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Air ForcesRussia

Tu-22M3

Long-range bomberIn serviceFielded 1977Pending verification

Also known as: Backfire

Air ForcesRUS
Tu-22M3
Photo: Max071086 · CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeLong-range bomber
Alternative designationsBackfire
Date of introduction1977
ProliferationAt least 2 countries
ManufacturerTupolevMed[1]
Crew4Med[1]
Dimensions and weight
Length42.46 m139 ftMed[1]
Wingspan34.28 m112 ftMed[1]
Wing area183.6 m2Med[1]
Height11.05 m36 ftMed[1]
Empty weight58,000 kg127,868 lbMed[1]
Gross weight112,000 kg246,917 lbMed[1]
Max takeoff weight126,000 kg277,782 lbMed[1]
Flight performance
Engine2 × Kuznetsov NK-25Med[1]
Thrust / power247.9 kN (55,700 lbf) with afterburnerMed[1]
Speed2,300 km/h1,429 mph · 1,242 ktMed[1]
Range6,800 km4,225 mi · 3,672 nmiMed[1]
Combat range2,410 kmMed[1]
Ferry range7,000 kmMed[1]
Service ceiling13,300 m43,635 ftMed[1]
Rate of climb15 m/sMed[1]
Armament and payload
HardpointsWing and fuselage pylons and internal weapons bay with a capacity of 24,000 kg.Med[1]
Missile System1-3 x Kh-22MA (NATO AS-4 Kitchen) air-to- surface; or 10 x Kh-15 (NATO AS-6 Kickback) air-to-surface (4 externally and 6 internally on rotary launchers).Med[1]
Bomb System24,000 kg (half internal, half on external racks). The standard load is 69 x FAB-250 or 8 FAB-1500 bombs.Med[1]
Armament1 × 23-mm GSh-23 cannon in the Remotely Controlled Tail TurretMed[1]
Fire control
Search and Target Radar1 x PNA (Isdeliya 030A) Down Beat I-band for AS-4Med[1]
Fire Control System1 x Fan Tail FCS for 23-mm gunsMed[1]
Radar Warning System1 x Bee Hind I-band radar warning system in the tailMed[1]
Target Navigation Radar1 x MTN missile system with integral TV-optical bomb sight, integrated with search radar.Med[1]
Variants
Tu-22Mo Backfire-AThe first bombers received the designation Tu-22Mo. Development began in 1964-65 to meet a joint requirement by the former Soviet air force and navy for a replacement for the Tu-22/Tu-16.[1]
Tu-22M Backfire-AThis was a pre-production series of an estimated 12 aircraft placed in operational service with Soviet naval aviation.[1]
Tu-22M1 Backfire-AThis version first flew on July 1, 1971. Nine were built; a 10th was for static testing.[1]
Tu-22M2 Backfire-BThis was the initial production model, which differed from the Tu-22M3 Backfire-C. It was developed for the long-range strategic bombing role in the early 1970s.[1]
Tu-22M2Ye Backfire-Bhis variant was equipped with the new NK-25 engines and an advanced flight-control system. However, it did not achieve improved flight characteristics.[1]
Tu-22M3 Backfire-CThis version first flew June 20, 1977, and entered serial production that same year. A total of 268 were completed when production ended in 1993.[1]
Tu-22MR Backfire reconnaissance variantThis variant entered made its first flight on Dec. 6, 1985. About a dozen were built between 1989 and 1993.[1]
Tu-22MP escort jammerThis variant, equipped with the Myass jamming system, was developed in the mid-1980s. The program ultimately did not progress due to problems with onboard systems.[1]
Weapons and payload options · 1Confidence · Source
1 × 23-mm GSh-23 cannon in the Remotely Controlled Tail TurretAutocannon
Med[1]
Type
Autocannon
Caliber
23 mm
Rate of fire
3,400–3,600 rounds/min
Summary

Soviet-designed long-range supersonic bomber with variable-sweep wings, first flown in 1977 and used by Russia for standoff missile and bombing strikes.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
Russia
Sources
  1. Tu-22M3 (Backfire-C) Russian Long-Range Strategic Bomber, U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
    Published/updated 2026-03-20 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-10-10
Change log
  • 2026-10-05 Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
  • 2026-10-06 Added photo (CC BY-SA 3.0)