The Tu-160 'Blackjack' supersonic strategic bomber was originally built from 1980 to 1992. Production has been restarted, and delivery of new Tu-160s to the Russian Air Force commenced in May, 2000. Fourteen aircraft are in service with Russia at the present time. A single aircraft is under construction and scheduled for delivery in 2006. The Ukraine dismantled the last of its fleet of Blackjacks in February 2001. The aircraft is gargantuan when compared to similar planes such as the B-1B, operating in the weight class of heavy transports. Despite being refitted, the plane still has no HUD or MFD displays, retaining analog gauges for conveying information to the pilot and crew. Control is by means of a joystick rather than a yoke.
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