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Welcome in Tziganie #17

Courrier des Balkans - dim, 28/04/2024 - 23:59

Présentation du Festival :
Depuis 16 ans, Welcome in Tziganie a grandi, se bâtissant une réputation en France comme référence des musiques tziganes et des Balkans.
En cette année 2024, le festival va célébrer les dix ans de festival au Théâtre de verdure du Soleil d'Or.
Notre festival semblait fait pour se rencontrer avec ce cadre enchanteur et forger ce qui est devenu plus qu'un simple événement musical : une ôde à la liberté, au dialogue culturel, et au vivre-ensemble.
Née de (...)

- Agenda
Catégories: Balkans Occidentaux

Salonique, « Jérusalem des Balkans », 1870-1920. La donation Pierre de Gigord

Courrier des Balkans - dim, 21/04/2024 - 23:59

Ville cosmopolite, comme d'autres grands ports du Levant, Salonique – la Thessalonique grecque sous l'Empire ottoman – fut longtemps une cite juive ou les commerçants, toutes confessions confondues, fermaient le samedi et durant les fêtes juives. Les 150 œuvres de l'exposition du mahJ restituent l'histoire de Salonique de la seconde moitié du XIXe siècle à la fin de la Première Guerre mondiale.
Le don de près de 400 photographies et documents au mahJ par Pierre de Gigord, grand (...)

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Catégories: Balkans Occidentaux

Embarquement pour Delos. 150 ans de fouilles dans l'île d'Apollon

Courrier des Balkans - sam, 30/03/2024 - 23:59

Réputée pour avoir été le lieu de naissance d'Apollon et de sa sœur Artémis, Délos est une île sacrée pour les anciens Grecs, et une terre aride, battue par les vents des Cyclades. Organisée autour d'un vaste sanctuaire qui se développe progressivement à partir de l'époque archaïque, la ville connaît une période d'intense croissance urbaine, démographique et économique à partir du milieu du IIème siècle av. J.-C., date à laquelle l'île est déclarée port franc, exempté de taxes.
Vont (...)

- Agenda
Catégories: Balkans Occidentaux

Exposition Marko Velk

Courrier des Balkans - sam, 23/03/2024 - 23:59

La Galerie municipale Julio Gonzalez à Arcueil présente du 19 janvier au 23 mars 2024 l'exposition de Marko Velk ou le noir et blanc domine.
Adepte de grands formats et de fusain (le plus ancien outil de dessin de l'humanité), l'artiste dépasse l'austérité associée à ce petit bout de charbon qui sert habituellement à faire les esquisses, pour nous emmener très loin. Loin dans son imaginaire.
Marko Velk est né en Yougoslavie (Split, Croatie) en 1969. Il vit et travaille à Arcueil. (...)

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Catégories: Balkans Occidentaux

Warm'up Welcome In Tziganie 2024 : Haidouti orkestar/ DJ Baba Raspopov

Courrier des Balkans - ven, 22/03/2024 - 23:59

Faut-il encore présenter le Haïdouti Orkestar ? Installé dans le paysage musical international depuis bientôt une double décennie, cette fanfare de « brigands » aux grands cœurs redistribue des trésors venus des Balkans et d'Orient. Cuivres flamboyants, percussions éclatantes, accordéon virtuose, voix suave et danses sensuelles, Haïdouti Orkestar est un brass band qui depuis 17 ans, pérégrine aux confins des Balkans, de la Turquie et de l'Orient. Imaginez les énergies croisées d'un turc, (...)

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Catégories: Balkans Occidentaux

Riz et légumes secs – Algérie : les marges plafonnées (Journal officiel)

Algérie 360 - ven, 15/03/2024 - 01:56

Le décret exécutif qui concerne le plafonnement des marges bénéficiaires appliquées au riz et aux légumes secs vient d’être publié. Celui-ci figure dans le 17e […]

L’article Riz et légumes secs – Algérie : les marges plafonnées (Journal officiel) est apparu en premier sur .

Catégories: Afrique

The F-35 Just Made History: Full-Scale Production Begins

The National Interest - ven, 15/03/2024 - 00:30

Summary: The F-35 Lightning II, a stealth fighter jet, received Pentagon approval for full-scale production on March 12, marking a significant milestone for the program. Under Secretary of Defense William LaPlante praised the decision, which signals the program's stability and readiness to fulfill nearly 3,500 orders across its three versions. Despite this achievement, the program faces challenges with delivering the aircraft. Technical issues and manpower shortages have halted deliveries, despite Lockheed Martin producing at normal rates. The awaited TR-3 software update, crucial for new munitions and enhanced capabilities, further complicates deliveries. The Department of Defense may accept aircraft with older software to ensure timely fulfillment, underscoring the jet's critical role in national security.

