High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The Tupolev Tu-85 (USAF/DoD reporting name `Type 31`,NATO reporting name Barge) was a Soviet prototype strategic bomber based on the Tu-4, an unlicensed copy of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress. It was the ultimate development of the B-29 family, being over 50% heavier than its ancestor and had nearly double the range. Only two prototypes were built before the program was canceled in favor of the Tupolev Tu-95 bomber which was much faster and had the same range.