the USA) for doing their part to escalate the next cold war arms race. Woo!

[@RockandRollWoman]

Wish I'd found your channel while my dad was still alive - we would have loved watching together!

[@TeamLegacyFTW]

You always seem to update right after I smoke a bowl🤔

[@thetangieman3426]

That's surely a sign to smoke another. At least, it is where I come from.

[@fredgervinm.p.3315]

Perfect timing...

[@HeyGoogle-gt8oc]

Mig 31, tu 160, su 27, mig 29. 80s in soviet union were amazing

[@matthewcombs5387]

Simon, do the US Ex Ex

[@ephor4095]

B1ski is a pretty ship, and quite recognizable, when we saw it every day (and 22Ms sometimes) above UK and French shores before Ukraine...

[@akizeta]

"Meanwhile, back in the USSR..." I see what you did there, you long-haired Beatles fan, you.

[@Tango246]

I'm liking the vertical integration you're doing.

[@camdenharper7244]

DO. THE. X-15. DAMMIT

[@jokensy101]

The guy getting a$$ f*cked by his own rocket at 3:54 is the funniest thing I've seen in a while 😂 😂 😂 🤣

[@kupariusa4202]

"The Ukraine." It's just "Ukraine". It's not "The Canada" or "The Norway."

[@VisibilityFoggy]

I never got why people call it that...

[@zahrans]

Um, in the case of Ukraine it's perfectly acceptable to use both

[@fixman88]

@@zahrans I always thought Ukraine referred to the country specifically and The Ukraine referred to the region.

[@jbeach9402]

Have their cake and drop a bomb on the cake shop so no one else can have cake comment was hilarious! Thank you Simon, you make these videos amazing! Also, thank you to your production staff, they are are always on point.

[@MPANGA101]

The great Soviet aviation design and engineering.

[@milutinke]

800 different design bureaus and production plants Now that is what I call a mega project

[@arrant638]

This meant that 800 enterprises of the USSR were engaged in the production of aircraft parts. Up to 5 design bureaus participated in the competition