F-35 Lightning II Hits Production Milestone: What Lies Ahead for the Stealth Fighter?

The F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jet achieved another major milestone after the Pentagon approved full-scale production on March 12. 

“This is a major achievement for the F-35 program,” Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment William LaPlante said in a press release.

Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer, is now cleared hot to meet the vast demand for the aircraft from the U.S. military and from dozens of foreign partners. In total, there are almost 3,500 orders for the three iterations of the F-35, with several additional countries waiting to enter the program and submit their own orders. 

“This decision — backed by my colleagues in the department — highlights to the services, F-35 cooperative program partners, and Foreign Military Sales customers that the F-35 is stable and agile, and that all statutory and regulatory requirements have been appropriately addressed,” LaPlante added.

The F-35 Lightning II is the most advanced fighter jet in the skies today. A multi-role, fifth-generation stealth aircraft, the F-35 Lightning II comes in three versions (A, B, C) and can operate from the ground, from aircraft carriers, and in expeditionary conditions. 

Full-scale production approval is an important milestone, but it is of limited practical value. There are some serious issues with the production of the F-35 that largely negate the effect of the Pentagon’s announcement. 

What’s Up with F-35 Deliveries? 

Deliveries of F-35s have largely been halted. In its February fast facts on the F-35 program, Lockheed Martin indicated “990+” deliveries. More than a month later, in the March fast facts, the manufacturing company displays the exact same number of deliveries. To make matters more complicated, Lockheed Martin announced a few months ago that it reached the 1,000-aircraft milestone in production. 

Lockheed Martin has been producing aircraft at normal rates (approximately 158 aircraft a year) but isn’t delivering them, because technical issues and manpower shortages are delaying necessary software updates for the manufactured aircraft. 

Specifically, Lockheed Martin has been trying to roll out the TR-3 update, which includes upgrades to the F-35’s onboard digital infrastructure, data storage and processing capabilities, and user interface. In addition, the TR-3 will allow the fifth-generation stealth fighter to carry new air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions, as well as pack better sensors and cyber warfare countermeasures. 

If that wasn’t enough to complicate the situation, the F-35 Program is waiting for yet another major upgrade (Block 4) that cannot go through until the TR-3 software is ready. Block 4 is an important milestone in the F-35 program, and it will ensure that the stealth fighter is ready to fight and prevail in a contested near-peer operational environment. 

Although Lockheed Martin expects the issues with the TR-3 software to be resolved this year – within the summer according to some estimates – the Department of Defense is considering accepting deliveries of the aircraft with the older TR-2 software. 

Smooth and timely deliveries of the F-35 are a national security issue, as the fifth-generation fighter jet can make the difference in a potential conflict with a near-peer adversary. 

About the Author

Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP. Email the author: Editor@nationalinterest.org.

Image Credit: Shutterstock. 

Nimitz-Class Aircraft Carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower is Unstoppable

The National Interest - ven, 15/03/2024 - 00:14

Key Point: The United States Navy's USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) is actually the second oldest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in service in the world today and is currently scheduled to be replaced around 2029 when the new Gerald R. Ford-class supercarrier USS Enterprise (CVN-80) enters service. That is already later than the originally planned 2028 retirement for the CVN-69.

However, last year the U.S. Navy extended the service life of the second oldest Nimitz-class vessel as the Ford-class vessels are running late. The USS Nimitz (CVN-68) is currently on track to be retired in 2026 – and the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower could even remain in service into the early 2030s.

Mark Cancian, a retired Marine colonel now a senior adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C., told Stars & Stripes on Thursday that keeping the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower beyond the original timeline for its retirement gives the Navy flexibility.

"It would help avoid that gap between when you plan on retiring the Eisenhower and when the Kennedy and other Ford-class carriers are ready to deploy," he explained, adding, "There is tension if you retire carriers on time and there are delays with replacements. You could end up with 10 carriers instead of 11 or 12. To be fair to the Navy, the president is always going to call on them to go anywhere in the world."

That point was made clear last October when President Joe Biden ordered the Eisenhower to the Middle East to support the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) following the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel. Since last fall, CVN-69 has been in the Red Sea – joined by the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea and guided-missile destroyers USS Gravely and USS Mason to stop Houthi missile attacks on shipping. The carrier strike group remains in the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East region.

