Hypersonic "Dagger" on the Tu-160. Reality or fiction?
One of the main News The defense theme of 2018 was the entry into service of the Aerospace Forces (VKS) of Russia hypersonic complex “Dagger”. Hypersonic aviation the X-47M Dagger complex is based on the Iskander missile system. The complex includes a missile redesigned for aviation applications and a MIG-31 aircraft modernized for its use (MIG-31K modification).
The emergence of the complex "Dagger" caused a heated debate. First of all, the questions related to the concept of "hypersonic", with respect to the missile complex "Dagger". Usually “hypersonic” is called aircraft that support high speed (above five Mach) on most of the flight path. It uses a hypersonic ramjet engine. An example is the American X-51 prototype rocket.
Also, the most promising Russian anti-ship Zircon missile is likely to be a classic hypersonic aircraft (reliable data about this missile are not yet available).
Based on this, it is more correct to say that the Dagger missile is aeroballistic, like X-15 missiles, developed by the USSR. On the other hand, the assignment of an aircraft to a hypersonic arms based on the power plant is not a dogma, more importantly, what part of the trajectory is overcome at hypersonic speed. If most of the rocket’s trajectory of the Dagger complex runs at a speed above 5 Max, then the developers' claims for a “hypersound” are well founded.
The second unknown value of the “Dagger” complex is the guidance system in the final segment. If an inertial navigation system (INS), combined with positioning on GLONASS satellites, is quite enough to hit stationary objects, then the stated possibility of hitting mobile ship-like targets raises questions. If the “Dagger” rocket hits the target at hypersonic speed, then the question arises how optical or radar guidance works through a plasma cocoon arising around the rocket when moving at high speeds due to temperature heating. If, on reaching the target, the speed of the rocket is reduced to ensure the operation of the guidance tools, the question arises how vulnerable the Dagger missile becomes for the enemy’s air defense.
On the other hand, if the developer did not go astray, implying that objects immobile near the pier by the defeat of the ships, then perhaps a solution to the problem of the plasma cocoon permeability was found. Perhaps the task of controlling and targeting through the plasma cocoon was solved during the development of the Zircon hypersonic rocket, and its solution was used to create the Dagger rocket.
According to some information, the Dagger rocket is equipped with an optical homing device at the final segment with a resolution of one meter. In this case, the question arises, what channels are used in the optical GOS - the visible range, thermal, or a combination of them.
The flight time of the Dagger rocket, when launched from a distance of 1000 km and an average flight speed of 5 Max, will be approximately 10 minutes. If we assume that the target designation was issued at the time of launch, during this time the ship can move a maximum of 10 km., I.e. the search area will be a circle with a diameter of 20 km. If the target speed is less, or the rocket is not detected immediately, but at a distance, for example, 500 km, the search zone will decrease to 8-10 km. If the average speed of the Dagger rocket is higher than five Mach, the target search zone will be further reduced.
Regardless of whether the Dagger rocket is completely hypersonic, and whether it is capable of hitting mobile targets, it is safe to say that the Dagger complex, like its ground prototype of the Iskander complex, is formidable and effective weapons, at least to destroy stationary ground targets. Of the advantages relative to the existing air-based cruise missiles, the time required for hitting a target can be called significantly less due to the high speed of the Dagger missile.
The first carrier of the Dagger missile was the upgraded MiG-31K interceptor. To reduce the weight of the MiG-31K dismantled part of the equipment, including a radar station. The plane carries one rocket complex "Dagger". Due to the dismantling of the equipment, the use of the MIG-31K, which has been upgraded to Dagger, as an interceptor, becomes impossible.
How expedient such castling is in case of a shortage of fighters and interceptors in Russia is a difficult question. Perhaps the leadership of the armed forces is so confident in the effectiveness of the Dagger complex that it is ready to sacrifice part of the interceptors for this. At the moment, ten MIG-31K are on duty in the Southern Military District. The exact number of interceptors planned for modernization is unknown, the figures were called up to 100 pcs. If this figure is recruited by aircraft from storage (the order is about 250 units MIG-31), then this will be a good solution, but if MIG-31 airplanes currently used as interceptors are converted, then the last armed forces will hardly remain .
