TASS:
MOSCOW, July 2. /TASS/. The trials of the Kinzhal hypersonic complex aboard the Tupolev Tu-22M3 strategic bomber are needed to check the aircraft’s ability to boost the complex’s missiles, former Commander of Russia’s Long-Range Aviation Mikhail Oparin told TASS on Monday.
The Tu-22M3 aircraft “suits perfectly” for Kinzhal hypersonic missiles’ trials by its mass and volume characteristics, he said.
“The tests are needed to see whether it [the bomber] will be capable of accelerating the missile and to get the results. For long-range aircraft pilots, the missile is sooner of the tactical scope but at the same time it has clear advantages by its capabilities of breaching enemy anti-ballistic missile defenses,” the former commander said.
As the Russian general noted, the Kinzhal is a heavy missile designed precisely for long-range bombers.