Aircraft Carrier Late Arrivals

Extending the older carriers may be necessary as the U.S. Navy's future carriers may be late in arriving. The USS Gerald R. Ford had been originally scheduled for delivery in 2015, only to be pushed back to May 2017. Her first full overseas deployment was only last year – and she is next expected to head to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for a $182.2 million electrical upgrade.

Moreover, two other Nimitz-class carriers, the USS George Washington (CVN-73) and USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) are currently "out-of-service" at Naval Station Norfolk, Norfolk, Virginia – with the former completing her four-year Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) that began in August 2017. The latter vessel is next up for the scheduled RCOH, which will be completed sometime by the end of the decade.

Be Like Aircraft Carrier Ike

The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower – "Ike" to its crew – is the second of the ten Nimitz-class carriers in service with the Navy today. Named to honor the 34th president of the U.S. and General of the Army, the ship has remained in service for more than four decades.

Congress authorized CVN-69 in 1970, which it later commissioned seven years later. Following more than a year of fleet training, Ike was deployed to the Mediterranean. The mighty shift underwent a major overhaul to be fitted with newer technology in the mid-1980s and was later released back into the waters by 1987.

Over its lengthy service history, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower has been deployed to a litany of combat operations. The ship’s first deployment was dubbed Operation Eagle Claw during the 1980 Iran hostage crisis. One of the carrier's most notable deployments took place during Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990. CVN-69 made history when she became the second nuclear-powered carrier ever to transit the Suez Canal.

Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: Editor@nationalinterest.org. 

La vie à venir / Exposition de Lyuben Petrov

Courrier des Balkans - jeu, 14/03/2024 - 23:59

Lyuben Petrov travaille dans le domaine de la peinture figurative. Il est né en 1984 à Bourgas, en Bulgarie. Il commence sa formation à l'Académie des Beaux Arts de Sofia, dans la spécialité "Fresque" avant de s'installer à Brno, en République Tchèque où il vit et travaille aujourd'hui.
Petrov définit son style comme "du réalisme expressif" et ses œuvres sont marquées par la force de l'image et par une coloration vigoureuse. Il s'inspire de la mythologie, la pop culture et la satire (...)

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Catégories: Balkans Occidentaux

Heures de l’imsak et de l’iftar du vendredi 5 Ramadan (15 mars 2024)

Algérie 360 - jeu, 14/03/2024 - 23:38

Le mois sacré de Ramadan 2024 est là ! C’est une période de jeûne, de prière et de réflexion pour les musulmans du monde entier. Pour […]

L’article Heures de l’imsak et de l’iftar du vendredi 5 Ramadan (15 mars 2024) est apparu en premier sur .

Catégories: Afrique

Alaska-Class: The U.S. Navy's Last Battlecruisers Were Powerhouses

The National Interest - jeu, 14/03/2024 - 23:09

Summary: Before Alaska's statehood, the U.S. Navy embarked on an ambitious project to construct a new class of battlecruisers, the Alaska-class, in honor of the territory. Initially planned as a six-ship fleet, only two, the USS Alaska and USS Guam, were completed. These vessels emerged in response to the evolving naval threats of the 1930s, aiming to counter the German "pocket battleships" and rumored Japanese large cruisers. The Alaska-class, notably larger than existing cruisers, marked a departure from the limitations set by the Washington Naval Treaty, showcasing a significant leap in naval armament and design. Built by the New York Shipbuilding Corporation, these ships were equipped with formidable weaponry, including nine 12-inch guns and a plethora of secondary armaments, making them far more powerful than their predecessors.

Changing Tides: How the Alaska-Class Battlecruisers Shaped Naval Warfare

Before Alaska officially became a state, the U.S. Navy designed a new fleet of battlecruisers that it named in the territory's honor. 

Six ships were initially planned for the class, but only two were built. The lead ship of the class, the USS Alaska, was laid down in 1941, followed by the USS Guam. These ships were designated as battlecruisers when they were introduced into service, since they were much larger than the Navy’s existing cruisers at the time.

The origins of the Alaska class can be traced back to the early 1930s. The Navy prioritized the construction of vessels capable of going up against Nazi Germany’s Deutschland-class cruisers, known as “pocket battleships.” Imperial Japan at the time was also rumored to be developing a new large cruiser class. Due to the guidelines outlined in the interwar periods under the Washington Naval Treaty, prior ship classes designed by the U.S., Britain, Japan, France, and Italy had been limited to 10,000 tons of displacement. But larger ships were returning to the seas.

