Tupolev Tu-22
The Tupolev Tu-22 is a former Soviet bomber of the Cold War. It is a twin-turbojets built entirely of metal with a swept-wing. It can carry about 6,000 kg of bombs in internal bay. It was used only by the USSR, Libya, and Iraq.[1] The bomber could carry 3 crew members. NATO called the Tu 22 as Blinder. Tupolev Tu-22M is a modernized variant.
| Tupolev Tu-22 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 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 |
Operational uses
Soviets forces used some Tu-22 as high-speed reconnaissance planes.[2]
Iraq[3] used there bombers in Iran-Iraq War.
Libyan air force used the Tupolev Tu-22 in September 1987[4] for bombing N'Djamena and the French infantry. The bomber was shoot down by a MIM-23 Hawk's missile of the Armée de l'Air.
Tupolev Tu-22 Media
Tu-22 at the Monino, Russian Federation Central Air Force Museum
Soviet engineer checks the 23-mm R-23 cannon in remotely controlled tail turret
A parked Soviet Tuploev Tu-22 "Blinder" aircraft.
A U.S. Navy F-4N belonging to VF-111 intercepts Tu-22s being delivered to Libya in 1977.
A junked Iraqi Tu-22 "Blinder" fuselage at Al Taqaddum, Iraq..
Tu-22KD with Kh-22 missile at Poltava Museum of Long-Range and Strategic Aviation
Tu-22P Blinder-E and Tu-22U Blinder-D
- ТуполевТу,ЭнгельсRP
Former operators of the Tu-22
Orthographic projection of the Tupolev Tu-22.
Bibliography
- Frawley, Gerard, The international directory of military aircraft 2002/2003 . London: Aerospace Publication, 2002. ISBN 1-875671-55-2.
- Gaillard, Pierre, Avions et hélicoptères militaires d'aujourd'hui Paris, France : Larivière éditions, 1999. ISBN 2-907051-24-5.
References
- ↑ "Tupolev Tu-22 'Blinder'". www.milavia.net.
- ↑ "Tupolev Tu-22 (Blinder) Medium Bomber / Reconnaissance Aircraft - Soviet Union". www.militaryfactory.com.
- ↑ "Tu-22 Supersonic Bomber". Archived from the original on 2011-10-02. Retrieved 2013-06-14.
- ↑ (in French) http://www.avionslegendaires.net/avion-militaire/tupolev-tu-22-blinder/