In my opinion, MIG-31 is interesting primarily as an interceptor. In the near future, many high-speed high-altitude targets, including hypersonic missiles of a potential enemy, may appear. By upgrading the MIG-31 radar with an active phased array antenna (AFAR) and the corresponding weapons, you can get a complex that can deal with such threats on long-distance approaches.
Another promising carrier of the Dagger complex missiles is the upgraded supersonic bomber-missile carrier Tu-22М3М.
According to media reports, it is planned to deploy up to four Dagger missiles on it. The maximum combat load of the Tu-22М3М is 24 tons. The armament of the Tu-22М3 with three X-22 missiles weighing approximately six tons each was considered to be loading "into overload", which was reflected in a decrease in the range and speed of flight. Similarly, the suspension of the four missiles of the Dagger complex is likely to affect the flight characteristics of the Tu-22М3М, and to obtain the maximum range, the missile carrier bomber will be armed with two missiles.
It should be noted that the use of the Tu-22М3М bomber-carrier bomber is more expedient than the MIG-31K, since in this case the armed forces do not lose the interceptors that the country needs and the combat load of the aircraft + missile complex significantly increase. Up to 2020, the TU-22М3М version is planned to upgrade thirty missile-carrying bombers.
Can the Dagger complex be adapted for other carriers? It will be possible to consider the option of equipping the "Dagger" of Sukhoi aircraft, for example, Su-30, Su-34 or Su-35. However, this is hardly an effective solution. With all its merits, a fighter will be able to carry a maximum of one rocket, while completely losing its maneuverability characteristics. It is better to direct their modernization towards equipping radar with AFAR and modern air-to-air missiles. The resource of the Su-24 front-line bombers is coming to an end, and it hardly makes sense to equip them with such modern weapons.
Thus, only strategic missile carrier bombers Tu-95MS / MSM and Tu-160М remain as candidates for modernization.
It can be argued that these machines are an integral part of the nuclear triad, and it is not expedient to “divert” them to other tasks. It must be admitted that the role of rocket-carrying bombers in the nuclear triad is minimal. Airplanes dispersed at the aerodrome represent an excellent target for both nuclear and conventional weapons. The only way to keep the aviation component of the nuclear triad in the event of a sudden strike is to keep the aircraft in 10-15 ready for launch at the start, or even better on duty in the air. But no one will do this because of the huge cost of each flight hour and the rapid wear of the “strategists” resource.
Moreover, even during a local conflict in Syria, strategic bombers were occasionally recruited. Of course, the goal was rather a demonstration of weapons, and advanced training of pilots, but the fact remains. And the presence of non-nuclear long-range cruise missiles such as X-95 and X-160 in the arsenal of the Tu-555MS / MSM and Tu-101М clearly indicates the possibility of their use in non-nuclear conflicts. In the event of a local conflict with a technically advanced adversary, the capabilities of strategic aviation will be very helpful.
It can be concluded that the use of strategic bomber-rocket carriers in local conflicts is fully justified. And it’s stupid to let such firepower stand idle, waiting for a nuclear apocalypse, when local wars are going on right now, and the losses in them are quite real.
We return directly to the aircraft. At present, the 46 Tu-95MS and 14 Tu-95MSМ are in service with the VKS of Russia. The modification of the Tu-95K-22, removed from service, could carry three X-22 missiles, two on the external sling and one in a semi-submerged state in the fuselage. Like the Tu-22М3, the loading of three missiles exceeds the mass of the normal combat load of the Tu-95 and reduces the radius of the aircraft. The mass of the X-22 rocket exceeds the mass of the Dagger rocket, i.e. theoretically, it turns out that such a modernization is possible.
