Tupolev Tu-22M (Backfire) Strategic Bomber / Maritime Strike Fighter (1972)
The Tupolev Tu-22M Backfire was a supersonic swing-wing development related to the original 1960s-era Tu-22 Blinder Medium Bomber.
While the original supersonic Tupolev Tu-22 "Blinder" medium bomber failed to live to its expectations in replacing the aging Tu-16 "Badger" series, work inevitably began on a "variable-geometry" of the same aircraft. Variable geometry wings were being researched as early as the 1930s and it was the Germans who made good progress on the subject in World War 2. The technology was furthered during the Cold War with the (arguably) best example of this type of aircraft being the American Grumman F-14 Tomcat carrier-based interceptor. Other aircraft to incorporate this technology ultimately included the Rockwell B-1 "Lancer", the General Dynamics F-111 "Aardvark", the MiG-23/MiG-27 "Flogger", the Panavia "Tornado" and the Tupolev Tu-160 "Blackjack". The evolution planned for the Tu-22 was nothing new to Soviet avionics for the Sukhoi Su-7 "Fitter" began life as a fixed-wing fighter aircraft onto to become the swing-wing Su-17/Su-20/Su-22 family of fighter bombers a short time later.
What the original Tu-22 design lacked was inherently poor handling. She proved technologically complex and require high maintenance levels with poor turn-around times. She was a complex beast and, to add insult to injury, proved limited in a performance sense - the Tu-22 actually failed to improve upon the qualities of the subsonic Tu-16 in many respects, essentially labeling itself a disappointment overall. Production of the type totaled just 311 aircraft. The implementation of variable geometry wings would allow the "new" aircraft the ability to adjust its wing planform inflight, in direct response to changing speeds and airflow, providing stability at low and high speeds. The Tupolev concern toyed with the idea of fitting their Tu-22 with swing-wings as early as 1962 and design work on such an airframe began as early as 1962. Ultimately, the firm produced the "Samolyot 145" prototype to test the idea in a practical sense and a formal prototype then emerged as the "Tu-22M0" which took to the air for the first time on August 30th, 1968. After a short evaluation period, the "Tu-22M" was formally adopted for service in the Soviet Air Force. When NATO observers identified the plane as unique (this in September of 1969), it was assigned the incorrect designation of "Tu-26" with the codename of "Backfire", Western observers believing that the Tu-22M was, in fact, an all-new aircraft in the traditional sense. The initial production mark (Tu-22M1) therefore became the "Backfire-A".
The Tu-22M pre-production form was limited to just nine examples while the early Tu-22M1 was produced in another nine examples in 1971. The first truly "definitive" production form therefore became the Tu-22M2 ("Backfire-B") with its NK-22 series turbofan engines. The upcoming Tu-22M3 was given improved NK-25 turbofans and was known under the NATO codename of "Backfire-C" which went online in 1983 (first flying in 1976). A new nav/attack radar was introduced as were other refinements. A rotary missile launcher was installed in the bomb bay and overall performance specifications were improved to an extent. All Tu-22M-capable Tu-22M production models were then upgraded to the more modern Tu-22ME standard. The Tu-22M3 itself was upgraded to the Tu-22M3M mark with new avionics and provision for guided munitions dispensing. Tu-22M2 versions fitted with NK-23 engines were known as Tu-22M2Ye.
The Tu-22M3(R)/Tu-22MR was an ELectronic INTelligence (ELINT) model with specialized equipment for the role. These were born of existing T-22M3 airframes. The Tu-22MP was similar in scope though intended as electronic warfare aircraft (EWA). In all some 497 Tu-22M aircraft were ultimately completed. The type still maintains a presence within the inventory of the Soviet Air Force and Navy. Other operators (though former) went on to include Belarus, India and Ukraine. Though never formally offered up for export to potential customers, the Ukraine inherited the aircraft after the dissolving of the Soviet Empire. India leased their Tu-22Ms from Russia for a short time. Any foreign use has since been discontinued. Ukrainian mounts were scrapped.
Despite its origins in the Tu-22, the Tu-22M included several major design changes that quickly differentiated the type from the former. The outwardly-placed engine nacelles at the base of the vertical tail fin of the Tu-22 were now relocated to a more conventional internal mounting deep within the fuselage. Its positioning there required use of split air intakes - fitted to either side of the fuselage - with applicable duct work to aspirate the new turbofans. Each rectangular intake was managed by variable splitter plates. This alone changed the outward design appearance of the Tu-22 substantially and led Western observers to believe it was an all-new aircraft series. The swept-back wings of the original Tu-22 now gave way to a swept-back pair of variable-geometry assemblies which further differentiated the Tu-22M from the Tu-22. A new undercarriage was also developed to content with the revised airframe. Unlike the T-22, the Tu-22M brought about a copilot to help manage inflight systems, taking some of the stresses away from the principle pilot at the controls. The navigator and weapons officer were retained.
