However, as turboprop technology improved, they proved far superior and were found to be the best choice of engines overall.
Tupolev Tu-95 Bear aircraft continue to operate in the Russian Air Force to this date. The Tupolev Tu-95 Bear is expected to remain in service with the Russian Air Force until at least 2010. Part of the reason for its longevity is an ability to be modified for different missions. These include reconnaissance, the deployment of cruise missiles and anti-submarine warfare.
The Tupolev Tu-95 Bear utilizes both leading edge geometrical warping and aerodynamic warping to provide higher aerodynamic efficiency.
The Tupolev Tu-95 Bear can carry nuclear, conventional, and guided bombs, mines and torpedoes.
The defensive armament of the Tupolev Tu-95 Bear incorporates three turrets with paired AM-23 cannons, which can be radar aimed.
Advanced navigation equipment in the Tupolev Tu-95 Bear consists of long range radio navigation and instrument landing system, radio compass, astro compass, magnetic compass, and flight gyroscope, coupled with a bomb-sight autopilot and RPB- 4 bomb radiosight.
The first Tupolev Tu-95 Bear was converted to a maritime surveillance aircraft and re-designated the Tu-95 model M in 1962. The airplane had three sets of cameras located in the bomb bay which incorporated SAB (Luminous bomb) and FqtAB (photographic bomb) photography in addition to day and night cameras. The Tu-95M was equipped with an air refueling probe and a centralized ground refueling system.
On July 2, 1958 the K-20 complex modernization order was signed providing for the installation of upgraded equipment consisting of a RSB-70 command radio station, a RSIU-5 communication radio station, a R-832 ARK-11 radio compass, a RV-UM radio altimeter, a PV- 17 high altitude radio altimeter, a KS-6D directional system and navigation equipment. These improvements to the Tupolev Tu-95 Bear increased target detection range up to 410 miles (660 km).
Tupolev Tu-95 Bear model K and KD aircraft were equipped with a meteorological radio station with a range of up to 260 miles (420 km). Their defensive equipment was modernized with PRS-4 "Krypton" radar replacing the tail gun turret radio sight.
The Tupolev Tu-95 Bear model KM was introduced equipped with upgraded radar, anti-radiation missiles, electronic counter measure systems, new missile launchers and two pylons with Tu-22M BD-45K launchers installed under each wing.
Tupolev Tu-95 Bear cruise missile carriers featured double slotted flaps and spar box fuel tanks instead of bladder tanks. They were equipped with more powerful Kuznetsov NK-12MV turboprops of 14,795 shp (11,033 kW) each with reinforced generator drives. The engines had increased reliability and a longer operational life.
Tupolev Tu-95 Bear model MS aircraft received the latest Tu-142 avionics. These incorporate modern Doppler drift and speed indicators, short and long range celestial and radio navigation systems, a satellite communication system and very powerful ECM equipment.
It is said the Tupolev Tu-95 model MS had such powerful ECM equipment that the most advanced Soviet interceptor aircraft of the time could not get a missile lock on it.
The Tupolev Tu-95 Bear model MS has a navigation system for formation flights, which was designed for "KD" versions.
To date, Tupolev Tu-95 Bear aircraft fly on attack and reconnaissance exercises throughout the world, often testing Western defenses. The encounters are generally friendly, with crews waiving at one another.
In 1988 India purchased a total of 10 ASW versions of the Tupolev Tu-95 Bear aircraft for their Navy.
Recently Tupolev Tu-95 Bear aircraft came within striking distance of Canada and Alaska causing both Canadian and U.S. interceptors to be scrambled.
Much has been written about the noise produced by the Tupolev Tu-95 Bear aircraft.
Although the propeller tips of the Tupolev Tu-95 Bear come close to supersonic speeds at its highest speed, cruising speeds keep the tips of the propellers well below speeds which will produce high noise levels.
If you look closely at photographs of the Tupolev Tu-95 Bear airplane, you can easily see that the propellers are turning at relatively low rpm's.
It is doubtful that a Tupolev Tu-95 Bear would fly at speeds high enough to produce supersonic propeller tip noises for any extended period of time. Such an aircraft has no sound deadening, so its crew would not be able to stand the noise.
