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Tupolev Tu-95MSM Bear-H - Old Bear in a New Coat
Hi and welcome to my 115th, which is about the Tu-95MSM, hope you like it. 
First of all:
- Feel free to share more Information and / or correct me if something is wrong
- Discuss respectfully, any aggressive kind or verbal abuse will be reported, the Forum rules also apply here
Background History
November 2022 marked the 70th anniversary of the maiden flight of the original version of the Tupolev Tu-95, while the first production aircraft were already introduced into service with the Soviet Air Force in 1956. To this day, the aircraft is characterized by its basic design featuring a slender fuselage, swept wings, and four Kuznetsov NK-12 turboprop engines, each equipped with counter-rotating propellers. This unusual propulsion concept gives the aircraft a long range and high efficiency while maintaining a high cruising speed.
Despite retaining the basic structure, the modern Tupolev Tu-95MS—whose development began in the early 1980s and which was produced until 1994—differs significantly from the early versions. Originally designed as a free-fall bomber, the aircraft became a strategic missile carrier whose primary mission today is to precisely deploy cruise missiles against ground targets from long range. This has also fundamentally changed the mission concept—moving away from direct overflights of heavily defended targets toward stand-off attacks from a safe distance.
The most recent modernization is the Tupolev Tu-95MSM; based on extensively modernized Tu-95MS airframes and includes, among other things, improvements to avionics, sensors, and weapons system integration. The maiden flight of a correspondingly retrofitted aircraft with the registration RF-94121 (Red 21, dubbed “Samara”) took place as early as late August 2020. Subsequently, things remained quiet around the program until the state-owned aviation holding company UAC reported another test flight on January 16, 2023, which apparently involved this same aircraft again.
Armament of the Tu-95MSM
It is not known whether the modernized Tu-95MS/MSM would still be capable of carrying conventional bombs—however, it appears that the internal weapons bay has been equipped with a rotary launcher, which adds six additional internal pylons to the eight underwing pylons for Kh-555 cruise missiles.
The Tu-95MSM’s armament therefore consists mainly of cruise missiles, which, however, are likely to be of great interest for strategic game modes or the long-awaited expanded EC battles.
- ?x Kh-55
- 6-?x Kh-555
- 8x Kh-101
- 8x Kh-102
Specifications, Electronics and Internal
Compared to earlier versions, the Tupolev Tu-95MSM features a number of significant upgrades. A key innovation is the Novella-NV1.021 phased-array radar, which, together with a new flight control system, improved avionics, and modern cockpit displays, significantly enhances operational capability. This is complemented by an updated navigation system based on GLONASS and an optimized weapon control system.
In addition, the new Meteore-NM2 defense complex has been integrated, enabling the aircraft to actively jam enemy radar positions both on the ground and in the air, thereby increasing its survivability in combat - an active system to counter enemy missiles is also reportedly in place. As a last line of defense, the Tu-95MSM also features a tail armament of twin 23-mm GSch-23 machine guns, which are used to counter close-range air threats.
- Crew: >5
- Length: 46,13 m
- Wingspan: 50,04 m
- Height: 13,2 m
- Max. takeoff weight: 185 t
- Powerplant: 4x Kuznetsov NK-12MPM
- Power (each): >15,000 hp
- Maximum speed: >830 km/h
- Service ceiling: 10.500 m
Thanks for your time, hope you liked it 
[Will add more if there are some (more) important / declassified things]
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Sources:
Links
Tu-95MSM: Russlands alte Tupolew "Bear" im Testflug
New Variant of Russian Tu-95MSM Bomber Capable of Launching Advanced Missiles Targeting Ukraine
https://turdef.com/article/russia-upgraded-the-tu-95-bomber-with-additional-pylons
Modernized Russian Tu-95MSM Strategic Bomber has Doubled its Combat Capabilities
https://www.key.aero/article/first-modernised-tu-95msm-bear-takes-flight