On the other hand, the height and speed of the Tu-95MS / MSM are significantly inferior to the capabilities of the MiG-31K and Tu-22М3М aircraft. If there is a certain minimum threshold for the height and speed of the carrier required for launching the Dagger rocket and the missile’s achievement of the declared characteristics, and the flight data of the Tu-95MS / MSM do not meet these requirements, then placing the Dagger rocket on this aircraft becomes impossible . Otherwise, everything depends on the complexity and cost of such an upgrade, i.e. cost / effectiveness criterion. It is necessary to take into account that, taking into account the low speed of the Tu-95MS / MSM, the total time for performing the combat task with the aircraft + missile complex will increase markedly, while the huge EPR of the Tu-95MS / MSM glider will make it easy prey for the aircraft of the likely enemy.
Only one candidate remains - the strategic bomber-missile carrier Tu-160М / М2. The VKS of Russia is armed with the 17 Tu-160, all airplanes are planned to be upgraded to the Tu-160M version. It is also planned to build another 50 aircraft modification Tu-160М2.
The height and speed of the Tu-160М / М2 are comparable with those of the MIG-31K and Tu-22М3М. At the same time, the range and combat load are much larger.
Excerpt from the flight characteristics of the Tu-160:
Air defense breakthrough at speed:
- high altitude (Hi) - 1,9М;
- at low altitude (Lo) with automatic rounding of the terrain - to 1 M.
The ceiling is practical - 15000 m (18000 m according to other data).
Flight range (without refueling):
- Hi-Hi-Hi mode, speed <1M, PN weight 9000 kg - 14000-16000 km;
- Hi-Lo-Hi mode (including 2000 km at an altitude of 50-200 m) or at a speed> 1M - 12000-13000 km;
- Hi-Hi-Hi mode, mass MON 22400 kg with maximum take-off weight - 12300 km;
- with maximum payload - 10500 km.
The range of a single refueling mode Lo-Lo-Lo or Hi-Lo-Hi - 7300 km;
The radius of action at cruising speed 1,5M, without refueling - 2000 km.
From the above characteristics it can be seen that the capabilities of the Tu-160М / М2 allow to realize the most diverse scenarios of its use when departing from the Engels airbase (Saratov region).
With the fastest possible exit to the target with a cruising speed of 1,5М, the total damage radius of the Dagger complex will be 3000-3500 km. This mode will provide the minimum response time to the threat and allow you to act in the interests of the three fleets. The maximum time from the moment of take-off (without taking into account the time the aircraft was prepared for departure), until the target is hit at a distance of 3000-3500 km, in this mode will be approximately 2-2,5 hours.
In the most economical mode, when flying at subsonic speeds at high altitude, the radius of impact will be 7000-7500 km. This mode allows you to use the Tu-160М / М2 with the Dagger complex in the interests of all four fleets.
When using refueling in the air, the range of the Tu-160М / М2 + Dagger ligament will significantly increase.
Thus, the use of the Dagger complex as part of the Tu-160M / M2 aircraft will create a threat fleets and ground bases of a potential enemy at a great distance from the borders of the Russian Federation. A significant radius of action allows you to build a flight route Tu-160M / M2 bypassing the air defense zones and enemy fighter aircraft.
How difficult is the integration of the Dagger complex with the Tu-160М / М2 technically? The currently used armament of the Tu-160М / М2 is smaller and lighter than the Dagger missiles. Theoretically, the size of the weapons bay allows 3-4 missiles of the Dagger complex to be placed, but the question of compatibility with the MKU-6-5U drum launcher remains. If the dismantling or substantial modernization of the launcher is required, the expediency of integrating the Dagger complex may be in question.
Another factor against the integration of the Dagger and the Tu-160М / М2 is the potentially quick adoption (hopefully) of the Zircon hypersonic missile. Perhaps the tactical and technical characteristics will make it more attractive for integration with the Tu-160М / М2, rather than the integration of the complex "Dagger". If the declared possibility of launching a Zircon rocket from typical DPS is real, then its weight and size characteristics should be comparable to the Caliber missiles (diameter 533 mm) and X-101 / 102 (diameter 740 mm), which will allow placing them six units in one compartment of weapons Tu-160М / М2, full ammunition will be twelve Zircon missiles.