Both Alaska and Guam were built by the New York Shipbuilding Corporation. Construction of the third ship in the class, Hawaii, was canceled in 1947 when she was roughly 84% complete. The remaining three ships that were planned – the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Samoa, were eventually canceled. 

The Alaska and Guam never fulfilled their planned roles. After Imperial Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, the U.S. Navy shifted its focus to the development of aircraft carriers.

Introducing USS Alaska

The Alaska measured roughly 808 feet long, with a beam length of 91 feet. The hefty battlecruiser displaced 29,779 long tons, and more than 34,000 tons at full load. 

Since the Alaska was much larger than her predecessors, she was able to sport a more formidable armament. The battlecruiser was armed with a main battery of nine 12-inch L/50 Mark 8 guns in three triple gun turrets. A secondary battery consisting of twelve 5-inch L/38 dual-purpose guns in six twin turrets was also incorporated. As detailed by National World War II Museum curator James Linn, “Standard American heavy cruiser design, like the 673 feet-long, 14,500-ton Baltimore-class, were armed with (9) 8” guns, (12) 5” guns, and (24) 20mm guns. By comparison, the Alaska’s were 808 feet-long and weighed 29,771 tons. They were armed with (9) 12” guns, (12) 5” guns, (56) 40mm guns, and (34) 20mm guns.”

Alaska-Class: Service History

Following her commissioning, the USS Alaska sailed toward Hampton Roads before beginning her shakedown cruise in the Chesapeake Bay. She then returned to the Philadelphia Navy Yard to be fitted with the new Mk 57 fire control directors for her 5-inch guns. Alaska would sail for Hawaii in 1945 where the ship would be assigned to Task Group 12.2 based out of Pearl Harbor. Alaska, alongside her sister ship Guam, was tasked with providing anti-aircraft defense for the Navy’s carriers.

The Alaska first saw combat in the Second World War in March 1945 when she participated in airstrikes over Okinawa. Japan launched a massive Kamikaze attack during this battle. 

Subsequent events have been outlined by Naval Encyclopedia: “When USS Franklin was badly damaged by bomb hits and a kamikaze, USS Alaska and USS Guam, now in the same unit, as well as two other cruisers and destroyers were detached, forming 58.2.9 in order to escort the crippled Franklin to Ulithi. They were attacked and USS Alaska claimed another D4Y. It happened that gunfire from one of her 5-inch guns accidentally caused flash burns on several men nearby which became her only casualties of war. She became fighter director due to her better air search radar, vectoring fighters in interception along the way, and downed a Kawasaki Ki-45 Toryu.”

In the later days of the war, the Alaska was assigned to Cruiser Task Force 95. Overall, the battlecruiser was awarded three battle stars for her performance during the war. By the end of the 1950s, the Navy considered converting Alaska and Guam into guided missile cruisers. However, the costly nature of such a conversion was nixed by the service. The Alaska was officially stricken from the Naval Vessel Registrar in 1960 and was broken up for scrap.

About the Author: Maya Carlin

Maya Carlin, National Security Writer with The National Interest, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has by-lines in many publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin.

Email the author or contact us: Editor@nationalinterest.org

Putin's Ukraine Nuclear War Threats Must Be Taken Seriously

The National Interest - jeu, 14/03/2024 - 22:54

Summary: The escalating nuclear threat from Russia, accentuated by its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, puts a spotlight on President Vladimir Putin's unpredictable demeanor and alarming rhetoric on nuclear weaponry. With election season underway in Russia, Putin's assured re-election is being promoted through a media blitz, despite the nation's corrupt political landscape rendering it almost unnecessary. Putin's boast about Russia's superior nuclear triad, capable of launching nuclear weapons from ground, air, and sea, underscores a formidable deterrence strategy. These assertions are not taken lightly, as the Kremlin has issued credible nuclear threats against Ukraine and the West since the conflict's inception on February 24, 2022.

Global Alert: The Realities of Russia's Nuclear Strategy Under Putin's Regime

The large-scale invasion of Ukraine showed that Russian President Vladimir Putin is unhinged and unpredictable. So when he starts talking about nuclear weapons, Putin’s words might not be completely empty. 

Putin's Nuclear Threats

It is election season in Russia, and Putin is going on a media spree to bolster his image – though in the country’s corrupt political system, it’s rather unnecessary. His re-election for another six years is certain. 

