In numbers Through the lens Video
Manufacturer: OKB Tupolev
Country: Russia
First flight: 1977
Introduction: 1978 or 1983 (1989 the modernized version)
Production stop: 1993
NATO reporting name: Backfire C
Also khown as: Tu-26
A supersonic medium-range swing-wing missile-carrying bomber powered by two NK-25 25.000-kgf turbofan engines. The Tu-22M prototype made its maiden flight on 30 August, 1969 with the Tu-22M3 prototype taking to the air on 20 June, 1977.
The Tu-22M had been under series production at the Kazan Gorbunov aircraft production association during 1969-1992. Over 500 aircraft were built in various versions, including in excess of 200 Tu-22M3s. Currently, the Tu-22M3 is operated by the Russian Air Force and Naval Aviation as well as by the Ukrainian Air Force.
The Tu-22M3 was used as the base to derive a long-range reconnaissance aircraft, an electronic countermeasures (ECM) aircraft as well as the Tu-22MLL flying testbed designed to hold prospective aircraft aerodynamic research.
Three-view drawing
Technical specifications
| DESIGNER | OKB Tupolev |
| COUNTRY | Russia |
| TYPE |
Long range Bomber
|
| CREW | 4 |
| POWER-PLANT | Two turbofan engines ΝΚ-22 |
| Thrust, kgf | 2x22.000 |
|
DIMENSIONS
|
|
|
Length, m
|
41,46 |
|
Height, m
|
11,15 |
|
Wing span, m
|
|
| - with sweep 20ο | 34,28 |
| - with sweep 65ο | 23,30 |
| Wing area, m2 | |
| - with sweep 20ο | 183,58 |
| - with sweep 65ο | 175,78 |
| WEIGHT | |
| Maximum take-off, kg | 126.000 |
| Normal take-off, kg | 78.000 |
| Empty aircraft, kg | - |
| Internal fuel, l | - |
| Warload, kg | |
| - in standard configuration | - |
| - maximum | 24.000 |
| PERFORMANCE | |
| Maximum speed (at high altitude, 10.000 m), km/h | 2.300 |
| Cruise speed, (with Kh-22M missiles for Tu-22M2) | 900 |
| Take-off speed, km/h | 370 |
| Landing speed, km/h | 285 |
| Range, km | - |
| Service ceiling, m | 13.000 |
| Take-off distance, m | 2.100 |
| Landing distance, m | 1.300 |
| Maximum overload, g | - |
| ARMAMENT | Permanent armament consists of a twin 23mm GSh-23 gun mounted directly above the engine nozzles. |
Photos Tu-22M3 Backfire C