On the other hand, the cost of the Zircon and Dagger missiles must also be taken into account. If the Zirkon missiles are "golden", then it will not allow them to be in service in large numbers, while the Dagger missile must be comparable in value to the Iskander missile, which is mass-produced. The ammunition of the Dagger missiles on the Tu-160M / M will most likely be no more than six units.
Still remains the issue of targeting. In the absence of effective means of external targeting, the development of any weapon systems intended for use outside the detection zone of the carrier’s reconnaissance means is meaningless. This is equally true for the VKS, for the Navy, and for the ground forces.
It remains in question the effectiveness of the complex "Dagger" on a moving target. In order to dispel doubts, the armed forces could conduct a demonstration of the Dagger tests on a decommissioned ship. I don’t think that such a demonstration can reveal some global secrets, but doubts about the effectiveness of the Dagger complex in many respects.
For the Russian Navy, it is not the first time to use strategic bomber class aircraft for solving their tasks. Apart from the above-mentioned Tu-95K-22, it was actively used, and the long-range anti-submarine aircraft Tu-142, based on the Tu-95, is in service until now. Currently, the Russian Navy is armed with 12 Tu-142MK / MH (anti-submarine version) and 10 Tu-142МР (airplane repeater). At the same time, all Tu-22М3 aircraft were withdrawn from the Navy and transferred to the Russian Federation Air Force.
It is possible that, taking into account the construction of a large series of Tu-160М2 (50 units), it is advisable to use some of them in the interests of the Navy. If the integration of the Dagger complex does not require significant modifications of the Tu-160М / М2, then all airplanes can be adapted for its use: both modernized and newly built.
Missile complex "Dagger", placed on the MIG-31K
The emergence of the complex "Dagger" caused a heated debate. First of all, the questions related to the concept of "hypersonic", with respect to the missile complex "Dagger". Usually “hypersonic” is called aircraft that support high speed (above five Mach) on most of the flight path. It uses a hypersonic ramjet engine. An example is the American X-51 prototype rocket.
Experienced hypersonic rocket X-51
Also, the most promising Russian anti-ship Zircon missile is likely to be a classic hypersonic aircraft (reliable data about this missile are not yet available).
India-announced BRAHMOS II rocket demonstrates the most likely appearance of a Zircon hypersonic rocket
Based on this, it is more correct to say that the Dagger missile is aeroballistic, like X-15 missiles, developed by the USSR. On the other hand, the assignment of an aircraft to a hypersonic arms based on the power plant is not a dogma, more importantly, what part of the trajectory is overcome at hypersonic speed. If most of the rocket’s trajectory of the Dagger complex runs at a speed above 5 Max, then the developers' claims for a “hypersound” are well founded.
The second unknown value of the “Dagger” complex is the guidance system in the final segment. If an inertial navigation system (INS), combined with positioning on GLONASS satellites, is quite enough to hit stationary objects, then the stated possibility of hitting mobile ship-like targets raises questions. If the “Dagger” rocket hits the target at hypersonic speed, then the question arises how optical or radar guidance works through a plasma cocoon arising around the rocket when moving at high speeds due to temperature heating. If, on reaching the target, the speed of the rocket is reduced to ensure the operation of the guidance tools, the question arises how vulnerable the Dagger missile becomes for the enemy’s air defense.
On the other hand, if the developer did not go astray, implying that objects immobile near the pier by the defeat of the ships, then perhaps a solution to the problem of the plasma cocoon permeability was found. Perhaps the task of controlling and targeting through the plasma cocoon was solved during the development of the Zircon hypersonic rocket, and its solution was used to create the Dagger rocket.
According to some information, the Dagger rocket is equipped with an optical homing device at the final segment with a resolution of one meter. In this case, the question arises, what channels are used in the optical GOS - the visible range, thermal, or a combination of them.
