Tu-22M0, Tu-22M1 (Tu-26), A.N.Tupolev 'Backfire'

(31K) Tu-22M0 at the Monino AF Museum, by Paul Nann. There are some people (for scale, I guess) near the AS missile just under the wing.

Serious revision of unsatisfactory Tu-22 bomber, but practically an all-new aircraft. Early production Tu-22M0 was first flown on October 30, 1969 and was built in 1969- 1971. Nine built. It differed from later variants by ECM/parachute fairing replacing the rear gun turret. Later, when requirement of grass field operation capacity was dropped, parachute was deleted.

In-air refueling capable Tu-22M1 batch also included 9 aircraft. It had an in-air refueling probe and could perform much longer missions with higher payload - if air tanker is available.

Both types serve with naval aviation.

During arms reduction talks, the US claimed that the Tu-26 was an all-new aircraft and a strategic bomber; the USSR said that the 'Backfire' was a development of the 'Blinder' and had no strategic capability. As a compromise, the refueling equipment was removed - but still supplied with the aircraft 'spares kit' and could be installed within few hours on any later model. Same treaty limited production of Tu-22M by 30 airframes/year.

It is a big 'swing-wing' bomber, used as cruise missile carrier and naval patrol aircraft. Despite its size, Backfire has D-shaped or rectangular (C version) wing root intakes, just like a fighter.

(39K) at Sheremetjevo-I, by Paul Nann

It is almost certain that 'Backfire' is an entirely new design, but still lacks the range for a strategic role - A.N.Tupolev now claims a radius of action of only 2200km. Its strike capability imposes quite a serious threat for naval targets... here comes a reason of US over-reaction. Well, keep you fleet where it belongs - there will be no threat from a 'Backfire'!

The USSR designated it Tu-22M, allegedly for budgetary reasons.

Predecessors	Modifications
Tu-22	Tu-22M2