Tupolev Tu-22

The Tupolev Tu‑22, known by its NATO reporting name ‘Blinder’, was the Soviet Union’s first supersonic, variable‑sweep wing bomber, entering service in 1962. Developed by the Tupolev design bureau as a response to Cold War demands for a high‑speed, long‑range strike platform, the Tu‑22 combined jet‑engine power with a sleek, swept‑wing layout that allowed speeds above Mach 1.5 and a combat radius of roughly 2,500 kilometres. It was powered by two Kuznetsov NK‑12 turbofan engines equipped with afterburners, granting rapid climb and dash capability. The aircraft could carry up to 24 000 kg of conventional or nuclear ordnance, delivered through internal bays or external pylons, and featured a sophisticated navigation and radar suite for its era. Although early operational service revealed handling difficulties and reliability problems, the Tu‑22 became a cornerstone of Soviet strategic aviation, influencing later designs such as the Tu‑22M ‘Backfire’. Exported to Egypt and Iraq, it saw combat in the 1973 Yom Kippur War and the Iran‑Iraq conflict, underscoring its role as a long‑range strike asset. The Tu‑22’s introduction marked a shift toward supersonic bombers in the Eastern bloc and demonstrated Tupolev’s capacity to produce complex, high‑performance aircraft.

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