Article Summary: Russia’s PAK DA stealth bomber, codenamed Poslannik, is designed to replace the Tu-95 and Tu-160 bombers with a next-generation flying wing design.
Key Points #1 – However, major hurdles—economic sanctions, workforce shortages, and outdated stealth technology—threaten its development. While Moscow touts the PAK DA’s capabilities, including a 30-ton payload and AI-driven drone-teaming, delays continue to push its first flight into the late 2020s or beyond.
PAK DA stealth bomber. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Key Points #2 – Meanwhile, the U.S. is already deploying the B-21 Raider, leaving Russia struggling to keep pace. Is the PAK DA a game-changer or just another overhyped military project? Only time will tell.
Russia’s PAK DA Stealth Bomber: Hype or Reality?
The Russian PAK DA is a stealth bomber under development as part of the PAK [Perspectives of Aerial Complexes] program. Officially named the “Long-Range Aviation Complex,” the PAK-DA is designed to replace the aging Tu-95 and Tu-160 strategic bombers.
Designed by the Tupolev Design Bureau, which has produced the Tu-95 and the Tu-160. Russia expects this aircraft to undertake various missions, ranging from nuclear deterrence to conventional strike operations. It will focus on stealth and advanced avionics to evade the latest air defense systems.
The PAK DA stealth bomber codenamed Poslannik (Envoy or Messenger), is expected to replace the aging Tu-95 and Tu-160 bombers, the latter of which have been very effectively used in Ukraine. The PAK DA’s development began in 2008, and Russian President Vladimir Putin declared it an entirely new design.
Flying Wing Design, Akin To B-2, B-21
In August 2021, then-Deputy Prime Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov said that the first PAK DA prototype had begun production. He added that the prototype would be ready by 2023, with full-scale production starting in 2027. That was an ambitious timeline, considering they were building an entirely new aircraft system. But then, a few months later, Russia invaded Ukraine.
The Poslannik stealth bomber is touted as a subsonic sixth-generation aircraft capable of carrying 30 tons of nuclear and conventional weapons with a range of 7,500 miles. However, since the invasion, sanctions, a lack of funding, and the struggle to produce the necessary stealth technology have slowed progress.
Image: Artist rendition of PAK DA. Creative Commons license.
The PAK DA will feature a flying-wing design, internal weapons bays, AI, and drone-teaming (loyal wingman) capabilities. The bomber remains in prototype development, with its first flight delayed to 2025 at the earliest and production unlikely before 2030.
Is Russia Still A Generation Behind?
The Russians have wanted a stealth bomber design since the earliest days of the American B-2 bomber to drop bombs undetected on radar. The B-2 is about to be retired for the new B-21 Raider.
The American Raider is the next generation of stealth bombers, leaving Russia struggling to catch up. Will the Poslannik be able to leap into this next generation, or will they remain a generation behind in technology?
The Russian Aerospace Forces have built plenty of good fighters and bombers since the Cold War. However, creating a radical new flying wing design, something they haven’t done yet, infusing it with stealth technology, and the ability to carry 30 tons of ordinance—double that of the B-21 Raider—is a difficult task.
China is developing two stealth bombers, the H-20, and the JH-XX, but has yet to unveil a prototype for either aircraft. However, the capability of Chinese manufacturing is enormous. They should make fast strides once the prototype is produced.
Another concern for Russia is that they never sold Tupolev bombers on the foreign market. The lack of international sales meant that the workforce there generally eroded, moving on to other firms or projects. If they ever do get past the prototype stage, will they even have enough of a workforce for the bomber?
Stealth Is the Key: Does The PAK DA Have Enough?
The artist’s renderings show that the PAK DA incorporates a large, stealthy-looking blended wing-body fuselage and inlets built into the wings to avoid sharp protruding angles easily seen by ground-defense radar. But that is only a small part of stealth design.
Image is of artist rendering of new new PAK DA bomber. Image: Creative Commons.
However, it is in the realm of radar-absorbing materials and thermal management technologies that Russia has struggled.
In the US, stealth aircraft are manufactured using specialized composite radar-absorbing materials (RAM), which have stealthy qualities that are “baked in” at the autoclave.
Since the 1990s, Russian industry has relied on technology developed at the Scientific Centre for Applied Problems of Electrodynamics (SCAPE), a specialized facility. This technique involves treating the aircraft surface with external coatings and appliques in post-production.
Reuben Johnson recently wrote that he spoke with an aircraft analyst who said, “External treatments of this kind are effective up to a point, but they do not provide the level of survivability that is needed in a strategic platform. It is one of the many capabilities that prevent the Russian industry from completing this program.”
PAK DA Bomber. Image Credit: Artist Rendition/Creative Commons.
The B-21 Raider utilizes the top stealth capabilities in the world. The PAK DA bomber is not going to be able to match it in stealth or numbers. With the economic sanctions leveled at Russia for invading Ukraine and Western components needed for aircraft manufacturing in short supply, The date that the Russians can expect to produce the bomber will ultimately keep being pushed back into the 2030s and beyond.
Is it real, or is it just more hype?
About the Author:
Steve Balestrieri is a 19FortyFive National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing for 19FortyFive, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
