Russian Tu-160 Supersonic Strategic Bombers Set New World Flight Range Record

Russian Tu-160 supersonic strategic bombers have set a new world record for flight range. This was announced by the commander of the Russian Aerospace Forces' long-range aviation, Lieutenant General Sergey Kobilev, as reported by TASS.

“Today, crews of the Tu-160 supersonic strategic missile carriers have set a new record for flight range and duration with two long-range aviation crews,” the general stated. According to him, the pilots covered more than 20,000 kilometers and remained in the air for over 25 hours. No one has flown longer in aircraft of this class, Kobilev added.

The planes took off from Engels Airport and landed at the same location, as indicated by the Russian Ministry of Defense. The flight of the two bombers was commanded by Major General Oleg Pchela and Lieutenant Colonel Sergey Volkоvitsky. Throughout the flight of the Tu-160, three refuelings were carried out in the air.

It is worth noting that the previous flight range record was also set by the Tu-160 in 2010, when pilots spent 24 hours and 24 minutes in the air.