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The Tupolev Tu-95 has this long and quite substantial appearing projection from it's nose just under the cockpit windscreen:

Tupolev Tu-95

What is this? I initially though this might be a cannon but being a heavy bomber, that makes little sense as it would be quite difficult to aim effectively.

Bianfable
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jwh20
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1 Answers1

16

That boom is the refueling probe used for in-air refueling:

Tu-95RT

(image source: pinterest)

You can see it in action in this photo, where an Il-76 is refueling a Tu-95:

Tu-95 getting a refuel from a Il-76

(image source: reddit)

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