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Tupolev Tu-22M

The Tupolev Tu-22M is a Soviet-designed supersonic long-range bomber and missile carrier with variable-sweep wings.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Tupolev Tu-22M is a Soviet-designed supersonic long-range bomber and missile carrier with variable-sweep wings. The Tu-22M3 is a major production variant, known by NATO as Backfire-C, and has been used for strategic, maritime strike, and conventional or nuclear weapons delivery roles.

Design and development

The Tu-22M family was developed by Tupolev as a supersonic bomber with variable-sweep wings and long-range strike capability. The Tu-22M3 introduced upgraded NK-25 engines, revised intakes, and other aerodynamic improvements.

Operational role

The aircraft was designed to attack sea and land targets using guided missiles and bombs. Sources describe it as capable of conventional, anti-ship, and nuclear strike missions.

Variants

The Tu-22M3 is the best-known production version and is commonly identified as Backfire-C. Sources also mention earlier Tu-22M versions and later modernization programs for the type.

Service history

The Tu-22M family entered service with Soviet forces and later remained in use with Russian aviation branches. Public sources disagree on exact entry-into-service dates for the Tu-22M3, but most place deployment in the 1980s.

Key facts

  • The Tu-22M is a variable-sweep-wing, supersonic bomber developed by Tupolev for long-range strike missions.
  • The Tu-22M3 is a later improved variant with more powerful NK-25 engines and revised aerodynamics.
  • NATO assigned the type the reporting name Backfire; the Tu-22M3 variant is often called Backfire-C.
  • The aircraft has been used for maritime strike, land-attack, and nuclear or conventional weapons delivery roles.
  • Public sources differ on production end date and service-entry timing, with figures including 1992, 1993, 1983, and 1989.
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Canadian context

Canadian readers may encounter the Tu-22M in discussions of Cold War and post-Cold War Russian long-range aviation, Arctic security, and NATO intelligence terminology.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Tupolev Tu-22M?
It is a Soviet-designed long-range supersonic bomber and missile carrier with variable-sweep wings, built by Tupolev.
What does Tu-22M3 mean?
Tu-22M3 is a later major production variant of the Tu-22M family, often called Backfire-C by NATO.
What is its NATO reporting name?
The Tu-22M family is called Backfire; the Tu-22M3 variant is Backfire-C.
What missions was it designed for?
It was designed for long-range strikes against sea and land targets, using guided missiles and bombs.
When did the Tu-22M3 first fly?
One source states the Tu-22M3 prototype first flew on 20 June 1977.
Which countries operated it?
Sources identify Russian Air Force and Russian Naval Aviation as operators, and one source also lists the Ukrainian Air Force.

References

  1. Red Star — https://www.redstar.gr/en/russian-aerial-means/aircraft/tupolev/tu-22m3-long-range-bomber.html
    Supports: Variant name, manufacturer, first flight, introduction, production dates, NATO name, role, operators
  2. Airforce Technology — https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/tupolev-tu-22m-strategic-bomber/
    Supports: Development purpose, strategic and maritime strike role, current service with Russian forces
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupolev_Tu-22M
    Supports: Tu-22M3 variant history, engines, service-entry timing, modernization details
  4. United Aircraft Corporation — https://uacrussia.ru/en/aircraft/lineup/military/tu-22m3/
    Supports: Design role, target types, operational distance
  5. GlobalMilitary.net — https://www.globalmilitary.net/aircraft/tu-22m-backfire/
    Supports: Tu-22M/Tu-22M3 naming, role, performance and payload claims
  6. RIA Novosti — https://www.ria.ru/20240419/tu-22m3-1940972762.html
    Supports: Russian-language description of Tu-22M3 as a long-range supersonic missile-carrying bomber with nuclear and conventional capability