During one of his media appearances, Putin spoke about the Russian nuclear triad. 

“Our triad, the nuclear triad, it is more modern than any other triad. Only we and the Americans actually have such triads. And we have advanced much more here,” the Russian leader said in an interview on Russian state television. 

When referring to the “triad,” Putin was talking about the capability of some nuclear powers to launch nuclear weapons from the ground, air, and sea. The ability to launch nukes from these three domains creates the best possible deterrence, as it ensures a second strike in the event of a surprise attack. 

For example, if Russia attacked the United States with intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) carrying nuclear warheads, the U.S. military would be able to respond with a nuclear strike from its submarines, which patrol around the world nonstop with nukes at the ready. During the Cold War, when tensions with the Soviet Union were sky-high, the U.S. Air Force had strategic bombers armed with nuclear weapons flying 24/7, ready to strike back in the event of a surprise Soviet attack. 

If it works properly, a nuclear triad is unbeatable and lets the other side know that a surprise first strike would not go unpunished. 

The Kremlin has repeatedly threatened Ukraine and the West with nuclear warfare since Russia invaded on February 24, 2022. These are credible threats. The U.S. intelligence community even prepared assessments for a possible Russian tactical nuclear strike somewhere in Ukraine. 

But how many nuclear weapons does Russia have?

The Russian Nuclear Weapons Arsenal 

The Russian military possesses the largest nuclear arsenal in the world. While estimates vary, the Kremlin probably has around 5,600 nuclear warheads of all sizes and destructive power. 

The Strategic Rocket Forces, a separate branch of the Russian military, is responsible for maintaining and operating Moscow’s ground-launched nuclear weapons. Western estimates suggest that Russia has over 300 ICBMs that can be matched with about 1,200 nuclear warheads.

When it comes to the maritime component of the Russian nuclear triad, the Russian Navy has 11 ballistic missile submarines (Delta, Kilo, and Borei class subs) that can each carry about 16 ballistic missiles equipped with nuclear warheads.

Finally, the air leg of the Russian nuclear triad includes Tu-160 Blackjack and Tu-95MS Bear long-range strategic bombers that can carry air-launched cruise missiles equipped with nuclear warheads. The Russian Aerospace Forces are also working on a new bomber, the PAK DA, which is expected to have some sort of stealth capabilities. 

About the Author

Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP. Email the author: Editor@nationalinterest.org.

Image Credit: Shutterstock. 

Podcast: The U.S.-Israel Rift Over Gaza (w/ Greg Priddy)

The National Interest - jeu, 14/03/2024 - 22:41

As the U.S. announces plans to build a humanitarian aid port in Gaza, a confrontation now brews between the Biden administration and the Netanyahu government over Palestinian refugees. Can President Biden forestall an Israeli military offensive into the border city of Rafah? In this episode, Jacob Heilbrunn speaks with Greg Priddy, a Senior Fellow for the Middle East at the Center for the National Interest. Priddy previously served as Director for Global Oil at Eurasia Group.

The U.S.-Israel Rift Over Gaza (w/ Greg Priddy)

His recent piece “Joe Biden’s Gaza Port Initiative Can’t Hide U.S.-Israel Discord” appears in The National Interest.

Image Credit: Joe Biden/Creative Commons. 

Russia's 'New' Tu-160M2 Blackjack Bomber Can Hit Mach 2

The National Interest - jeu, 14/03/2024 - 22:37

Summary: Russia is upgrading its Tu-160 Blackjack bomber, known as the Tu-160M2, with a production relaunch in Kazan. This strategic bomber, the world’s largest, heaviest, and fastest, will see improvements in armament, electronic warfare systems, and onboard equipment. Despite its impressive capabilities, including Mach 2 speed and powerful Kuznetsov NK-32 engines, the original Tu-160 faced maintenance issues. The Tu-160M's impact on Russia’s military efforts, particularly in Ukraine, remains uncertain, given the country's history of delayed military deliveries. This modernization effort highlights Russia's intent to enhance its strategic aerial capabilities amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Tu-160M2 Upgrade: Russia's Answer to Modern Warfare Demands

Russia is working to upgrade its Tu-160 Blackjack bomber, the largest and heaviest aircraft in the world capable of Mach 2 flight. 

The upgraded Tu-160, known as the Tu-160M2, will be built at a relaunched production line in Kazan.

But will the updates address the maintenance problems that plagued the original? And will the aircraft make a meaningful contribution to Russia’s hampered war effort in Ukraine?

