Fact File: The Tu-16 Badger in WW III
Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2025 3:51 am
The Medium-Range workhorse of both the SAF's DA and the SNAF: the Tu-16...
The Tu-16 Badger in World War III
The Tupolev Tu-16 Badger was the Soviet Union's first medium jet bomber, comparable to the B-47. Unlike its Boeing counterpart, the Tu-16 enjoyed a long service life in Soviet and Soviet client service, as well as having a license-built version seeing service with the Chinese. The aircraft had numerous variants, all of which saw extensive service in both the Soviet Air Force and the Soviet Naval Air Force.
Variants:
Tu-16: Initial production version, rated to carry a single FAB-9000 conventional bomb (Comparable to the British Grand Slam, but without the British weapon's ground penetration capability, or 20,000 pounds of free-fall conventional bombs. NATO Designation Badger-A
Tu-16A: Main production version, modified Tu-16s with nuclear capability. NATO Code Badger-A
Tu-16Z: Aerial refueling variant (wing-to-wing) with free-fall bombing capability retained. NATO Code Badger-A.
Tu-16N: Dedicated tanker for Tu-22/-22M Blinder and Backfire bombers using probe and drogue refueling. Tu-16NNs converted from Tu-16Zs.
Tu-16T: SNAF version for maritime strike. Dedicated torpedo bomber with antiship torpedoes. Also capable of airborne minelaying. All converted to S configuration.
Tu-16S: SNAF SAR version with air-droppable lifeboat.
Tu-16KS: Missile carrier version with two AS-1 Kennel/KS-1 Komet missiles. Used by SNAF, Egypt, Indonesia. Soviet versions upgraded with newer avionics and missiles. NATO Code Badger-B.
Tu-16K-10: Missile carrier with one AS-2 Kipper/K-10S antiship missile. First version with nose radar installed in place of bombardier's station. Later upgraded to carry one Kipper and two either AS-5 Kelt/KSR-2 or AS-6 Kingfish/KSR-5 ASMs and redesignatied Tu-16K-10-26. SNAF. NATO code Badger-C.
Tu-16RM: Maritime Reconnaissance version with ELINT equipment and nose radar. Could act as mid-course guidance platform for K-10S missiles. SNAF. NATO Code Badger-D.
Tu-16R: Reconnaissance version with ELINT equipment and midcourse guidance capability. SNAF and later, Cuban AF. Some modified to RM-2 version to guide KSR series of missiles. NATO Code Badger-E.
Tu-16KRM: Launch platform for target drones.
Tu-16RM-2: Reconnaissance version based on RM/RM-2, but with additional ELINT pods carried externally. NATO Code Badger-F. SNAF.
Tu-16K/KSR: Missile carrier modified from KS and K-10 versions, along with new production, but with free-fall bombing capability added. Tu-16KSR-2 version carried two AS-5/KSR-2 missiles: those modified from previous KS/K-10 versions designated Tu-16K-16. Tu-16K-11 or K-16 with AS-5/KSR-2 or AS-5/KSR-11 (antiradar version of KSR-2). Tu-16K-26 with two AS-6 Kingfish/KSR-5, but retaining AS-5 capability. Some designated Tu-16K-2-5-11 or Tu-16K-2-5, with the latter having no KSR-11 capability. Tu-16K-26P with antiradar version of AS-6/KSR-5 carried, and retaining full AS-5/6 capability. All used by SNAF. NATO Code Badger-G.
Tu-16 Elka: Standoff ECM/ELINT platform. NATO Code Badger-H.
Tu-16P: ECM strike escort version. NATO Code Badger-J.
Tu-16Ye: Modernized Badger-F with upgraded ELINT systems. NATO Code Badger-K.
Tu-16P: Modernized Badger-J with upgraded ECM and ELINT pods added. NATO Code Badger-L.
Xian H-6: Chinese license-built version with free-fall bomber, tanker, and missile carrier versions for both Chinese AF and Navy. Information on the aircraft's service is scanty at best due to the lack of reliable sources from what was China.
