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Bomber
Tu-22M
Tupolev · USSR
The Tu-22M (Backfire-A prototype) flew in 1969. It was designed for high-speed, low-level maritime and land attacks, specifically to strike carrier groups. Its appearance caused significant concern for NATO, as it bridged the gap between tactical and strategic bombing.
Technical Specifications
| First Flight | 1969 |
|---|---|
| Max Speed | 2,300 km/h (Mach 2.05) |
| Range | 6,800 km |
| Ceiling | 13,300 m |
| Engines | 2x Kuznetsov NK-22 turbofans |
Armament & Payload
1x 23mm GSh-23L tail cannon; up to 24,000 kg of bombs or Kh-22 missiles.