Tupolev Tu-85

Tupolev

Industry	Aerospace, Defense
Founded	1922
Headquarters	Moscow , Soviet Union
Products	Aircraft, including Tu-85 bomber

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The Tupolev Tu-85 (Russian: Туполев Ту-85; designated "Type 31" by the USAF/DoD and known by NATO as Barge) was a Soviet experimental strategic bomber developed from the Tupolev Tu-4, itself an unlicensed reverse-engineered version of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress. Representing the pinnacle of the B-29 lineage, the Tu-85 was over 50% heavier than its predecessor and almost doubled its operational range. Only two units were constructed before the project was discontinued in favor of the turboprop-powered Tupolev Tu-95, which offered equivalent range at significantly higher speeds.

Development

Neither the Tu-4 nor the Tu-80 possessed true intercontinental reach, as their range was insufficient to strike targets in the United States from Soviet airfields and return safely. The Tu-85 was conceived to fulfill this strategic requirement by incorporating more powerful, fuel-efficient engines, a redesigned wing to enhance the lift/drag ratio, and increased fuel capacity. Various engine options were evaluated before selecting the 4,500-horsepower (3,400 kW) Shvetsov ASh-2K—a configuration combining two air-cooled ASh-82 radial engines—and the liquid-cooled 4,300-horsepower (3,200 kW) Dobrynin VD-4K, a six-bank inline engine reminiscent of the unsuccessful German Junkers Jumo 222. Both powerplants featured turbochargers and power-recovery turbines, classifying them as turbo-compound engines. Although the Shvetsov design was favored, it was not sufficiently developed at the time, leading to the selection of the VD-4K. Significant collaboration with TsAGI refined the wing design, achieving an aspect ratio of 11.745 and a taper ratio of 2.93, optimized for high-altitude lift. The aircraft housed 63,600 litres (16,800 US gal) of fuel distributed among 48 flexible tanks.

Armament and onboard systems were largely adapted from late-model Tu-4s, including four remotely operated dorsal and ventral gun turrets plus a tail turret, each equipped with twin 23 mm (0.91 in) Nudelman-Rikhter NR-23 cannons. The Tu-85’s tail turret incorporated an Argon range-only radar, and its two bomb bays were enlarged to accommodate 9,000 kg (20,000 lb) FAB-9000 bombs.

Design efforts commenced in August 1948 and were officially authorized by a Council of Ministers directive on 16 September, mandating completion of a prototype for factory testing by December 1950. Assembly of the initial aircraft began in July 1950 and concluded by September. Its maiden flight occurred on 9 January 1951, with manufacturer's testing continuing through October. On 12 September, the first prototype completed a 9,020 km (5,600 mi) flight carrying a 5,000 kg (11,000 lb) bomb load which was released during transit, landing with sufficient fuel to have extended its range to 12,018 km (7,468 mi). The second prototype—sometimes designated as 85D (dooblyor) or 85/2—incorporated improvements based on initial flight data, including structural reinforcements and various system upgrades. It first flew on 28 June 1951, with testing concluding in November.

Although series production was initially approved on 23 March 1951 at three factories intended to replace Tu-4 production lines, this decision was reversed later that year and the program terminated. The advent of jet fighters such as Soviet MiG-15s downing numerous American B-29s during the Korean War demonstrated that piston-engine bombers had become obsolete in aerial combat. Focus shifted to the superior turboprop-powered Tupolev Tu-95 'Bear', whose TV-12 prototype engines—precursors to the Kuznetsov NK-12 turboprops still powering the Tu-95—were already producing 12,000 shp (8,900 kW) as early as 1951.