Tupolev Tu-98 (Backfin) Strategic Bomber (1956)
Only a single prototype of the Tupolev Tu-98 Backfin bomber was ever completed.
Since 1954, the Soviet Air Force made extensive use of the Tupolev Tu-16 "Badger" series of jet-powered strategic bombers. Some 1,509 of them were built in a plethora of variants which saw considerable export to Soviet-allied nations and states. Both the Soviet Air Force and Navy utilized the type and many operated into the 1990s, being inherited from the Soviet empire collapse of 1991. The Tupolev concern, already eying the Tu-16's eventual replacement, gave thought to a more capable and modernized form. A pair of Lyulka AL-7 turbojet engines was selected and a conventional design with high side-mounted intakes was developed. Wings were highly swept back in typical Soviet fashion with a stepped cockpit and heavily glazed nose cone. A single vertical tail fin capped the rear portion of the tubular fuselage. while a fully retractable undercarriage featuring two main legs and a nose leg was devised. The dual engine configuration exhausted through a closely set pair of exhaust rings under the vertical tail unit. Construction of the initial example was underway in 1955 and a first flight was quickly recorded in 1956. The West recognized the development that same year when a visiting American delegation was shown the aircraft at the Kubinka Air Base that June. The design - assigned the designation of "Tu-98" - was crewed by three personnel and its engines outputted at 21,000lbs thrust each, capable of speeds in excess of 850 miles per hour with a range out to 1,500 miles and able to operate upwards of 41,000 feet. The armament payload was expected to be up to 11,000lbs of ordnance with 3 x 23mm Nudelman-Rikhter NR-23 series cannons as standard defense.
Despite the promising nature of the design, the Tu-98 was only ever completed in this initial prototype and never selected for serial production. The program was eventually disbanded though the experience was put to good use in developing the upcoming Tupolev Tu-28 interceptor. The two-seat, twin-engined interceptor existed in 198 examples while being outfitted with various air-to-air weaponry. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
Tupolev Tu-98 (Backfin)
Strategic Bomber
Country of Origin: Soviet Union
Manufacturer: Tupolev - Soviet Union
Initial Year of Service: 1956
Production: 1
Focus Model: Tupolev Tu-98 (Backfin)
Crew: 3
Length: 105.18ft (32.06m)
Width: 56.66ft (17.27m)
Height: 26.44ft (8.06m)
Weight (Empty): 0lbs (0kg)
Weight (MTOW): 85,980lbs (39,000kg)
Powerplant: 2 x Lyulka AL-7F turbojet engines developing 20,900lbs of thrust each.
Maximum Speed: 848mph (1,365kmh; 737kts)
Maximum Range: 1,516miles (2,440km)
Service Ceiling: 41,831ft (12,750m; 7.9miles)
Rate-of-Climb: 0 feet per minute (0m/min)
Hardpoints: 0
Armament Suite:
STANDARD:
3 x 23mm Nudelman-Rikhter NR-23 series cannons
Up to 11,000lbs of ordnance.
Variants:
Tu-98 ("Backfin") - Base Series Designation; single prototype completed.
Operators: Soviet Union
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