Основное изображение

Tu-22М3

Long-range missile carrier bomber
information

ABOUT THE PLANE

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Development:
Tupolev Experimental Design Bureau
Production:
KAZ named after S.P. Gorbunov
First flight:
1977
Project stage:
modernization

Tu-22М3 long-range supersonic missile carrier bomber (NATO codification: Backfire) is designed to destroy sea- and ground-based targets by means of guided missiles and aerial bombs.

Design features

Tu-22M series aircraft are conventionally designed aircraft with a variable-swept low wing. The structure is made, mainly, of aluminum alloys as well as high-strength and heat-resistant steels, titanium alloys and magnesium alloys. The wing consists of a fixed part and all-movable panels. The sweep angle of the all-movable panels is from 20° to 65°. High-lift devices include slats, three-piece double-slotted flaps, three-piece spoilers, and no ailerons. Spoilers are deflected differentially for roll control and synchronously to use them as an airbrake. There is an all-flying tailplane. The aircraft has a semi-monocoque fuselage and retractable tricycle landing gear with nose-landing gear. The power unit consists of two НК-25 reheated double-flow turbofan engines. TA-6A APU is installed in the dorsal fin fairing.

Creation history

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The first Tu-22М3 prototype performed its maiden flight on June 20, 1977.
Since 1978, the aircraft was put into mass production. Tu-22М3 in its final configuration entered service in March 1989.

In total, about 500 Tu-22M aircraft of various modifications were built at the Kazan Aircraft Production Association.

In 2018, the first completely modernized Tu-22М3М missile carrier bomber was created within the framework of a large-scale modernization program for aircraft systems of strategic and long-range aviation. In the course of the complete modernization, the aircraft was equipped with an advanced digital avionics system based on the domestic components. The conducted works resulted in the considerable enhancement of combat capabilities of the aircraft system including increased tactical effectiveness and larger operational radius. The first flight of the completely modernized Tu-22М3М missile carrier bomber was on December 28, 2018.