The flight time of the Dagger rocket, when launched from a distance of 1000 km and an average flight speed of 5 Max, will be approximately 10 minutes. If we assume that the target designation was issued at the time of launch, during this time the ship can move a maximum of 10 km., I.e. the search area will be a circle with a diameter of 20 km. If the target speed is less, or the rocket is not detected immediately, but at a distance, for example, 500 km, the search zone will decrease to 8-10 km. If the average speed of the Dagger rocket is higher than five Mach, the target search zone will be further reduced.
Regardless of whether the Dagger rocket is completely hypersonic, and whether it is capable of hitting mobile targets, it is safe to say that the Dagger complex, like its ground prototype of the Iskander complex, is formidable and effective weapons, at least to destroy stationary ground targets. Of the advantages relative to the existing air-based cruise missiles, the time required for hitting a target can be called significantly less due to the high speed of the Dagger missile.
The first carrier of the Dagger missile was the upgraded MiG-31K interceptor. To reduce the weight of the MiG-31K dismantled part of the equipment, including a radar station. The plane carries one rocket complex "Dagger". Due to the dismantling of the equipment, the use of the MIG-31K, which has been upgraded to Dagger, as an interceptor, becomes impossible.
How expedient such castling is in case of a shortage of fighters and interceptors in Russia is a difficult question. Perhaps the leadership of the armed forces is so confident in the effectiveness of the Dagger complex that it is ready to sacrifice part of the interceptors for this. At the moment, ten MIG-31K are on duty in the Southern Military District. The exact number of interceptors planned for modernization is unknown, the figures were called up to 100 pcs. If this figure is recruited by aircraft from storage (the order is about 250 units MIG-31), then this will be a good solution, but if MIG-31 airplanes currently used as interceptors are converted, then the last armed forces will hardly remain .
In my opinion, MIG-31 is interesting primarily as an interceptor. In the near future, many high-speed high-altitude targets, including hypersonic missiles of a potential enemy, may appear. By upgrading the MIG-31 radar with an active phased array antenna (AFAR) and the corresponding weapons, you can get a complex that can deal with such threats on long-distance approaches.
Another promising carrier of the Dagger complex missiles is the upgraded supersonic bomber-missile carrier Tu-22М3М.
Roll-out of the first upgraded bomber missile-carrier Tu-22М3М
According to media reports, it is planned to deploy up to four Dagger missiles on it. The maximum combat load of the Tu-22М3М is 24 tons. The armament of the Tu-22М3 with three X-22 missiles weighing approximately six tons each was considered to be loading "into overload", which was reflected in a decrease in the range and speed of flight. Similarly, the suspension of the four missiles of the Dagger complex is likely to affect the flight characteristics of the Tu-22М3М, and to obtain the maximum range, the missile carrier bomber will be armed with two missiles.
It should be noted that the use of the Tu-22М3М bomber-carrier bomber is more expedient than the MIG-31K, since in this case the armed forces do not lose the interceptors that the country needs and the combat load of the aircraft + missile complex significantly increase. Up to 2020, the TU-22М3М version is planned to upgrade thirty missile-carrying bombers.
Can the Dagger complex be adapted for other carriers? It will be possible to consider the option of equipping the "Dagger" of Sukhoi aircraft, for example, Su-30, Su-34 or Su-35. However, this is hardly an effective solution. With all its merits, a fighter will be able to carry a maximum of one rocket, while completely losing its maneuverability characteristics. It is better to direct their modernization towards equipping radar with AFAR and modern air-to-air missiles. The resource of the Su-24 front-line bombers is coming to an end, and it hardly makes sense to equip them with such modern weapons.
Thus, only strategic missile carrier bombers Tu-95MS / MSM and Tu-160М remain as candidates for modernization.
