# Tupolev Tu-22m: Soviet/Russian Swing-Wing Heavy Bomber - Hardcover

by **Yefim Gordon** (Author), **Dmitriy Komissarov** (Author)

In the late 1960s, the patriarch of Soviet aircraft design, Andrey Tupolev, offered the Soviet air force a supersonic bomber to replace the 1950s-vintage Tu-22 Blinder with a less capable--but cheaper--alternative to the Sukhoi design bureau's proposed T-4 strategic bomber. Tupolev did not offer it as an "all-new" aircraft but, instead, passed it off as a "massive upgrade" of the Blinder. Thus was born the Tu-22M, Tupolev's first aircraft with variable swept wings and the ability to carry both bombs and supersonic cruise missiles. In the West, the new bomber became known as the Backfire.

-   First flown in 1969, the aircraft entered production in 1972.
-   The most widespread version was the Tu-22M3, which soldiers on today with the Russian air force.
-   The Backfire has had an active career both in Cold War operations and in "hot" wars, from Afghanistan to Syria, where it has participated in the global war on terrorism.
-   This book describes the Tu-22M's development, including the latest upgrades, and its Soviet and post-Soviet operations.
-   Fleet lists are included, as is a detailed design description, and a wealth of color profiles and line drawings.

Yefim Gordon is an aviation journalist and photographer who has been researching Soviet/Russian aviation history for more than 40 years and has authored and coauthored more than 130 books on the subject. Dmitriy Komissarov has translated or authored/coauthored more than 80 books on Soviet/Russian aircraft and written numerous features for Russian and foreign aviation magazines.

**Number of Pages:** 336

**Dimensions:** 1 x 11.1 x 8.6 IN

**Publication Date:** August 30, 2022

## Details

- **Price:** 64.99 USD
- **Vendor:** Books by splitShops
- **Type:** Books
- **Tags:** Books by splitShops, Shopify Collective

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Default Title | 64.99 USD | In stock |

## Images

- