reporting type nato reporting barge soviet prototype strategic bomber based reverse engineered copy boeing ultimate development family heavier ancestor nearly double range prototypes built program canceled favor bomber faster range development true intercontinental strategic bomber lacked range attack united_states bases soviet_union return designed achieve necessary range use powerful fuel efficient engines redesigned wing increase lift drag ratio addition fuel large number engines considered settling horsepower essentially air cooled radial engines paired liquid cooled horsepower bank engine similar configuration failed german engines given power recovery turbines converted turbo compound engines design preferred mature use selected lot effort design wing collaboration aspect ratio lift high altitudes carried litres gal fuel flexible tanks armament equipment derived late model including remotely controlled dorsal ventral turrets tail turret cannon tail turret ranging radar bomb bays enlarged hold bomb actual design work began august ratified directive dated september required prototype ready manufacturer tests december construction aircraft began july completed september flew january manufacturer tests lasted october september prototype flew bomb load landed fuel remaining covered second prototype referred russian incorporated lessons learned aircraft including revision reinforcement airframe variety changes equipment systems flown june trials lasted november series production approved march factories succeed production line reversed later year program cancelled korean war soviet brought bombers showing future aircraft combat use priority given higher performance prototype series power day generating shp early specifications data gordon history characteristics crew length wingspan height wing area weight loaded weight max takeoff weight powerplant turbo compound radial engines performance maximum speed mph range nmi service ceiling rate climb min wing loading power mass armament guns cannons turrets plus tail barbette bombs bombs
Tupolev Tu-85