It can be argued that these machines are an integral part of the nuclear triad, and it is not expedient to “divert” them to other tasks. It must be admitted that the role of rocket-carrying bombers in the nuclear triad is minimal. Airplanes dispersed at the aerodrome represent an excellent target for both nuclear and conventional weapons. The only way to keep the aviation component of the nuclear triad in the event of a sudden strike is to keep the aircraft in 10-15 ready for launch at the start, or even better on duty in the air. But no one will do this because of the huge cost of each flight hour and the rapid wear of the “strategists” resource.
Moreover, even during a local conflict in Syria, strategic bombers were occasionally recruited. Of course, the goal was rather a demonstration of weapons, and advanced training of pilots, but the fact remains. And the presence of non-nuclear long-range cruise missiles such as X-95 and X-160 in the arsenal of the Tu-555MS / MSM and Tu-101М clearly indicates the possibility of their use in non-nuclear conflicts. In the event of a local conflict with a technically advanced adversary, the capabilities of strategic aviation will be very helpful.
It can be concluded that the use of strategic bomber-rocket carriers in local conflicts is fully justified. And it’s stupid to let such firepower stand idle, waiting for a nuclear apocalypse, when local wars are going on right now, and the losses in them are quite real.
We return directly to the aircraft. At present, the 46 Tu-95MS and 14 Tu-95MSМ are in service with the VKS of Russia. The modification of the Tu-95K-22, removed from service, could carry three X-22 missiles, two on the external sling and one in a semi-submerged state in the fuselage. Like the Tu-22М3, the loading of three missiles exceeds the mass of the normal combat load of the Tu-95 and reduces the radius of the aircraft. The mass of the X-22 rocket exceeds the mass of the Dagger rocket, i.e. theoretically, it turns out that such a modernization is possible.
Missiles X-22 on the Tu-95K-22
On the other hand, the height and speed of the Tu-95MS / MSM are significantly inferior to the capabilities of the MiG-31K and Tu-22М3М aircraft. If there is a certain minimum threshold for the height and speed of the carrier required for launching the Dagger rocket and the missile’s achievement of the declared characteristics, and the flight data of the Tu-95MS / MSM do not meet these requirements, then placing the Dagger rocket on this aircraft becomes impossible . Otherwise, everything depends on the complexity and cost of such an upgrade, i.e. cost / effectiveness criterion. It is necessary to take into account that, taking into account the low speed of the Tu-95MS / MSM, the total time for performing the combat task with the aircraft + missile complex will increase markedly, while the huge EPR of the Tu-95MS / MSM glider will make it easy prey for the aircraft of the likely enemy.
Only one candidate remains - the strategic bomber-missile carrier Tu-160М / М2. The VKS of Russia is armed with the 17 Tu-160, all airplanes are planned to be upgraded to the Tu-160M version. It is also planned to build another 50 aircraft modification Tu-160М2.
Strategic bomber bomber Tu-160
Rolling out the first prototype of the Tu-160, built after the resumption of production at the Kazan Aviation Plant
The height and speed of the Tu-160М / М2 are comparable with those of the MIG-31K and Tu-22М3М. At the same time, the range and combat load are much larger.
Excerpt from the flight characteristics of the Tu-160:
Air defense breakthrough at speed:
- high altitude (Hi) - 1,9М;
- at low altitude (Lo) with automatic rounding of the terrain - to 1 M.
The ceiling is practical - 15000 m (18000 m according to other data).
Flight range (without refueling):
- Hi-Hi-Hi mode, speed <1M, PN weight 9000 kg - 14000-16000 km;
- Hi-Lo-Hi mode (including 2000 km at an altitude of 50-200 m) or at a speed> 1M - 12000-13000 km;
- Hi-Hi-Hi mode, mass MON 22400 kg with maximum take-off weight - 12300 km;
- with maximum payload - 10500 km.
The range of a single refueling mode Lo-Lo-Lo or Hi-Lo-Hi - 7300 km;
The radius of action at cruising speed 1,5M, without refueling - 2000 km.
From the above characteristics it can be seen that the capabilities of the Tu-160М / М2 allow to realize the most diverse scenarios of its use when departing from the Engels airbase (Saratov region).