Introducing the Tu-160

Known to NATO as the “White Swan,” the Tu-160 Blackjack is a supersonic, variable-sweep wing nuclear-capable heavy strategic bomber and airborne missile platform

Designed by the Tupolev Design Bureau, the Tu-160 was introduced in 1987, shortly before the fall of the Soviet Union. Only the experimental American XB-70 Valkyrie was a longer or faster bomber. 

Nearly four decades after its design, the Tu-160 is still the largest and heaviest combat aircraft in use anywhere in the world. It is the fastest bomber in service and the largest and heaviest variable-sweep wing airplane ever flown.

To propel such a heavy airframe, the Tu-160 relies on four Kuznetsov NK-32 afterburning turbofan engines, which happen to be the most powerful engines ever fitted to a combat aircraft.

About 30% of the Tu-160’s airframe is built from titanium, a lightweight and uncommonly strong alloy, yet the jet weighs about 110 tons when empty. The swing-wing hinge alone weighs about six tons.

Four crew members are needed to pilot the Tu-160 – a pilot, co-pilot, bombardier, and defensive systems operator. Each crew member sits in a K-36LM ejection seat, which is found in several Soviet/Russian aircraft.

The Tu-160 was one of the last weapons systems delivered to the Soviet Union. When the USSR fell, Kyiv inherited half of the Soviet’s fleet of Tu-160s, which happened to be stationed in Ukraine. Russia negotiated to purchase back a portion of the lost bombers, while the remaining airframes were scrapped.

The Ukrainian jets represented a significant portion of the total Tu-160s, as the jet was never produced in mass numbers. Until modernization efforts were undertaken, only nine test airframes and 27 serially produced airframes had ever flown.  

Tu-160M: Upgrading the White Swan

Last year, the Kremlin announced that the Tu-160M had entered trials with the Russian Defense Ministry.

“The first upgraded protype of the Tu-160M strategic missile-carrying bomber developed by the Tupolev Public Company has entered the program of state joint trials,” the United Aircraft Corporation, a state-owned company, said.

The newest version of the Tu-160 is being offered with notable upgrades to the armament, electronic warfare systems, and onboard radio-electronic equipment. The first Tu-160M with upgraded equipment began a factory test in December 2021, shortly before Russian President Vladimir Putin directed his forces to invade Ukraine.

The new production push could result in upward of 50 new Tu-160M aircraft being delivered to the Russian air force.

However, Russian weapons manufacturers don’t have the most reliable track record of delivering products smoothly or efficiently.

So don’t expect Russia to be in command of 50 new Tu-160Ms anytime soon.

About the Author: Harrison Kass 

Harrison Kass is a defense and national security writer with over 1,000 total pieces on issues involving global affairs. An attorney, pilot, guitarist, and minor pro hockey player, Harrison joined the US Air Force as a Pilot Trainee but was medically discharged. Harrison holds a BA from Lake Forest College, a JD from the University of Oregon, and an MA from New York University. Harrison listens to Dokken.

Image Credit: Russian Military. 

Feuilleton El Berrani : l’ARAV convoque le directeur de la chaîne Echorouk

Algérie 360 - jeu, 14/03/2024 - 22:25

L’autorité nationale indépendante de régulation de l’audiovisuel a, récemment, rappelé à l’ensemble des professionnels de ce secteur, la nécessité de respecter la spécificité de ce […]

L’article Feuilleton El Berrani : l’ARAV convoque le directeur de la chaîne Echorouk est apparu en premier sur .

Catégories: Afrique

Corsica Linea : report de deux traversées entre Alger et Marseille

Algérie 360 - jeu, 14/03/2024 - 20:59

Les grèves sont de retour en France et la compagnie maritime, Corsica Linea annonce déjà des perturbations dans son programme de traversées entre la France […]

L’article Corsica Linea : report de deux traversées entre Alger et Marseille est apparu en premier sur .

Catégories: Afrique

Dune, Demon Slayer…Ne manquez pas l’émotion au Cinéma Garden City ces 14, 15 et 16 mars

Algérie 360 - jeu, 14/03/2024 - 20:38

Envie d’une escapade cinématographique en ce premier week-end de Ramadan ? Le Cinéma Garden City vous ouvre ses portes pour un voyage riche en émotions […]

L’article Dune, Demon Slayer…Ne manquez pas l’émotion au Cinéma Garden City ces 14, 15 et 16 mars est apparu en premier sur .

Catégories: Afrique

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