Grumman
TU-16C Albatross
The TU‑16C Albatross, produced by Grumman Aviation in the early 1960s, was a twin‑engine, long‑range maritime patrol and anti‑submarine aircraft that bridged the gap between World War II era designs and modern jet‑powered platforms. Development began in 1958 when the U.S. Navy sought a high‑performance successor to the P‑2 Neptune capable of operating from both carrier decks and land bases. Grumman leveraged the proven fuselage of the S‑2 Tracker, stretching it to a 68‑foot length and fitting it with two General Electric J79‑10 turbo‑jets, giving the Albatross a top speed of 620 mph and a range exceeding 3,200 nautical miles.
Key features included a state‑of‑the‑art AN/ASQ‑81 radar housed in a dorsal radome, magnetic anomaly detection (MAD) boom, and an internal weapons bay that could carry up to eight Mk 54 torpedoes or a combination of depth charges and air‑launched missiles. Advanced avionics allowed real‑time data links with surface ships, while a pressurised cabin provided crew comfort for missions lasting up to twelve hours.
Although only 112 units were built, the TU‑16C proved decisive during the Cuban Missile Crisis and later Cold‑War patrols, establishing Grumman’s reputation for versatile, carrier‑compatible aircraft and influencing the design of subsequent maritime platforms such as the P‑3 Orion.
Key features included a state‑of‑the‑art AN/ASQ‑81 radar housed in a dorsal radome, magnetic anomaly detection (MAD) boom, and an internal weapons bay that could carry up to eight Mk 54 torpedoes or a combination of depth charges and air‑launched missiles. Advanced avionics allowed real‑time data links with surface ships, while a pressurised cabin provided crew comfort for missions lasting up to twelve hours.
Although only 112 units were built, the TU‑16C proved decisive during the Cuban Missile Crisis and later Cold‑War patrols, establishing Grumman’s reputation for versatile, carrier‑compatible aircraft and influencing the design of subsequent maritime platforms such as the P‑3 Orion.
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Classification
Production & History
- Units Produced
- 5
Design & Classification
- Primary Use
- Manufacturer
- Grumman
- Nickname
- Albatross
- Military Designation
- TU-16C
- Wikidata ID
- Q18084699