Key to the development of the Tu-22M was the installation of 2 x Kuznetsov NK-25 series turbofan engines, each delivering 55,100lbs of thrust each. In comparison, the original Tu-22 fitted a pair of Dobrynin RD-7M-2 turbojets which supplied up to 36,376lbs of thrust with thirsty afterburners engaged. The Tu-22M therefore managed a top speed of 1,240 miles per hour (Mach 1.88) with a service ceiling of 43,600 feet. Its combat radius was 1,500 miles though this could be further managed through subsonic/supersonic flight as needed.
Armament for the Tu-22M included use of underwing and underfuselage hardpoints as well as the internal weapons bay. The internal weapons also featured a rotary missile launcher. The total ordnance-hauling capacity for the Tu-22M was 52,900lbs and this could include missiles (homing, cruise or anti-ship) or conventional drop bombs. For standard self-defense, the Tu-22M was provided a 1 x 23mm GSh-23 series cannon in a remote-controlled turret at the tail.
To date (2012), the Russian inventory lists some 150 Tu-22Ms in operational service (or service capable) with an additional 90 or so in mothballs. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
MilitaryFactory.com does NOT sell equipment/weaponry. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance or general operation. Please consult manufacturers for such information. Our disclaimer. Email corrections / Comments to MilitaryFactory at Gmail dot com.
Specifications for the
Tupolev Tu-22M (Backfire)
Strategic Bomber / Maritime Strike Fighter
Country of Origin: Soviet Union
Manufacturer: Tupolev - Soviet Union
Initial Year of Service: 1972
Production: 497
Focus Model: Tupolev Tu-22M
Crew: 4
Length: 139.11ft (42.4m)
Width: 112.47ft (34.28m)
Height: 36.25ft (11.05m)
Weight (Empty): 119,050lbs (54,000kg)
Weight (MTOW): 273,373lbs (124,000kg)
Powerplant: 2 x Kuznetsov NK-25 turbofan engines developing 55,100lbs of thrust each.
Maximum Speed: 1,243mph (2,000kmh; 1,080kts)
Maximum Range: 1,498miles (2,410km)
Service Ceiling: 43,635ft (13,300m; 8.3miles)
Rate-of-Climb: 0 feet per minute (0m/min)
Hardpoints: 4
Armament Suite:
STANDARD:
1 x 23mm GSh-23 remote-controlled cannon in tail turret.
Up to 53,000lbs of internal (rotary launcher) and external stores (underwing and underfuselage) including missiles, conventional drop bombs, cruise missiles and guided munitions.
Variants:
Tu-22M ("Backfire") - Base Series Designation
Tu-22M0 - Preproduction Models; 9 examples
Tu-22M1 - Initial low-rate production models; 9 examples.
Tu-22M2 - Definitive production form appearing in 1972; NK-22 series turbofan engines (later forms with NK-23 series engines); redesigned fuselage; lengthened wing assemblies.
Tu-22M2Ye - Tu-22M2 production models fitted with NK-23 series turbofan engines.
Tu-22M3 - Improved Tu-22M appearing in 1983; fitted with NK-25 series turbofan engines; updated nav-attack suite; rotary missile launcher in bomb bay.
Tu-22M3(R)/Tu-22MR - ELINT variant
Tu-22MP - EWA variant
Tu-22ME - Updated avionics; no large-scale production/conversion since forthcoming.
Tu-22M3M - Modernized Tu-22M3s with upgraded avionics; support for guided munitions.
