Tubong Tu-65
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| Tu-65 | |
|---|---|
| File:Tu-65 side view.png | |
| Tu-65 | |
| Role | Carrier-capable anti-submarine warfare |
| National origin |  DSRA
|
| Manufacturer | Tubong |
| First flight | 10 May 1965 |
| Introduction | 5 July 1978 |
| Status | In production |
| Primary user | DSRA  Anikatia
|
| Produced | 1965–present |
| Number built | 50+ |
| Unit cost |
Tu-65ASW-X: NSD $130 million (flyaway cost, 2014)
|
The Tubong Tu-65 is a twin Turboprop carrier-capable tactical anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft developed by the Tubong. It was a derivative of the Tubong Tu-62 and first entered service in 1966. It remains in service within Naval Aviation, and various air forces to which it was exported. It has been in continuous production since 1960s, with the latest variants seeing significant upgrades to the avionics and flight systems, improved engines, glass cockpits, increased fuel capacity; and aerial refuelling.
History
The Tubong Tu-65, a derivative of the Tubong Tu-62, shares wings and power plants with the Tu-62, and fuselage but lacks the AWAC radar and sensors instead it is fitted with anti-submarine warfare systems. The first of two prototypes flew in 1965. After successful testing, Tubong began production of the aircraft.
Design
The Tu-65 is a twin-engined shoulder-mounted straight-wing aircraft, with one contra-rotating propellers turboprop engine on each wing and retractable tricycle landing gear. As with most carrier-borne airplanes, the Tu-65 is equipped with a tail hook for landings, and it is capable of using the aircraft carrier's catapults for takeoff. The aircraft's wings also folded upwards, the engines are two Arsanukayev AVT-01P-II which were derived from the engines that powered the Bau-48 AEW.7. It has an internal torpedo bay capable of carrying two lightweight torpedoes or one nuclear depth charge. There were six underwing hard points for rocket pods and conventional depth charges or up to four additional torpedoes. A ventrally mounted retractable radome and a Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD) is mounted on an extendable rear mounted boom were also fitted. The ESM antenna is located on the rounded extensions on the wingtips. A searchlight is mounted on the starboard wing. The engine nacelles carried sonobouys in the rear. Smoke dispensers are mounted on the port ventral surface of the nacelles in groups of three each.
Variants
- Y-62-200A
- Initial prototype, without electronics, later rebuilt as a standard Tu-65ASW
- Tu-65ASW
Initial production version.
- Tu-65ASWT
Tu-65ASW converted as crew trainers.
- Tu-65ASW2
- As the Tu-65ASW but with upgraded with additional electronics.
- Tu-65ASW3
- Upgraded avionics, and radar system, anti-ship missile launch capability.
- Tu-65ASW4
- Advanced variant with entirely new avionics suite and radar systems, cockpit significantly updated with a full glass cockpit and air-to-air refueling.
- Tu-65ASW-X
- Export variant.
Operators
Current
- Anikatian Navy – Naval Air Arm Approximately 64.
Former operator
- Template:Country data Democratic Socialist Republic of Anikatia Anikatian People's Navy – Anikatian People's Naval Aviation Passed on to successor state.
Specifications (Tu-65ASW1)
General characteristics
- Crew: 4 Pilot, Copilot, Two Detection Systems Operators
- Length: 21.42 m (70 ft 3 in) ()
- Wingspan: 21.80 m (71 ft 6 in) ()
- Height: 7.37 m (24 ft 2 in) ()
- Empty weight: 16,035 kg (30,900 lb) ()
- Loaded weight: 24,269 kg (53,504 lb) ()
- Max. takeoff weight: 28,956 kg (63,837 lb) ()
- Powerplant: × 2x Arsanukayev AVT-01P-II turboprops, 2,889 kW (3,875 shp) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 726 km/h (451 mph)
- Combat radius: 1,852+ km (1,000+ nmi) with external fuel tanks ()
- Ferry range: 3,508 km (2,180 mi) ()
- Service ceiling: 11,400 m (37,500 ft) ()
- Rate of climb: 34.7 m/s (6,820 ft/min) ()
- Wing loading: 274 kg/m² (56 lb/ft²) ()
Armament
2,200 kg (4,800 lb) of payload could be carried in the internal bomb bay and on 6× under-wing hardpoints
- Torpedoes
- Depth charges
See also
- Related development