* US sends aircraft carrier USS Nimitz to the Middle East
The US Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz headed towards the Middle East on June 16, a move that reflects Washington’s urgency to bolster its presence in the region amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran.
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| The USS Nimitz aircraft carrier is a mobile air base. Photo: US Navy |
The USS Nimitz was commissioned in 1975 and serves as the centerpiece of the Carrier Strike Group. A nuclear-powered supercarrier designed to project power, control the seas, and respond quickly to crises, the Nimitz can carry dozens of aircraft in sustained combat.
With a comprehensive air wing, advanced electronic warfare capabilities and a robust multi-layered defense system, the Nimitz is ideal for high-risk areas.
The presence of the Nimitz, along with the USS Carl Vinson (the USS Carl Vinson carrier strike group has been operating in the Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf since early June), in the Middle East not only enhances the flexibility of the US military, but also provides clear assurance to allies in the region and a direct warning to adversaries. It demonstrates both Washington’s resolve and readiness, reinforcing the message that deterrence and rapid crisis response remain key pillars of US defense policy.
* Sweden buys BONUS precision anti-tank artillery shells
Under a new contract worth approximately $62 million with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, BAE Systems Bofors will supply additional BONUS 155mm precision-guided artillery shells to the Swedish Armed Forces. This is the third time Sweden has ordered this type of shell since 2017.
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| The BONUS artillery round is specifically designed to enhance the effectiveness of 155mm fire systems by combining extended range and autonomous target engagement capabilities. Photo: BAE Systems |
The BONUS artillery shell is specially designed to enhance the effectiveness of 155mm fire systems by combining extended range and automatic engagement capabilities. Each BONUS shell consists of two sub-shells equipped with independent sensors capable of detecting and engaging separate targets within a range of 32,000m 2 .
The projectile can reach a maximum range of 35km when fired from a NATO standard L52 gun. The BONUS projectile is compatible with most existing 155mm artillery systems and does not require a dedicated launcher.
In terms of operations, BONUS can engage a wide range of armored vehicles such as infantry fighting vehicles, main battle tanks, armored personnel carriers, and self-propelled artillery. When deployed, two submunitions approach the target area, using multi-mode sensors to scan and identify targets based on shape, heat signature, and other unique characteristics. This process ensures that both submunitions can engage different vehicles independently, increasing the ability to disable multiple weapons in one shot.
* Russian Tu-160 bombers in combat in Ukraine
According to Army Recognition, Russia recently deployed Tu-160 strategic bombers to launch missile attacks on Ukrainian territory. This is the first time Tu-160 has been used in combat in Ukraine by Russia since the country launched a special military operation in Ukraine.
Two Tu-160 bombers joined a formation of seven Russian aircraft in a coordinated attack, firing a total of 36 Kh-101 long-range cruise missiles at targets across Ukraine.
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| Russian Tu-160 strategic bomber. Photo: militarnyi.com |
The Tu-160 is the world's heaviest supersonic bomber and a key part of Russia's nuclear triad. Known as the "White Swan", the Tu-160 can carry up to 12 Kh-101 cruise missiles. The Tu-160 was introduced in the early 1980s. Measuring 54m long and with a wingspan of up to 55.7m, the giant is powered by four NK-32 afterburner turbofan engines, each generating more than 25 tonnes of thrust. This allows the aircraft to reach a supersonic speed of Mach 2.2 (more than 2,700km/h), although it usually flies at a cruise speed of around Mach 1.5 (about 1,800km/h) to save fuel and extend its range.
With a maximum take-off weight of 275 tonnes, the Tu-160 can fly more than 12,000km without refueling, making it ideal for long-range missions.
The aircraft has two internal weapons bays, each of which can carry up to 22.5 tons of weapons. Among the most important weapons in the Tu-160's arsenal are the Kh-55SM cruise missiles and their new version, the Kh-555. These missiles have a range of up to 2,500km, allowing the aircraft to strike from a safe distance without entering enemy air defenses. The Kh-55SM is designed to carry a nuclear warhead, while the Kh-555 uses conventional explosives for precision strikes.
Notably, the Kh-101 missile has a range of up to 4,500km thanks to an advanced guidance system that combines inertial guidance, GPS positioning and terrain photography positioning. The Tu-160 can also carry the Kh-102, a nuclear-capable variant of the Kh-101.
In addition, the aircraft is capable of launching the Kh-47M2 “Kinzhal” hypersonic missile, which reaches speeds of up to Mach 10 (12,360 km/h) and is designed to penetrate modern air defense systems. Although rarely used, this missile emphasizes the adaptability of the Tu-160 to modern combat conditions.
In addition to missiles, the Tu-160 can carry a variety of bombs, including the KAB-1500 smart bomb, designed to destroy hardened targets such as bunkers or command centers.
MAI HUONG (synthesis)
* Today's World Military column on the People's Army Electronic Newspaper sends readers the latest information on world military security and defense activities in the past 24 hours.
Source: https://baodaknong.vn/quan-su-the-gioi-hom-nay-17-6-may-bay-nem-bom-tu-160-cua-nga-thuc-chien-tai-ukraine-255794.html
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