If the information from the very similar Su-24M2 export modernization (some of Algeria’s Su-24MKs are this standard) is valid for the Su-24SM, the radar has not been physically altered.

– SVP-24 weapons management system was developed. This new system features a MIL-STD-1553b equivalent databus and SV-24 mission computer. The SV-24 controls the new Obzor-RVB-T radar signal-processing unit, allowing greater precision in target acquisition and at a greater distance. Due to the new avionics, bombing accuracy is significantly increased with dumb bombs, while the navigation and targeting accuracy has been fine-tuned to approximately 30m due to a new satellite-navigation system using GPS (either NAVSTAR or GLONASS).

– In the cockpit, the old monochrome CRT has been replaced with a new model, the OR4-TM. It allows the display of better-quality SAR imagery and facilitates target identification, and is used for cartography, radar and tactical information display. The navigator is now able to mix the radar image with the digital navigation map provided by the new navigation system. There is also a new HUD, the KAI-24. The replacement of the old avionics has resulted in weight savings of 270kg. The upgrade also includes a ground based automated mission preparation and control unit, reducing the time necessary for flight preparation and debriefing.

– The Su-24SM can carry the latest Russian precision-guided weaponry and export models can employ foreign munitions. For self-defense, it can be armed with the R-73 AAM in place of the older R-60.

– The Su-24SM can be upgraded by VVS technical personnel ?on base? (no need for return to a factory) and no particular pilot conversion training is necessary. The modernization sees the airframe life of the aircraft extended to 2,400 hours, nearly 30 years of use.

Well, if we assume that the Meteorit is roughly to scale with the Bazalt and Granit next to it (which we know to be similar in size) its very possible it would’ve been the same size as the Oscar II …

It has two such bays- six and six. You’ll notice that the bay is far larger than the rotary launcher for those six Kh-55s (normally its Kh-55SMs, but anyway), it can carry more, but the huge supersnoic missile it was originally desinged to carry had its development cancelled, but the bay stayed the same size.

Copy of my post on acig:

Just a record of known Tu-160s which I hope to expand as new pictures come out:

Known Tu-160s:

– Bort 01 ‘Mikhail Gromov’ *
– Bort 02- Vasiliy Reshetnikov
– Bort 03- Pavel Taran
– Bort 04- Ivan Yarygin
– Bort 05- Aleksandr Golovanov **
– Bort 06- Ilya Muromets
– Bort 07- Aleksandr Molodchiy
– Bort xx- Valeriy Chkalov ***

Testbed aircraft:

– Bort 29- the flying testbed, often seen in unpainted state.
– Bort? 342- the Tu-160SK space-launch demonstrator, with ‘342’ emblazoned under the cockpit (but not at the typical Bort number locations)

* crashed
** previously named Ilya Muromets
*** looks like bort 17, but no positive ID

Tu-160 upgrade details

In the first stage, “small modernization”, to be undertaken from 2003-2004, the aircraft will be adapted for carrying new armament, with minimum changes to aircraft equipment. In 2002, Tupolev was ordered to prepare technical documentation for carrying out the modernisation, and state acceptance tests of the upgraded bombers were slated to begin in 2003. Modernization will be carried out in conjunction with repairs to extend the aircraft service life to 30-35 years (i.e. until 2020-2025).

The first stage includes replacing the Sprut missile initialisation and launch system (common between the Tu-95MS16 and Tu-160) with the new Sigma system, necessary for using the Kh-101 and Kh-555 CALCMs.

In the second stage, after 2005, the entire mission equipment will be replaced- new radar, naviagation, communication, and EW systems will be installed, unified as far as possible across the Tu-160, Tu-95MS16 and Tu-22M3. Common weapons will include the Kh-101, Kh-102, Kh-555, Kh-SD, and reportedly a new supersonic weapon (referred to as Kh-41, but this is likely an error).

Second-stage upgrade of Tu-160s will be carried out at Kazan by KAPO.

The maximum potential force

– 6 original aircraft at Engels (reduced to 5 after Mikhail Gromov was lost)
– 2 of the 6 aircraft at Zhukovsky earmarked for upgrade to operational status (4 of the 6 are airworthy, and presumably one of the aircraft that was not airworthy was the aircraft “destroyed” in investigating the loss of the Mikhail Gromov)
– 8 aircraft delivered from Ukraine
– 1 new aircraft from KAPO delivered in May 2000
– 1 new aircraft completed by KAPO in 2001, but delivered in 2003*
– Feb 2004: reported that 3 Tu-160s still on the assembly line will be built at Kazan

* One news report that indicated the status of this Tu-160 indicated it would be purchased in 2002, but no article could be found indicating a 2002 purchase, only a 2003 purchase. so it is assumed this aircraft completed in 2001 was delivered in 2003. The same article also referred to 3 aircraft still incomplete at Kazan- making this interpretation consistent with the assumption that the same aircraft was delivered in 2003 (in light of the 2004 article).

20 aircraft then.

General news: 1 of the new Tu-160s to be delivered this year