TUPOLEV Tu-22M (Tu-26)

NATO reporting name: 'Backfire'

TYPE:

• Twin-engined variable geometry medium strategic bomber and maritime reconnaissance/attack aircraft.

PROGRAMME:

• The Tupolev bureau began work in 1964-5 on the design of a successor to the Tu-22, taking as a basis the Tu-22 airframe, which it adapted to incorporate a variable-geometry wing and powerplant mounted within the fuselage.
• The decision to retain the tricycle landing gear of the Tu-22 with the main unitss retracting into wing trailing-wing fairings meant that only the outer third of the wing could pivot.
• The powerplant adopted for the new aircraft was the Kuznetsov NK-144 afterburning turbofan under development for the Tu-144 supersonic airliner.
• NATO first revealed the existence of a Soviet variable geometry bomber programme in the autumn of 1969.
• A prototype was then observed in July 1970 on the ground near Kazan manufacturing plant, in western Russia and was confirmed as a twin-engined design by Tupolev OKB.
• At least two prototypes were built, with first flight estimated in 1969, and up to 12 pre-production models by early 1973, for development testing, weapons trials and evaluation.
• There are three known varients of the Tu-22M.
• The first is known prototype became the Tu-22M-1 'Backfire-A' when soviet sources referred to it during the SALT 2 treaty.
• During the test phase of the Tu-22M-1, flaws were found and major changes to the Tu-22M-1 were made, such as redesigning the main landing gear, increased wing span and vertical intakes.
• This version was designated Tu-26, but later known as the Tu-22M-2 'Backfire-B'.
• The last varient is the Tu-22M-3 'Backfire-C' which has wedge/tornado-type raised inlets, giving it enhanced performance.

DESIGN FEATURES:

• Capable of performing nuclear strike, conventional attack and anti-ship missions, featuring low-level penetration to ensure better survivability than earlier Tupolev bombers.
• Not expected to become ALCM carriers, although used for development launches, deployment of RKV-500B (AS-16 'Kickback') short-range attack missiles in Tu-22Ms has increased significantly their weapon carrying capability.
• Low/mid-wing configuration, large-span fixed centre-section and two outer steering sleeves variable from 20 degrees to 65 degrees sweepback.
• Wing section is so thin that outer panels flex considerably in flight.

POWER PLANT:

• Two Kuznetsov/KKBM NK-25 afterburning thrust turbofans, each side by side in rear fuselage, giving a total thrust of 110 230 lb (490.4 kN).
• Fuel is in integral tanks in wing central section and steering sleeves and in fuselage tanks.

ACCOMMODATION:

• Pilot and co-pilot side by side, one weapon system officer and one navigator side-by-side further aft, as indicated by position of windows between flight deck and air intakes.
• Entrance located under upward opening gull-wing doors hinged on centerline.

ARMAMENT:

• Max offensive weapon load consist of:
• three Kh-22 (NATO AS-4 'Kitchen') air-to-surface missiles, one semi-recessed under centre-fuselage, one under fixed centre-section panel of each wing.
• Or 24,000 kg (52,910 lb) of conventional bombs or mines, half carried internally and half on racks under wings and engine air intake trunks.
• Internal bombs can also be replaced by a rotary launcher for six Kh-15P (AS-16 'Kickback') short-range attack missiles with four more underwing as alternative to Kh-22s.
• Normal weapon load is single Kh-22 or 12,000 kg (26,455 lb) of bombs.
• Typical loads include two FAB-3000, eight FAB-1500, 42 FAB-500 or 69 FAB-250 or -100 bombs.
• One GSh-23 twin-barrel 23 mm gun, with barrels superimposed, in radar directed tail mounting.

SOURCES

• AVIATION.RU - Tupolev


• Warplane Picture Gallery - Tu-22M


• TOTAVIA Image Archive


• Photos from MACS'97


• snm67's Community Page