The Tu-16 family saw extensive war service, with SNAF Badgers striking targets in Alaska and in the Philippines (Clark AB and Subic Bay NS) on the first day, as well as flying maritime strike missions out of fields in both Occupied Alaska and Iceland. A Cuban Air Force Regiment of Tu-16s, formed in late 1985, also flew missions against both maritime targets as well as strikes against both the Southern and Southeastern U.S., as well as Puerto Rico.
The aircraft was also involved in the Second Russian Civil War, flying in Russian Republic, Far East Republic, Ukrainian, and several smaller states' service, as well as the Rump USSR. All were out of service within a year of the Civil War's end.
Users:
Soviet Union: Primarily served in the AV-MF (Soviet Naval Air Force), but some did serve in SAF units, transferring to SAF control as circumstances dictated.
Cuba: One regiment with bomber and reconnaissance versions served 1986-7, before being nearly wiped out in a failed attack on the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy battle group. No replacements delivered due to Soviet needs and the liberation of Iceland. Two aircraft found derelict on Holguin AB after fall of Castro Regime.
Egypt: Two Squadrons of K, KSR-2-11, and R active during the war, but no combat. Retired 1990 due to lack of spares. Scrapped.
Iraq: One squadron saw combat in Iran-Iraq War. All out of service c. 1990 due to lack of spares. All belived to be scrapped.
Indonesia: 26 KS aircraft acquired in 1961, grounded 1969 and retired 1970. All scrapped.
Captured Aircraft:
Several Badger-G and RM versions found in Alaska after Soviet Forces surrendered in the Northern Theater in 1989, and passed to USAF for evaluation. One Badger-G now on display Pima Air Museum in Arizona, one G at Warner Robins Air Museum, GA, and one G at Eglin AFB USAF Armament Museum, alongside AS-2, AS-5, and AS-6 missiles. One G donated to RAF Museum, Cosford by USAF. Several missile tests believed carried out by USAF, but unconfirmed.
The Tu-16 Badger in World War III
The Tupolev Tu-16 Badger was the Soviet Union's first medium jet bomber, comparable to the B-47. Unlike its Boeing counterpart, the Tu-16 enjoyed a long service life in Soviet and Soviet client service, as well as having a license-built version seeing service with the Chinese. The aircraft had numerous variants, all of which saw extensive service in both the Soviet Air Force and the Soviet Naval Air Force.
Variants:
Tu-16: Initial production version, rated to carry a single FAB-9000 conventional bomb (Comparable to the British Grand Slam, but without the British weapon's ground penetration capability, or 20,000 pounds of free-fall conventional bombs. NATO Designation Badger-A
Tu-16A: Main production version, modified Tu-16s with nuclear capability. NATO Code Badger-A
Tu-16Z: Aerial refueling variant (wing-to-wing) with free-fall bombing capability retained. NATO Code Badger-A.
Tu-16N: Dedicated tanker for Tu-22/-22M Blinder and Backfire bombers using probe and drogue refueling. Tu-16NNs converted from Tu-16Zs.
Tu-16T: SNAF version for maritime strike. Dedicated torpedo bomber with antiship torpedoes. Also capable of airborne minelaying. All converted to S configuration.
Tu-16S: SNAF SAR version with air-droppable lifeboat.
Tu-16KS: Missile carrier version with two AS-1 Kennel/KS-1 Komet missiles. Used by SNAF, Egypt, Indonesia. Soviet versions upgraded with newer avionics and missiles. NATO Code Badger-B.
Tu-16K-10: Missile carrier with one AS-2 Kipper/K-10S antiship missile. First version with nose radar installed in place of bombardier's station. Later upgraded to carry one Kipper and two either AS-5 Kelt/KSR-2 or AS-6 Kingfish/KSR-5 ASMs and redesignatied Tu-16K-10-26. SNAF. NATO code Badger-C.
