A narrow fuselage and pronounced leading-edge root extensions, blended with the aircraft’s body and variable-geometry wings, gives the Blackjack a menacing presence.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Туполев Ту-160 - РоссияRussia - 1981

There are four crew members in a Tu-160 - as pictured during a deployment to Venezuela in September 2007.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Туполев Ту-160 - РоссияRussia - 1981

Most of the Baikal integrated self-protection suite is housed in the tail cone.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Туполев Ту-160 - РоссияRussia - 1981

The 6950th Guards Aviation Base at Engels in western Russia controls two Tu-160-equipped squadrons. The 121st TBAP is set to be re-activated and will accommodate the entire Blackjack fleet inherited from the 6950th Guards Air Base.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Туполев Ту-160 - РоссияRussia - 1981

The Tu-160’s distinctively pointed nose, large wing leading-edge extensions and blended wing-body combine with a variable-geometry wing for multi-mode flight operations.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Туполев Ту-160 - РоссияRussia - 1981

With Tu-160 production at Kazan continuing at a very slow rate in the early 2000s, the last Blackjack was only delivered to the RuAF in 2008.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Туполев Ту-160 - РоссияRussia - 1981

The Blackjack has an all-moving tailfin for yaw control.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Туполев Ту-160 - РоссияRussia - 1981

This is the first upgraded Tu-160M, taken on strength in December last year. It is capable of using the new conventional-warhead MKB Raduga Kh-555 and Kh-101 air-launched cruise missiles plus the nuclear-tipped Kh-102 missile.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Туполев Ту-160 - РоссияRussia - 1981

Most long-range operations are performed with one air refuelling; ultra-long operations of more than 20 hours requiring two.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-78 - РоссияRussia - 1983Туполев Ту-160 - РоссияRussia - 1981

The Blackjack's need for extensive ground servicing equipment, most of which is mounted on heavy truck chassis and trailers, is why the type rarely operates awayfrom its Engels base.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Туполев Ту-160 - РоссияRussia - 1981

Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Tu-160 cockpit, sitting in the co-pilot’s seat ahead of his flight aboard Pavel Taran (Red 03, c/n 07-03) on August 16, 2005, during which two Kh-555 ALCMs were test-launched.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Туполев Ту-160 - РоссияRussia - 1981