Tupolev Tu-22M facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tupolev Tu-22M
Tu-22M in flight.
Role	Bomber
National origin	USSR
Manufacturer	Tupolev.
First flight	1969
Introduction	1972
Status	Active
Primary user	Soviet Air Force.
Number built	525

The Tupolev Tu-22M is a large, twin-turbojet Soviet bomber aircraft. It was built to fly long distances and carry powerful weapons. This plane is a more modern version of an earlier aircraft called the Tupolev Tu-22. The Tu-22M first flew in 1969 and began active service in 1972. It was an important part of the Soviet Air Force.

What is the Tu-22M?

The Tu-22M is a type of military aircraft known as a bomber. Bombers are designed to drop bombs or launch missiles at targets on the ground or at sea. This specific model was developed by the Tupolev design bureau in the Soviet Union. It was built during the Cold War period.

Design and Features

The Tu-22M has a special design that helps it fly fast and far.

• Engines: It has two powerful jet engines. These engines give the plane a lot of thrust, allowing it to reach high speeds.
• Wings: The aircraft has "variable-sweep" wings. This means the wings can move backward or forward during flight. When the wings are swept back, the plane can fly faster. When they are extended, it can take off and land more easily.
• Size: It is a large aircraft, designed to carry a heavy load of weapons.

Purpose of the Tu-22M

The main job of the Tu-22M was to carry out bombing missions. It could carry different types of weapons, including:

• Bombs: Regular bombs that are dropped from the sky.
• Missiles: Special missiles designed to hit ships (anti-ship missiles) or targets on land.

It was used by the Soviet Air Force and later by the Russian Air Force. It played a role in various military operations.

History of the Tu-22M

The development of the Tu-22M started in the 1960s. The Soviet Union wanted a bomber that was faster and had a longer range than its older planes.

First Flight and Introduction

The first version of the Tu-22M, known as the Tu-22M0, made its first flight in 1969. After more testing and improvements, it officially entered service in 1972. Over the years, several different versions of the Tu-22M were built. Each new version had upgrades and improvements.

How Many Were Built?

In total, about 525 Tupolev Tu-22M aircraft were built. This shows how important this plane was to the Soviet military. Many of these planes are still in active service today with the Russian Air Force.

Images for kids

• 

  A Raduga Kh-22 anti-ship missile under a Tupolev Tu-22M(0)

• 

  Tupolev Tu-22M3 at Ryazan Dyagilevo

• 

  Closeup of the proprietary refuelling probe on the Tu-22M1 nose

• 

  Earliest Tu-22M(0) modification

• 

  A Ukrainian Air Force Tu-22M3 at SIAD 2002 Air Show, Bratislava, Slovakia

• 

  A Tu-22M3 in Russian Air Force's service

• 

  A Ukrainian Tu-22M3 is dismantled in 2002 through assistance provided by the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program implemented by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.

• 

  Orthographic projection of the Tupolev Tu-22M

• 

  18 × FAB-500 general-purpose bomb on two fuselage mounted pylons

See also

In Spanish: Túpolev Tu-22M para niños