With the fastest possible exit to the target with a cruising speed of 1,5М, the total damage radius of the Dagger complex will be 3000-3500 km. This mode will provide the minimum response time to the threat and allow you to act in the interests of the three fleets. The maximum time from the moment of take-off (without taking into account the time the aircraft was prepared for departure), until the target is hit at a distance of 3000-3500 km, in this mode will be approximately 2-2,5 hours.
The approximate radius of destruction of targets by the Dagger missile when placed on a Tu-160М / М2. Reaching the launch line at 1,5M speed
In the most economical mode, when flying at subsonic speeds at high altitude, the radius of impact will be 7000-7500 km. This mode allows you to use the Tu-160М / М2 with the Dagger complex in the interests of all four fleets.
The approximate radius of destruction of targets by the "Dagger" missile system when placed on the Tu-160M / M2. Entering the launch line at a speed <1M, at a high altitude.
When using refueling in the air, the range of the Tu-160М / М2 + Dagger ligament will significantly increase.
Thus, the use of the Dagger complex as part of the Tu-160M / M2 aircraft will create a threat fleets and ground bases of a potential enemy at a great distance from the borders of the Russian Federation. A significant radius of action allows you to build a flight route Tu-160M / M2 bypassing the air defense zones and enemy fighter aircraft.
How difficult is the integration of the Dagger complex with the Tu-160М / М2 technically? The currently used armament of the Tu-160М / М2 is smaller and lighter than the Dagger missiles. Theoretically, the size of the weapons bay allows 3-4 missiles of the Dagger complex to be placed, but the question of compatibility with the MKU-6-5U drum launcher remains. If the dismantling or substantial modernization of the launcher is required, the expediency of integrating the Dagger complex may be in question.
Another factor against the integration of the Dagger and the Tu-160М / М2 is the potentially quick adoption (hopefully) of the Zircon hypersonic missile. Perhaps the tactical and technical characteristics will make it more attractive for integration with the Tu-160М / М2, rather than the integration of the complex "Dagger". If the declared possibility of launching a Zircon rocket from typical DPS is real, then its weight and size characteristics should be comparable to the Caliber missiles (diameter 533 mm) and X-101 / 102 (diameter 740 mm), which will allow placing them six units in one compartment of weapons Tu-160М / М2, full ammunition will be twelve Zircon missiles.
On the other hand, the cost of the Zircon and Dagger missiles must also be taken into account. If the Zirkon missiles are "golden", then it will not allow them to be in service in large numbers, while the Dagger missile must be comparable in value to the Iskander missile, which is mass-produced. The ammunition of the Dagger missiles on the Tu-160M / M will most likely be no more than six units.
Still remains the issue of targeting. In the absence of effective means of external targeting, the development of any weapon systems intended for use outside the detection zone of the carrier’s reconnaissance means is meaningless. This is equally true for the VKS, for the Navy, and for the ground forces.
It remains in question the effectiveness of the complex "Dagger" on a moving target. In order to dispel doubts, the armed forces could conduct a demonstration of the Dagger tests on a decommissioned ship. I don’t think that such a demonstration can reveal some global secrets, but doubts about the effectiveness of the Dagger complex in many respects.
For the Russian Navy, it is not the first time to use strategic bomber class aircraft for solving their tasks. Apart from the above-mentioned Tu-95K-22, it was actively used, and the long-range anti-submarine aircraft Tu-142, based on the Tu-95, is in service until now. Currently, the Russian Navy is armed with 12 Tu-142MK / MH (anti-submarine version) and 10 Tu-142МР (airplane repeater). At the same time, all Tu-22М3 aircraft were withdrawn from the Navy and transferred to the Russian Federation Air Force.
It is possible that, taking into account the construction of a large series of Tu-160М2 (50 units), it is advisable to use some of them in the interests of the Navy. If the integration of the Dagger complex does not require significant modifications of the Tu-160М / М2, then all airplanes can be adapted for its use: both modernized and newly built.
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