Tu-16RM: Maritime Reconnaissance version with ELINT equipment and nose radar. Could act as mid-course guidance platform for K-10S missiles. SNAF. NATO Code Badger-D.
Tu-16R: Reconnaissance version with ELINT equipment and midcourse guidance capability. SNAF and later, Cuban AF. Some modified to RM-2 version to guide KSR series of missiles. NATO Code Badger-E.
Tu-16KRM: Launch platform for target drones.
Tu-16RM-2: Reconnaissance version based on RM/RM-2, but with additional ELINT pods carried externally. NATO Code Badger-F. SNAF.
Tu-16K/KSR: Missile carrier modified from KS and K-10 versions, along with new production, but with free-fall bombing capability added. Tu-16KSR-2 version carried two AS-5/KSR-2 missiles: those modified from previous KS/K-10 versions designated Tu-16K-16. Tu-16K-11 or K-16 with AS-5/KSR-2 or AS-5/KSR-11 (antiradar version of KSR-2). Tu-16K-26 with two AS-6 Kingfish/KSR-5, but retaining AS-5 capability. Some designated Tu-16K-2-5-11 or Tu-16K-2-5, with the latter having no KSR-11 capability. Tu-16K-26P with antiradar version of AS-6/KSR-5 carried, and retaining full AS-5/6 capability. All used by SNAF. NATO Code Badger-G.
Tu-16 Elka: Standoff ECM/ELINT platform. NATO Code Badger-H.
Tu-16P: ECM strike escort version. NATO Code Badger-J.
Tu-16Ye: Modernized Badger-F with upgraded ELINT systems. NATO Code Badger-K.
Tu-16P: Modernized Badger-J with upgraded ECM and ELINT pods added. NATO Code Badger-L.
Xian H-6: Chinese license-built version with free-fall bomber, tanker, and missile carrier versions for both Chinese AF and Navy. Information on the aircraft's service is scanty at best due to the lack of reliable sources from what was China.
The Tu-16 family saw extensive war service, with SNAF Badgers striking targets in Alaska and in the Philippines (Clark AB and Subic Bay NS) on the first day, as well as flying maritime strike missions out of fields in both Occupied Alaska and Iceland. A Cuban Air Force Regiment of Tu-16s, formed in late 1985, also flew missions against both maritime targets as well as strikes against both the Southern and Southeastern U.S., as well as Puerto Rico.
The aircraft was also involved in the Second Russian Civil War, flying in Russian Republic, Far East Republic, Ukrainian, and several smaller states' service, as well as the Rump USSR. All were out of service within a year of the Civil War's end.
Users:
Soviet Union: Primarily served in the AV-MF (Soviet Naval Air Force), but some did serve in SAF units, transferring to SAF control as circumstances dictated.
Cuba: One regiment with bomber and reconnaissance versions served 1986-7, before being nearly wiped out in a failed attack on the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy battle group. No replacements delivered due to Soviet needs and the liberation of Iceland. Two aircraft found derelict on Holguin AB after fall of Castro Regime.
Egypt: Two Squadrons of K, KSR-2-11, and R active during the war, but no combat. Retired 1990 due to lack of spares. Scrapped.
Iraq: One squadron saw combat in Iran-Iraq War. All out of service c. 1990 due to lack of spares. All belived to be scrapped.
Indonesia: 26 KS aircraft acquired in 1961, grounded 1969 and retired 1970. All scrapped.
Captured Aircraft:
Several Badger-G and RM versions found in Alaska after Soviet Forces surrendered in the Northern Theater in 1989, and passed to USAF for evaluation. One Badger-G now on display Pima Air Museum in Arizona, one G at Warner Robins Air Museum, GA, and one G at Eglin AFB USAF Armament Museum, alongside AS-2, AS-5, and AS-6 missiles. One G donated to RAF Museum, Cosford by USAF. Several missile tests believed carried out by USAF, but unconfirmed.