Operational Service
Once in operational service, several design flaws became apparent, leading to accidents poor turn-around times. The aircraft proved a handful to fly even for trained personnel and the range of its engines was never fully suitable for the long-range bomber role. The high technological aspects of the aircraft also meant long maintenance times and low flying rates. As a Tu-16 successor, the Tu-22 was never to live up to the expectations heaped upon it. Initial pilots were poorly experienced and the aircraft lacked a co-pilot position from which to share the required workload. Many were eventually lost to mechanical fault.
The Tu-22 was used in anger by the Libyan Air Force on several occasions with mixed results. Other notable actions were by the Iraqi Air Force during the Iran-Iraq War. Again, results were mixed as losses mounted and all Tu-22s were ultimately destroyed in the opening rounds of Operation Desert Storm. The Soviet Air Force operated their Tu-22s during the Soviet-Afghan War though accounts were limited.
Conventional Bomber and Reconnaissance Tu-22 Models
The Tu-22 was produced in several notable variants during her operational tenure. The initial run included the Tu-22B ("Blinder-A") which was limited to conventional/nuclear bombing. Only 15 of this type were produced and this stock was generally utilized for training and developmental service. The bombing-capable Tu-22R ("Blinder-C") was a dedicated reconnaissance platform fitted with additional photographic equipment and first appeared in 1962. The Tu-22RD was similar in form and function though completed with refueling equipment for virtually unlimited operational ranges. The Tu-22RK was another reconnaissance form that kept its bombing roots in check though delivered with special ELectronic INTelligence equipment (ELINT). The Tu-22RDK was simply the ELINT model with refueling provisions. A modernization program created the Tu-22RDM reconnaissance platform while the Tu-22P ("Blinder-E") was a new ELINT model. The Tu-22PD was its inflight-refueling compatible counterpart.
Tu-22 Missile Carriers
Provision for missile ordnance was made available with the arrival of the Tu-22K ("Blinder-B") which appeared in 1965. The Tu-22KD the same with provision for inflight refueling. Like others before it, the Tu-22K model was also evolved to become the Tu-22KP, an electronic warfare aircraft version (EWA) that retained its conventional bombing capabilities. These began appearing in 1968 and were armed with radar-homing missiles to help defeat land-based tracking installations. The Tu-22KPD was the same model only with inflight refueling facilities.
Tu-22 Trainer Derivatives
There existed a pair of trainer variants and these were known by the designations of Tu-22U ("Blinder-D") and Tu-22UD. The pair was distinguished by the latter's installation of inflight refueling equipment. As a whole, these additions were further distinguished by their raised instructor's cockpit position.
Conclusion
The Tu-22 Blinder series of medium bombers is no longer in use by any modern air power. Libyan Tu-22s were ultimately scrapped as the Libyan Air Force lacked the spares required to continually maintain their expensive, technologically-laden aircraft. Iraq lost their some of their Tu-22 stock in the bloody Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s to which all were ultimately destroyed or scrapped in the upcoming Gulf War of the early 1990s. The Ukrainian Air Force inherited their Tu-22 inventory from the dissolved Soviet Union and these were ultimately put out to pasture when their time had come. The Soviet Union passed most - if not all - of their Tu-22 stock to successor states after the dissolving of the Empire.
By 2001, only Ukraine and Libya were thought to be fielding the Tu-22 in a frontline operational role. The last known Tu-22 in service was ultimately retired sometime in the 1990s by the Russian Air Force.
A related development of the Tu-22 - and a further evolution of its design - became the Tu-22M "Backfire" strategic strike, reconnaissance and maritime bomber of the 1970s. This derivative sported a "swing-wing" (variable geometry wings) and split air intakes as well as new engines buried within the fuselage. Though related to the Tu-22 and borrowing much of its configuration, the Tu-22M is essentially an all-new aircraft development and went on to have a profound operational career when compared to the original Tu-22 series.
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