The Tupolev Tu-95 Bear has proven to be a successful strategic bomber for many years by the Soviet army
For maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare
the Tupolev design bureau developed the Tu-142 (NATO code name Bear), based on this Tu-95
Formerly operated by the Soviet Navy and Ukrainian Air Force, the Tu-142 currently serves with the Russian Navy
In response to the American Polaris program, the new US ballistic missile submarines, in 1963, development of the Tu-142 began
The new Tu-142 was built on a Tu-95 airframe, and fitted it with sensors from the Il-38 maritime patrol aircraft
The Tu-142 differed from the Tu-95
in having a stretched fuselage to accommodate specialised equipment for its ASW and surveillance roles
a reinforced undercarriage to support rough-field capability, improved avionics and weapons
and enhancements to general performance
The Tu-142's capability was incrementally improved while the type was in service, eventually resulting in the Tu-142MZ
the final long-range Tu-142 with highly sophisticated combat avionics and a large payload
The first flight of the Tu-142 was made on 18 July 1968, and officially introduced in December 1972
Its former operators were the Soviet Union, Ukraine, and India, and at present, only the Russian Navy Aviation force remains
Tu-142 is operated by a crew of 11-13 people, depending on the mission
It measures 53.08 m (174 ft 2 in) in length, wingspan is 50 m (164 ft 1 in), height is 12.12 m (39 ft 9 in),
its empty weight is 90 tons, and Maximum takeoff is 185 tons
The aircraft is powered by four Kuznetsov NK-12MP turboprop engines, with 14,795 hp each
powering the 8-bladed contra-rotating constant-speed propellers
he Tu-142 can reach a top speed of 925 km/h (575 mph), a cruise speed of 711 km/h (442 mph)
a combat range of 6,500 km (3,500 nmi), and a service ceiling of 12,000 m (39,000 ft).
The Tu-142 is equipped with various search sensors, including a search radar and sonobuoys
The original sensors were carried over from the Il-38 maritime patrol aircraft, though some of the elements were newly developed
Eventually improved versions of the Tu-142 were fitted with more capable sensors
Magnetic anomaly detection system was added on an improved Tu-142M version
To expand the range of activities, Tu-142 is fitted with in-flight refueling probe
Still though this maritime patrol aircraft could reach US shores without in-flight refueling
It can be used for anti-submarine warfare, anti-shipping, reconnaissance, electronic intelligence, search and rescue, and other roles
The Tupolev Tu-142 inherited two large weapon bays of the Tu-95 bomber
This maritime patrol aircraft can carry a whooping 11,340 kg of ordnance, including anti-submarine torpedoes, depth charges and mines
For self-defense this aircraft is fitted with two 23 mm twin-barrel cannons at the rear
In total, about 100 Tu-142s were produced