Tupolev Tu-22M

The Tupolev Tu‑22M, known in the West as the “Backfire”, is a Soviet‑designed, long‑range, supersonic bomber that entered service in 1972. Developed by the Tupoleg Design Bureau as an evolution of the earlier Tu‑22 “Blinder”, the Tu‑22M incorporated a variable‑sweep wing, twin NK‑25 afterburning turbojets, and a modern avionics suite, giving it a maximum speed of Mach 2.05 and a combat radius of roughly 3,000 km. Its primary roles have included maritime strike against carrier groups, strategic bombing, and reconnaissance, with a payload capacity of up to 24 tonnes of conventional or nuclear ordnance. Throughout the Cold War the aircraft served as a cornerstone of the Soviet Long‑Range Aviation, deterring NATO naval forces and projecting power into the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Indian oceans. After the Soviet Union’s dissolution, the Tu‑22M remained in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces, undergoing upgrades such as the Tu‑22M3M standard, which adds glass‑cockpit displays, improved navigation, and compatibility with precision‑guided weapons. The bomber’s blend of speed, range, and payload has cemented its reputation as one of the most formidable supersonic platforms ever built, influencing modern strategic bomber concepts.

Tupolev

Classification

Dimensions

Production & History

Design & Classification