Russia’s Mach 2 Tu-160 ‘Blackjack’ Bomber: Fastest and Heaviest on Earth

Russia’s Mach 2 Tu-160 ‘Blackjack’ Bomber: Fastest and Heaviest on Earth

PUBLISHED on August 11, 2025, 02:38 PM EDT – Key Points and Summary – The Tupolev Tu-160 “Blackjack” remains a vital component of Russia’s nuclear triad as the world’s fastest and heaviest operational combat aircraft. With a top speed of Mach 2.05 and intercontinental range, the “White Swan” is a formidable standoff weapons platform. It can carry a massive 88,000-pound payload of both nuclear and conventional cruise missiles, a capability it has…