Tupolev Tu-2000
Tu-2000 | |
---|---|
Role | Hypersonic technology demonstrator |
Manufacturer | Tupolev OKB |
Status | Cancelled |
Number built | 0 |
Variants | Tupolev Tu-360 |
The Tupolev Tu-2000 was a planned hypersonic experimental aircraft designed by the Tupolev design bureau. It was intended to test technologies for a single stage to orbit aerospaceplane and also the Tupolev Tu-360 intercontinental bomber.
Design and development
Development of the Tu-2000 was initiated in 1986 as a Soviet response to the U.S. Rockwell X-30 project.[1] Following the fall of the Soviet Union, Russia took over the project and pursued it until 1992, when it was suspended due to lack of funds.[2]
The experimental technology demonstrator would have weighed 70-90 metric tons and measured 196 feet long, while the single-stage-to-orbit vehicle would have weighed 210-280 metric tons and carried a maximum payload of 10 metric tons into earth orbits 124-249 miles (200-400 km) high.[3]
Specifications (Single-stage-to-orbit design)
Data from [3]
General characteristics
- Crew: two
- Capacity: 8,000 kilograms (18,000 lb) payload
- Length: 72 m (236 ft 3 in)
- Wingspan: 14 m (45 ft 11 in)
- Diameter: 13 m (42 ft 8 in)
- Max takeoff weight: 280,000 kg (617,294 lb)
- Powerplant: 6 × Liquid hydrogen (LH2) with liquid oxygen (LOX – as oxidizer) Turbo jet/scramjet
Performance
- Maximum speed: Mach 25 (in orbit)