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Tupolev Tu-22

Tupolev · Bomber · USSR · Early Jet (1946–1969)

Tupolev Tu-22 — Bomber
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The Tupolev Tu-22 (NATO reporting name Blinder) was the Soviet Union's first supersonic bomber — a twin-engine swept-wing long-range strike aircraft designed in the mid-1950s as a successor to the subsonic Tupolev Tu-16. The Tu-22 first flew on 21 June 1958; about 311 Tu-22s were built between 1959 and 1969 at Kazan Plant No. 22. The aircraft entered Soviet Long-Range Aviation service in 1962 and served until the late 1990s; the related but largely different swing-wing Tu-22M Backfire is a separate aircraft despite the shared designation.

The Tu-22 used a high-mounted swept wing with two Dobrynin RD-7M-2 turbojet engines (16,500 lbf dry / 25,400 lbf with afterburner each) mounted on the rear fuselage above the tail — an unusual configuration that minimised foreign-object debris ingestion but caused poor fuselage-shielding from engine noise. Maximum speed Mach 1.42 (1,510 km/h), range 4,900 km, service ceiling 13,500 m. Combat radius with full bomb load ~2,500 km. Maximum bomb load 12,000 kg internal — sufficient for the Kh-22 (NATO: AS-4 Kitchen) supersonic anti-ship missile that was the Tu-22's primary weapon in the maritime-strike role.

Tu-22 service was extensive across Soviet Long-Range Aviation long-range-bomber, Soviet Naval Aviation sea-strike, and Soviet Air Forces reconnaissance roles. Combat use included Egyptian Air Force operations against Israel during the 1973 Yom Kippur War (one Tu-22 lost to an Israeli HAWK SAM), Libyan Air Force operations against Chad during the 1980s Chadian-Libyan conflict, and Iraqi Air Force operations during the Iran-Iraq War and Gulf War (one Tu-22 destroyed on the ground at Tallil air base in 1991). The Tu-22 was retired from Russian Aerospace Forces service in 1995. About 5 airframes survive in 2026 at Russian and Ukrainian aviation museums.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Tupolev Tu-22 was the Soviet Union's first supersonic bomber. It first flew in 1958 and entered service in 1962. NATO nicknamed it the Blinder because of its big bright shiny nose-mounted radar.

About 311 Tu-22s were built between 1959 and 1969. The bomber had two huge engines mounted on top of the rear fuselage, right behind the tail. Most planes hang their engines under the wings, but the Tu-22 put them way up high. This made the engines harder for runway dust and rocks to damage.

The Tu-22 could fly faster than the speed of sound. Its top speed was about 940 mph. It is longer than a basketball court and could carry up to 9,000 kg of bombs. The plane stayed in service until the late 1990s.

The Tu-22 was tricky to fly. Pilots had to be very careful at low speeds because of how the wings worked. The newer Tu-22M Backfire, which came later, looks similar but is actually a completely different plane with swing wings.

Fun Facts

  • The Tu-22 was the Soviet Union's first supersonic bomber.
  • NATO nicknamed it the Blinder.
  • About 311 Tu-22s were built between 1959 and 1969.
  • The plane had two huge engines on top of the rear fuselage instead of under the wings.
  • Its top speed was about 940 mph — faster than the speed of sound.
  • The Tu-22 stayed in Soviet service until the late 1990s.

Kids’ Questions

Why are the Tu-22's engines on top of the plane?

Most planes hang their engines under the wings. The Tu-22 designers wanted the engines up high so they would not suck in dust and rocks from the runway. The high engines also made it easier to load bombs into the long bomb bay underneath.

Is the Tu-22 the same plane as the Tu-22M Backfire?

No — even though they share the same designation, the Tu-22M Backfire is a completely different plane. The original Tu-22 has fixed swept wings, while the Tu-22M has wings that move back and forth in flight. The Soviets used the same number on purpose to confuse Western spies.

Variants

Tu-22B (bomber)
Standard bomber variant with conventional / nuclear bomb-bay weapons. About 230 built.
Tu-22K (missile carrier)
Kh-22 anti-ship missile carrier with Down Beat radar. About 80 built.
Tu-22R (reconnaissance)
Reconnaissance variant with optical and radar sensors. About 110 built.
Tu-22P (electronic warfare)
ECM variant with jamming and signals intelligence equipment. About 40 built.

Notable Operators

Soviet Long-Range Aviation / Naval Aviation
Lead operator. About 250 Tu-22s in Soviet service 1962-1995 across long-range-bomber, maritime-strike, and reconnaissance roles.
Egyptian Air Force (1971-1980s)
12 Tu-22Bs delivered. Used in 1973 Yom Kippur War with one combat loss to Israeli HAWK SAM.
Libyan Air Force (1977-2011)
12 Tu-22Bs delivered. Used in 1980s Chadian-Libyan War; small fleet operated until 2011 fall of Gaddafi.
Iraqi Air Force (1973-1991)
12 Tu-22Bs delivered. Used in Iran-Iraq War and Gulf War; one Tu-22 destroyed on the ground at Tallil air base 1991.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Tu-22 the same as the Tu-22M Backfire?

No — despite the shared designation. The Tu-22 "Blinder" is a fixed-swept-wing 1958 design with rear-mounted engines. The Tu-22M Backfire is a variable-geometry-wing 1972 design with side-mounted engines. The two aircraft share only the manufacturer (Tupolev) and a similar mission (long-range strike). Soviet Aviation officials kept the Tu-22M designation deliberately confusing to disguise the Backfire as a Tu-22 sub-variant during arms-control negotiations.

Was the Tu-22 reliable?

Poor reputation. The Tu-22 had a high accident rate — about 70 of the 311 built were lost to non-combat accidents. The aircraft was difficult to fly (heavy controls, poor low-speed handling), the rear-mounted engines caused severe fuselage-fatigue cracking, and the radar / nav systems were unreliable. Soviet crews called it the "Шило" (Awl/Drill) due to its sharp-nosed appearance and "piercing" landing characteristics.

What was the Kh-22?

The AS-4 Kitchen supersonic anti-ship missile (Russian designation Kh-22, see MKB Raduga Kh-22) — a 5,800 kg liquid-fuel missile with 1,000 kg warhead and Mach 4.6 terminal velocity. The Tu-22K carried one Kh-22 semi-recessed in the bomb bay. The combination was the principal Soviet anti-ship-strike system through the 1980s. Russian Tu-22Ms continue to carry Kh-22 derivatives through 2026.

Did the Tu-22 see combat?

Yes — extensively in export service. Egyptian Tu-22s flew strikes against Israeli targets in 1973 (one combat loss). Libyan Tu-22s flew strikes against Chadian government targets in the 1980s. Iraqi Tu-22s flew strikes against Iranian targets in the Iran-Iraq War and were destroyed on the ground during the 1991 Gulf War. Soviet Tu-22s did not see direct combat but were used for show-of-force flights and reconnaissance.

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