Tu-142MR planes to be upgraded as part of advanced submarine communications development

: Posted On Friday, 15 July 2016 09:22

Naval Forces News - Russia

Tu-142MR planes to be upgraded as part of advanced submarine communications development

Russia's Naval Forces' Tu-142MR (NATO reporting name: Bear-J) VLF-band radio communications relay aircraft derived from the Tu-142M long-range antisubmarine warfare aircraft, will be upgraded as part of the development of a sophisticated submarine communication system, according to the Izvestia daily.

The Tu-142MR radio relay planes are designed for communication with submarines on patrol.
Picture: US DOD

The Russian Navy’s unique Tu-142MR radio relay planes designed for communication with submarines on patrol hundreds of meters below the surface will be equipped with advanced communications gear capable, inter alia, of relaying flight missions to sophisticated sea-launched cruise missiles (SLCM) of the Kalibr (SS-N-27 Sizzler) system and Bulava (SS-N-32) intercontinental ballistic missiles. In addition to advanced avionics, the Tu-142MRs also will get unique kilometers-long towed aerials extended from the fuselage for communicating with submarines.

The working documents have been devised and approved. The upgrade will begin on Beriev’s premises in the city of Taganrog soon. The aircraft re-designated as Tu-142MRM will receive the latest electronic communications systems and towed aerials. At the same time, no detail has been available either on the characteristics and designations of the communications systems to be fitted or on the upgrade’s schedule.

The Tu-142MR special communications aircraft derived from the Tu-142M long-range ASW aircraft and adopted for use in the mid-1980s has the official designation as the aircraft of the relay system of the backup naval nuclear forces command and control system. In case of a global nuclear confrontation, the Tu-142MR’s primary mission is to convey the numbers of the flight missions pre-downloaded into the missiles and the launch orders themselves to the patrolling nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines.

The central part of the cutting-edge communications and relay systems equipping the Tu-142 is the VLF towed aerial that is almost 9 km long and is reeled out of a special drum in the fuselage. During communication sessions, the length of the aerial enables the aircraft and submarines deep under water to communicate.

The communications gear fitting the Tu-142MR since as far back as the mid-‘80s is ill-compatible with the similar equipment and automated control systems of the Russian Navy’s latest Project 885 Yasen (Severodvinsk-class), Project 885M Yasen-M, Project 995 Borei (Dolgorukiy-class) and Project 955A Borei-A submarines.

The feasibility of a Tu-142MR upgrade was first mentioned in 2014, when news came that the trials of the Tu-142MRM were slated for 2014-2016 at the Russian Aerospace Force’s State Flight Test Center in Akhtubinsk. At present, Russia is developing an automated strategic forces command and control system allowing both the real-time ordering of a strategic missile launch and re-targeting of missiles in the ascent phase with their engine still operating.

No doubt, the Tu-142MRM aircraft will become a key component of the advanced automated strategic forces command and control system. Moreover, the system will be fit for use in not only an all-out war but in locals wars as well in order to transmit flight missions to and designate targets for submarines carrying Kalibr SLCMs that have earned raving reports in the Russian operation in Syria.

Currently, the Russian Navy’s air branch operates about 10 Tu-142MRs out of Naval Air Station Mongokhto of the Pacific Fleet and NAS Kipelovo of the Northern Fleet, according to the Izvestia daily.

The Tu-142MZ (NATO Designation Bear-F Mod 4) is the latest variant of the Tu-142 series. It was in production until 1994. Picture: US Navy

The Tupolev Tu-142 in its baseline variant is a maritime reconnaissance and ASW aircraft derived from the Tu-95 turboprop strategic bomber. Its first flight occured in 1968 while the latest variant (Tu-142MZ) was produced until 1994.

The aircraft is fitted with two weapon bays with a total capacity of 11,340 kg combat load for:
- Sonobuoys (RGB-15/25/55A/75)
- Up to 12 torpedoes (APR-2, APR-3 and UMGT-1)
Typical loadout being 126 sonobuoys and 6 torpedoes

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