Tupolev Tu-22M | |
|---|---|
| Country | Soviet Union |
| Role | Strategic bomber/Maritime strike |
| First flight | 30 August 1969 |
| Built | 497 |
The Tupolev Tu-22M (Russian: Туполев Ту-22М; NATO reporting name: Backfire) is a supersonic, variable-sweep wing, long-range strategic and maritime strike bomber developed by the Tupolev Design Bureau. According to some sources, the bomber was believed to be designated Tu-26 at one time. During the Cold War, the Tu-22M was operated by the Soviet Air Force (VVS) in a strategic bombing role, and by the Soviet Naval Aviation (Aviacija Vojenno-Morskogo Flota, AVMF) in a long-range maritime anti-shipping role.[2] Significant numbers remain in service with the Russian Air Force, and as of 2014 more than 100 Tu-22Ms are in use.
Source: Tupolev Tu-22M on Wikipedia
| Tu-22MO Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographer | Unknow |
| Localisation | Unknow |
| Photos | 26 |
| Tu-22 KD Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographer | Unknow |
| Localisation | Unknow |
| Photos | 47 |
| Tupolev Tu-22 Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographer | Unknow |
| Localisation | Unknow |
| Photos | 80 |
See also:
A New Breed of Strategic Power
The Tupolev Tu-22M is 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 |
| Crew | 4 (Pilot, Co-pilot, Navigator, Weapons System Officer) |
| First Flight | August 30, 1969 (Tu-22M0) |
| Powerplant | 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 definitive Tu-22M3 introduced 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 the Kh-32 cruise 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.
Views : 4309
You can see also :
Tupolev Tu-134 – Photos & Video
Fairey Delta 2 – Photos & Videos
Handley Page Halifax – Photos & Videos
Grumman G-21 Goose – Photos & Videos
Tupolev Tu-142 – Photos & Video
Tupolev TU-2 – Photos & Video
Tupolev Tu-95MS Bear – Photos & Video
Tupolev Tu-4 Bull – Photos & Video
Tupolev Tu-16 Badger – Photos & Video
Focke-Wulf FW-190 – Walk Around