I had assumed that PAK DA would likely use engines derived from PAK FA – nice to see confirmation at that point – and that’s one of the reasons (when coupled with likely high-end kinematic performance targets for PAK DA) that I suspect the aircraft will be closer in size to Tu-22M than Tu-160.
Lack of need for a Tu-160-size aircraft is another reason. Eurasia and its surrounding waters encompass Russia’s entire contemporary sphere of interest, and Russia’s own breadth allows for widely distributed basing. Extreme range isn’t needed.
The ‘regional bomber’ disappeared from America’s arsenal (much to Australia’s misfortune) following the end of the Cold War and the role for such an aircraft, there’s no reason to think that the ‘intercontinental bomber’ won’t similarly disappear from Russian arsenals when the time comes.
1.) Nothing is certain in regards to PAK-DA right now, program is too infant. Though, I certainly agree it will not be Blackjack sized.
2.) Intercontinental (Let’s just say very long range) bomber will 100% not disappear from Russian inventory. Tu-95 and Tu-160 have decades of service left, so replacement is not a worry right now (nor possible in immediate future). Unless PAK-DA manages range performance somewhere in between Tu-22 and Tu-160, I don’t see it being the sole aircraft of Long Range Aviation in the long term (unless cruise missile range reaches a point that such range is deemed unnecesary. Even then, long range/time patrol will be desired).
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