Operators: Belarus; India; Russia; Soviet Union; Ukraine
BY DECADE:
• 1900 to 1909
• 1910 to 1919
• 1920 to 1929
• 1930 to 1939
• 1940 to 1949
• 1950 to 1959
• 1960 to 1969
• 1970 to 1979
• 1980 to 1989
• 1990 to 1999
• 2000 to 2009
• 2010 to 2019
• 2020 to 2029
• VIEW ALL
• Compare Aircraft
BY TYPE:
• Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)
• Attack Helicopters
• Bomber Aircraft
• Medium Bombers
• Heavy Bombers
• Close-Air Support (CAS)
• Commercial Aircraft
• Dive Bombers
• Electronic Warfare Aircraft (EWA)
• Experimental / X-Planes
• Fighter Aircraft
• Floatplane Aircraft
• Flying Boat Aircraft
• Aerial Refueling Tankers
• Helicopters (ALL)
• Interceptor Aircraft
• Multi-Role Aircraft
• Navy Carrier Aircraft
• Night Fighters
• Reconnaissance / Scout
• Search & Rescue (SAR)
• Scout Helicopters
• Special Purpose
• Torpedo Bombers
• Trainer Aircraft
• Transport Aircraft
• Transport Helicopters
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
• Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles (UCAVs)
COLLECTIONS:
• 4th Generation Fighter Aircraft
• 5th Generation Fighter Aircraft
• US X-Planes
• Classic US Warbirds
• French Military Helicopters
• Grumman "Cats"
• Howard Hughes Aircraft
• Indian Air Force
• Israeli Air Force
• Libyan Aircraft
• Modern Chinese Aircraft
• Modern Chinese Fighters
• Modern Military Aircraft
• Modern North Korean Aircraft
• Modern Trainer Aircraft
• Modern US Aircraft
• Mikoyan Aircraft
• Sukhoi Aircraft
• Syrian Aircraft
• Top 10 Fighter Aircraft of All Time
AIRCRAFT BY CONFLICT:
• Arab-Israeli War (1948)
• Cuban Missile Crisis (1959-1962)
• Falklands War (1982)
• Indo-Pak War (1965, 1971)
• Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988)
• Lebanon War (1982)
• Operation Allied Force (1999)
• Operation Desert Storm (1991)
• Six Day War (1967)
• Spanish Civil War (1936)
• Soviet-Afghan War (1979-1989)
• Yom Kippur War (1973)
MISCELLANEOUS:
• Aircraft Cockpits
• Aircraft Manufacturers List
• Aircraft Timeline
WORLD WAR 2:
• 1939 Aircraft
• 1940 Aircraft
• 1941 Aircraft
• 1942 Aircraft
• 1943 Aircraft
• 1944 Aircraft
• 1945 Aircraft
• 1946 Aircraft
• Australian Aircraft
• Battle of Britain Aircraft
• Bombers
• Four-Engine Bombers
• British Aircraft
• British Bombers
• British Transports
• Dive Bombers
• Canadian Aircraft
• Fighters
• Chinese Aircraft
• French Aircraft
• German Aircraft
• German Fighters
• German Flying Boats
• German Jets
• Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe
• Italian Aircraft
• Imperial Japanese Aircraft
• Imperial Japanese Fighters
• Mitsubishi Bombers
• Navy Aircraft
• Pearl Harbor
• Polish Aircraft
• Romanian Aircraft
• US Aircraft
• US Bombers
• US Navy Aircraft
• Soviet Aircraft
• Torpedo Bombers
• Transport Aircraft
• Tuskegee Airmen Aircraft
• W.A.S.P. Aircraft
• WW2 Aircraft Ranked by Speed
• VIEW ALL
WORLD WAR 1:
• 1914 Aircraft
• 1915 Aircraft
• 1916 Aircraft
• 1917 Aircraft
• 1918 Aircraft
• Aircraft Timeline
• Austro-Hungarian Aircraft
• Bomber Aircraft
• British Aircraft
• Fighters
• Flying Boats
• French Aircraft
• Imperial German Aircraft
• Italian Aircraft
• Scout Aircraft
• Russian Empire Aircraft
• US Aircraft
• WW1 Aircraft Ranked by Speed
• VIEW ALL
KOREAN WAR:
• Australian Aircraft
• Korean War Aces
• Korean War Jets
• North Korean Aircraft
• US Military Aircraft
• VIEW ALL
VIETNAM WAR:
• Helicopters
• North Vietnam Air Force
• US Airpower
• VIEW ALL
COLD WAR:
• 1950s French Aircraft
• British V-Bombers
• Cold War Bombers
• Soviet Aircraft
• Soviet Bombers
• Soviet Interceptors
• Soviet Helicopters
• Strategic Air Command
• US Aircraft
• US Bombers
• US Interceptors
• VIEW ALL
©2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • Content ©2003-2013 MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Site Contact Email: militaryfactory at gmail dot com. The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® trademarks and protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws.
Top MF Stuff: 2013 Military Pay Scale | Military Ranks | WW2 Weapons | Sniper Rifles | Kts to Mph | WW1 Aircraft | Automatic Rifles | Aircraft Cockpits | Vietnam War Weapons | Main Battle Tanks | Submachine Guns | Shotguns | French Military Victories
Most photographic images appearing on this site are courtesy of the United States Department of Defense and are approved for public use. Other images acquired through the public domain. Digital art work courtesy of Dan Alex. Business Consulting by Kyle Williams. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance or general operation. Please consult manufacturers for such information.
