Russian supersonic bomber crashes (Tu-160 Blackjack)

Associated Press ^ | 09-18-03

[Brian S]

Four crew members are missing after a supersonic bomber crashed during a test flight in central Russia.

Officials said the 1,250 mph Tu-160 Blackjack, designed to deliver nuclear and conventional weapons deep into enemy territory, crashed in the Saratov region, about 450 miles south-east of Moscow.

No weapons were on board, said officials who blamed the the crash on engine problems. The plane was being tested following the replacement of one of its engines.

"Just before the crash at 0730 BST, the crew informed ground control of an engine fire," an official said. "After that, contact with the pilots was cut off and the bomber crashed to the ground at approximately 0800 BST."

© Associated Press

[FreedomPoster]

>>I just wish they'd been able to take more of the load off the B-52.

It seems to me that we need to be developing a bomb truck. Airliner technology-based, off-the-shelf components for low cost, non-stealth (only used after SEAD campaign is complete), big payload, long loiter, etc.

[JETDRVR]

Affirmative sir , ....if you are able to do so !

[ffusco]

More shameless Russian ingenuity ala the B-29, the Muran orbiter,The a-bomb.

Like monkeys with slide rules.

[Robe]

B1ski

[uglybiker]

I believe it was 1987 when a B-1 from Dyess hit a pelican in this very manner. Happened in Colorado.

Pelicans? In Colorado?

[50sDad]

Question #1 : - why all dead ?

I imagine the sailors on that Russian sub that sank with the "experimental torpedo" were told it was "perfectly safe" as well.

There used to be a role-playing game called "PARANOIA"; you were a "average clone" in an underground city of the future, one of the brave minions of a Supercomputer that knew all, told little, and was completely insane. (The in-gag was, of course, that although the computer was deathly afraid of "the Commies", every aspect of the player's game-life was regulated as if they were living in the old Soviet Block.) Most games began with the Computer telling you "You are going to be testing some really cool new devices from the R&D labs! They are completely safe, and pose no danger to you at all. Won't this be fun?" Most gamers ended up as a fine red mist and a scorch mark on the plasti-steel floor.

[Tallguy]

More shameless Russian ingenuity ala the B-29, the Muran orbiter,The a-bomb.

Like monkeys with slide rules.

I have a different take on the Russians:

1. Some of the great Mathemeticians & Theoretical Physicists have been Russian; and
2. Russian Engineers have developed some truly elegant solutions to some really daunting problems; and
3. The Russians often obtained US design plans and used them as a basis for similar weapons.
4. OTOH, Soviet manufacturing technology & quality control was truly dreadful.

BTW, the Russian Space Shuttle knock-off was the "Buran." Very similar in appearance, but it would have had air-breathing engines for a powered landing, a greater load capacity, and probably a better booster rocket system (something the Russians always excelled at). After an unmanned test flight, it was shelved as too expensive.

[shadowman99]

Only problem is you "must think in Russian" to fire the missles.

[CholeraJoe]

Yes. American white pelicans - Pelicanus erythrorhynchos

I live in Montana and they're common here too. Big birds, big poopers.

[shadowman99]

Ah yes, how can we forget the shuttle clone. It was cancelled after one unmanned test flight. Something tells me that it was not so successful as the Russians let on.

[Question_Assumptions]

I would add that if you have a fire on board, don't wait until you can find a nice runway or major airport. Get the plane near the ground and prepare to ditch if necessary. The SwissAir flight that went down off of Canada a few years back due to an internal fire comes to mind.

[Tom Bombadil]

Pelicans? In Colorado?

Can't speak for Colorado but Yellowstone Park in Wyoming has many white Pelicans.

[Question_Assumptions]

There used to be a role-playing game called "PARANOIA";

You have not been cleared to divulge that information, citizen.

:-)

[Truth666]

Latest from rian.ru

"Something extraordinary happened in the plane and the crew was not able to use the rescue devices. It is an indication that serious and momentary changes took place," Cheltsov told a Moscow press conference.

[ameribbean expat]

geez...first the Kursk blows and then this...that strategic triumvirate of land-sea-air based nuclear delivery platforms ain't looking too good.

[ffusco]

I give them credit for being great at industrial espionage, plagiarism, wholesale theft of patents and forcing entire populations at gun-point to solve great technical problems. Also the Buran's interior reached 700 degrees in it's only unmmanned flight.( I guess they missed something whern they copied Cornings ceramic tiles)
Yes, they do have a lot of experience with heavy lift vehicles, but at the end of the day they steal everything that isn't nailed down.

[ffusco]

FIREFOX!

[JETDRVR]

That certainly is very tragic example. Why the crew never elected for an overwieght landing at KBOS or Halifax NB we will never know.

[El Gran Salseron]

"After an unmanned test flight, it was shelved as too expensive."

Too expensive?

I read recently that the internal temps on re-entry reached 700 F.

I assume that by "too expensive" you mean too expensive to find out why there were, and repair, problems that would let the internal temps reach 700 F.

[wjcsux]

The B-1B IS definately a great plane. I worked on testing the engines (GE F-101) when the plane was in development. Since I was involved with the engines, I had a lot of interface with the airframe and avionics groups as well. I was working at Arnold AFS TN at the time. The B-1B is a well engineered aircraft that was definately ahead of its time.