8 photos of the Tu-160M2, the new long-range super bomber that Russia's answer to the B-1B Lancer

United Aircraft Corporation

Russia announced in late March that it will completely overhaul its entire Tu-160 long-range super bomber fleet by 2030. 

"We are going to purchase the entire fleet of our strategic Tu-160 bombers in their new version and carry out heavy upgrade of operational aircraft where only the fuselage will remain while all the onboard radio-electronic equipment and engines will be replaced," Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said, according to The National Interest. 

Russia unveiled its new Tu-160M2 Blackjack long-range super bomber in November, which "is a new bomber in all but name," Russian media said at the time, according to The Aviationist.

The new Blackjack is expected to go into mass production in 2021, and therefore its full capabilities are still unknown. 

But here's what we know so far:

Russia unveiled the new Tu-160M2 White Swan — codenamed Blackjack by NATO — in November 2017.

Source: airforce-technology.com, The Drive

It's an upgrade to the Tu-160M, seen below, which entered Russian service in 2014.

The original Tu-160 below first entered Soviet service in 1987.

See Also:

• How the suspected Syria gas attack turned into one of the biggest crises of Trump's presidency
• Netanyahu reportedly believes the US will order a military strike in Syria following suspected chemical attack
• The Army is adding more armor to counter Russia, and soldiers are already testing their new tanks out

SEE ALSO: 13 photos of the Su-57, Russia's first stealth fighter that can outmaneuver the F-22 Raptor