Tupolev Tu-22 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tupolev Tu-22 |
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| Tu-22 at Engels air base in Russia. | |
| Role | Bomber |
| National origin | USSR |
| Manufacturer | Tupolev. |
| First flight | 1959 |
| Introduction | 1962 |
| Status | Retired |
| Primary user | Soviet Air Force. |
| Number built | 313 |
The Tupolev Tu-22 was a powerful bomber aircraft from the Soviet Union (now Russia) during the Cold War. It had two jet engines and sleek, swept-back wings, made completely of metal. This plane could carry up to 6,000 kilograms (about 13,200 pounds) of bombs inside its body. Only the Soviet Union, Libya, and Iraq used this bomber. Three people worked together to fly and operate the Tu-22. The military alliance NATO gave it the nickname Blinder. A newer, improved version was called the Tupolev Tu-22M.
How the Tu-22 Was Used
The Soviet military used some Tu-22s as very fast reconnaissance planes. These planes would fly over areas to gather information.
Iraq used its Tu-22 bombers during the Iran–Iraq War.
The Libyan air force used the Tupolev Tu-22 in September 1987. They used it to bomb the city of N'Djamena and French ground troops. However, a French MIM-23 Hawk missile shot down one of these bombers.
Images for kids
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Tu-22 Blinder landing
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Soviet engineer checks the 23-mm R-23 cannon in remotely controlled tail turret
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A parked Tupolev Tu-22.
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A U.S. Navy F-4N intercepts Tu-22s being delivered to Libya in 1977.
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Tu-22KD with Kh-22 missile at Poltava Museum of Long-Range and Strategic Aviation
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Former operators of the Tu-22
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Orthographic projection of the Tupolev Tu-22.
See also
In Spanish: Túpolev Tu-22 para niños
