Tupolev PAK DA
| Industry | Aerospace, Defense |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1922 |
| Headquarters | Moscow , Russia |
Key people | Igor Shevchuk (President and General Designer) |
| Products | Aircraft including PAK DA strategic bomber |
| Parent | United Aircraft Corporation |
| Website | tupolev |
The Tupolev PAK DA, also referred to simply as PAK DA (Russian: ПАК ДА, an abbreviation for Russian: Перспективный авиационный комплекс дальней авиации, romanized: Prospective Aviation Complex for Long-Range Aviation),[1] carries the codename Poslannik (Russian: Посланник, lit. '"Envoy"').[2] This advanced stealth strategic bomber is being engineered by Tupolev to serve the Long-Range Aviation division of the Russian Aerospace Forces.[3] It is intended to supplement and ultimately succeed the aging Tupolev Tu-95 fleet within Russia’s aerial forces.[4]
A 2020 report from Izvestia indicated that three prototypes of the PAK DA were planned to be completed for initial testing by April 2023, with full state trials scheduled to commence in February 2026. Serial production is anticipated to begin in 2027.[5] Given the ongoing upgrades to Russia’s existing bomber fleet and significant acquisitions of modernized Tu-160M2 units, it is expected that the Russian Defence Ministry will initially order only a limited quantity of PAK DA bombers.[6]
Key specifications of the PAK DA include a subsonic cruising speed, an operational radius of approximately 12,000-kilometre (7,500 mi), and an endurance capability allowing continuous flight for up to 30 hours. It will be capable of deploying both conventional and nuclear armaments with a maximum payload capacity near 30 tons.[7] The design is expected to accommodate a crew of four members.[5]
Development
The origins of Russia's forthcoming long-range strategic bomber trace back to the late 1990s, coinciding with the initial establishment of aircraft requirements. In December 2007, the Russian Air Force presented the Tupolev Design Bureau with the initial set of technical and tactical specifications for the new strategic bomber, and funding for the project commenced in 2008. Early accounts suggested that the PAK DA would heavily derive from the supersonic Tupolev Tu-160; however, subsequent information, including a televised statement by then-Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, indicated that the aircraft would feature a completely new design.
On 3 September 2009, the Russian Defence Ministry awarded Tupolev a three-year research and development contract focused on studying the new long-range bomber. Igor Shevchuk, President and General Designer at Tupolev, emphasized that this aircraft would represent a fundamentally new platform based on innovative conceptual solutions.
In June 2012, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin expressed doubts regarding the necessity of a new long-range bomber, citing advancements in aerial and missile defense systems and asserting that such aircraft might be rendered ineffective. In response, General Staff Chief Nikolai Makarov affirmed ongoing development efforts and claimed that the design surpassed American counterparts. Shortly thereafter, on 9 June 2012, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev confirmed that the PAK DA project remained on track. Russian President Vladimir Putin also underscored the importance of developing a new long-range bomber in his statement on 14 June 2012.
By March 2013, reports confirmed that the chosen PAK DA design would adopt a subsonic flying wing configuration prioritizing stealth capabilities over supersonic performance. Anatoly Zhikharev mentioned that an unmanned strategic bomber might succeed the PAK DA after 2040. On 30 August 2013, a source within the Russian Defense Ministry revealed plans for equipping the PAK DA with advanced precision-guided munitions, including hypersonic weaponry.
In November 2013, authorities decided to accelerate development efforts and initiate full-scale research and development work in 2014. The following February, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Andrey Boginsky indicated that Russia was exploring Chinese investment opportunities for the program.
By April 2014, Mikhail Pogosyan, head of United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), announced that Tupolev had completed the design phase and was transitioning into an intermediate stage involving final design completion and prototype construction.
In March 2015, it was disclosed that the Kazan Aircraft Production Association (KAPO) facility in Kazan had been selected to manufacture PAK DA prototypes and subsequent production models. The Defence Ministry allocated approximately five billion rubles to modernize and re-equip this production base to accommodate bomber construction. Development of the PAK DA proceeded concurrently with serial production of upgraded Tu-160M2 bombers; however, this overlap contributed to repeated delays in the program.
During July 2015, representatives from United Instrument Manufacturing Corporation (UIMC), now part of Roselectronics, announced they were developing a unique communications system tailored for the bomber.
By 1 March 2017, reports confirmed completion of the first full-scale model of the bomber alongside various scale mock-ups representing different configurations.
In July 2018, United Engine Corporation (UEC) and Tupolev signed an agreement to develop engines for the PAK DA. Initial reports indicated these powerplants would be derived from an upgraded version of the Kuznetsov NK-32 Tier 2 engine used in modernized Tu-160M2s. Approximately eight billion rubles were earmarked for engine development at JSC Kuznetsov's Samara facility. The engine is designed to enable continuous flight up to thirty hours while operating reliably under extreme temperatures ranging from minus 60°C to plus 50°C and enduring nuclear blast effects. Its projected service life spans between twelve and twenty-one years. Engine testing was scheduled to begin in 2020 with completion anticipated by late 2021.
In February 2019, final approval was granted for the PAK DA's design documentation necessary for construction. Component manufacturing commenced towards late 2019. On 26 May 2020, TASS reported—citing anonymous sources—that assembly had begun on the first PAK DA bomber. Additional industry sources indicated that prototype completion was expected by early 2023.
On 23 December 2020, it was announced that UEC was nearing completion of the first prototype engine for PAK DA with bench testing planned during 2021. The engine's digital design facilitated rapid production of initial samples. A day later, TASS sources revealed multiple PAK DA units were simultaneously under assembly at Kazan’s aircraft plant, with two or three prototypes reportedly entering production.
At the MAKS air show in July 2021, NPP Zvezda’s general director disclosed ongoing development of ejection seats for PAK DA, targeted for delivery to Tupolev by 2023. Testing of these ejection seats commenced in October 2022. On 2 August 2021, news surfaced about a new long-range nuclear-capable hypersonic cruise missile designated Kh-95 being developed to fit within PAK DA’s internal weapons bay. By late November 2021, reports indicated that final assembly of the first prototype was underway with ground tests expected in 2022 and maiden flight projected for late 2024 or early 2025.
On 16 March 2022, Tupolev filed a patent concerning an engine air intake design optimized for stealthy flying wing aircraft configurations featuring illustrative depictions.
Production planning documents from United Aircraft Corporation dated 13 May 2022 revealed ongoing manufacturing of components for six PAK DA bombers at Voronezh Aircraft Production Association facilities. The schedule also confirmed intentions to complete several prototypes between 2023 and 2026. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov clarified that international sanctions imposed following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 would not impact project timelines since no foreign components are utilized in PAK DA's construction.
Similarly, on the eve of Army-2023 International Military-Technical Forum held on 10 August 2023, Vladimir Artyakov—First Deputy General Director of Rostec—affirmed adherence to approved schedules regarding PAK DA development, indicating prototype rollout anticipated within that year. As of June 2025, no reports have emerged confirming completion of any prototype units.
See also
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References
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