Derived from the VVS Tu-95 Bear nuclear bomber versions, the latest Tu-142 Bear-F is part of the basic Tupolev '-142M-Z' variant. Within Bear-Fs there have been (to my knowledge) six (6) major variants and 11 sub-variants - all associated with the improvements added to the basic design adopted the air forces Tu-95RT aiframe. The fuselage was completely reworked, glazed nose compartment added, slim (chin) radome and a large 'Berkoot' search radar mounted ahead of the forward bomb bay comparment, with several blisters and ram-air cooling inlets to cool onboard systems added to the design. The two separate bomb bays were reworked to accommodate ASW torpedoes and nuclear/conventional depth charges, and a separate chute in the after fuselage to drop out small sonobuoys, while the larger ones usually were dispensed out the aft bomb bay in cluster groups of nine during a drop. A flight refueling probe was added just off centerline to port.
The -142M-Z did away with the glass nose, added improved ECM sensors and ESM jammers - ECM thimble is prominent on the nose - plus FLIR, added communications and radar altimeters under the chin compartment, plus a passive ECM sensor receiver installed under the tail with twin aft facing plan-spiral antenna under the tailcone. The aft twin 23mm w/500rpg and Rubidi MM-11 radar FCS is still carried and the 23mm shells also can dispense chaff and IR rounds as countermeasures against IR AAMs. The Tu-142M variant removed the tailplane-tip MAD system of earlier -142s, and replaced with a single, very sensitive 'Ladoga' MAD sensor projecting aft from the enlarged fin tip, and called the "Mod.III" variant..
The basic Tu-142M-Z carries the NATO/ASCC name "Bear-F Mod.IV". There are also some Tu-142MK and MR variants operational with squadrons, as yet unconverted to -142M-Z standard. Integrated ASW suite search pattern normally 745 x 745-miles (1,200-km) "search zones".
The Soviet Kuibyshev factory built the early aircraft through Tu-142 Bear-F Mod.1 alongside Taganrog Factory Bears, but all subsequent Bear-Fs came from the latter factory.
Spec's:
Length (w/probe) 174ft 1-in (50.04-m.)
Wing area - 3,121-sq.-ft. (289.9sq.m.)
Weight, empty: 183,089-lbs (83,050-kg.)
Weight, max t/o: 407,848-lbs (185,000-kg)
Max speed: 531-mph (855-km/h)
Cruise speed: 457-mph (735-km/h)
Operational ceiling: 41,500-ft.
Range: 7,395-miles (11,900-km)/ Endurance: 14 hours.
Weapons: (defensive) 2 x MMII 23mm (500rpg) cannon (tail) with PRS-4 Krypton FC radar; SPO-10 passive receiver and SPS-100 ECM for use against interceptors radar FCS/AAMs.
Bombload: @ 10-12,000-kg, comprising depth charges and sonobuoys. Also, aerial mines, large ASW torpedoes, depth charges and sonobuoys.
Typical loadout of sonobuoys/ASW torpedoes: 3 AT-2M + APR-1/-2 ASW
torpedoes; 44 RGB-15 (initial search), 10 RGB-25, 66 RGB-75 and 15 RGB-55A sonobuoys. EMGT-1M Orian ASW added with Korshun introduced, as well as new sonobuoys. KAB-250PL (S3V) are guided depth charges.
The aircraft was also capable of carrying two SK-1 nuclear depth charges (spec's are under IL-38 May entry). This should be included in weapon options. Because of the bulky nature of the SK-1, though its weight was only 1,600-kg, load of two would represent over 7,050-lbs or @75% of weight load, so it probably was never considered seriously to carry two - just one.
USERS: Soviet
Basing: VVS i PVO TOF (Hq. Vladivostok) -
- 568th OMSAP [ Sovietskaya Gavan] - Kamennyi Ruchey AB
Tu-142MR, M-Z]
VVS i PVO VMS (Hq: Moscow) -
- 444th TsBPiPLS Ostrov [Tu-142MK]
VVS i PVO SF (Hq: Severomorsk) -
- 73rd OAE Kipelovo [Fedotovo] [Tu-142MK]
Also: India [2005: Tu-142M Mod.3 standard being upgraded to Tu-142M-Z standard.]
