Tu-16 | |
---|---|
A Tu-16 in flight over USS Hewitt (circa 1978) | |
Role | Strategic bomber |
National origin | Soviet Union |
Manufacturer | Voronezh Aircraft Production Association[1] |
Designer | Tupolev |
First flight | 27 April 1952 |
Introduction | 1954 |
Status | Discontinued, in limited service |
Primary users | Russian Air Force Egyptian Air Force (historical) Iraqi Air Force (historical) Indonesian Air Force (historical) |
Produced | 1952–1962 |
Number built | 1,509 |
Variants | Tupolev Tu-104 Tupolev Tu-124 Xian H-6 |
The Tupolev Tu-16 (USAF/DOD reporting name Type 39;[2] NATO reporting name: Badger)[3] is a twin-engined jet strategic heavy bomber used by the Soviet Union. It has been flown for almost 70 years. While many aircraft in Soviet service were retired after the Cold War ended, the Chinese license-built version Xian H-6 remains in service with the People's Liberation Army Air Force, with more being built as of 2020[update].[4]