De Tupolev Tu-22M (Russisch: Туполев Ту-22М; NAVO-codenaam: Backfire) is een supersonische, variabele vleugel, lange afstand strategische en maritieme aanvalsbommenwerper ontwikkeld door het Tupolev Design Bureau. Volgens sommige bronnen werd aangenomen dat de bommenwerper ooit Tu-26 werd genoemd. Tijdens de Koude Oorlog werd de Tu-22M bediend door de Sovjet luchtmacht (VVS) in een strategische bombardementsrol, en door de Sovjet Marine Luchtvaart (Aviacija Vojenno-Morskogo Flota, AVMF) in een lange afstand maritieme anti-scheepvaart rol. [2] Aanzienlijke aantallen blijven in dienst bij de Russische luchtmacht en vanaf 2014 zijn meer dan 100 Tu-22M's in gebruik.
De Tupolev Tu-22Mis a supersonic, variable-sweep wing (swing-wing) strategic bomber that was the bane of NATO carrier battle groups during the Cold War. Despite its name, it shared almost nothing with the earlier, unsuccessful Tu-22 “Blinder.” Designed for high-speed, low-level maritime strikes and strategic bombing, the Tu-22M allowed the Soviet Union to project power far into the Atlantic and Pacific, carrying massive anti-ship missiles designed to overwhelm US Navy defenses.
Attribute
Technical Specification (Tu-22M3)
Role
Long-range Strategic Bomber / Maritime Strike
Bemanning
4 (Pilot, Co-pilot, Navigator, Weapons System Officer)
First Flight
August 30, 1969 (Tu-22M0)
Krachtbron
2 × Kuznetsov NK-25 afterburning turbofans
Thrust
55,100 lbf (245 kN) each with afterburner
Maximum Speed
Mach 1.88 (2,000 km/h) at altitude
Combat Radius
2,410 km (1,500 miles)
Primary Armament
Up to 3 × Kh-22 (AS-4 ‘Kitchen’) anti-ship missiles
The Evolution of “Swing-Wing” Lethality
Variable-Sweep Wings:The “Backfire” features wings that can sweep from 20° for takeoff and landing to 65° for supersonic dash. This allows the massive bomber to operate from relatively short runways while still maintaining the aerodynamic efficiency needed for Mach 1.8 flight.
The Kh-22 Missile:The Tu-22M’s primary teeth. This 6-ton missile was designed to strike aircraft carriers at Mach 4.6. Carrying a 1,000kg conventional warhead or a 350-kiloton nuclear charge, it was nearly impossible to intercept with 1970s technology.
Side-Mounted Intakes:While the earlier Tu-22M2 had smaller intakes, the definitiveTu-22M3introduced large, wedge-shaped supersonic intakes (similar to the MiG-25), which allowed the engines to breathe efficiently at nearly twice the speed of sound.
Tail Turret:Unlike modern Western bombers, the Tu-22M3 retains a remotely controlled tail turret armed with a twin-barrel 23mm GSh-23 cannon for self-defense against interceptors.
SALT Negotiations & Combat History
The Refueling Controversy:During the SALT II arms control talks, the US insisted the Tu-22M was an intercontinental bomber. To comply with the treaty, the Soviets famously removed the nose-mounted refueling probes from many aircraft to limit their range and prevent them from reaching the US mainland.
Afghanistan and Chechnya:The Backfire saw extensive use as a conventional “carpet bomber,” dropping tons of unguided FAB-3000 bombs on mountain strongholds.
Modernization (Tu-22M3M):Russia is currently upgrading the fleet to the M3M standard, featuring new digital avionics, the ability to fire theKh-32cruise missile, and the re-installation of refueling probes.
Operational Paradox:Despite its age, the Tu-22M3 remains one of the fastest and most survivable bombers in the Russian inventory, largely because its “high-speed dash” capability makes it difficult for ground-based air defenses to target.
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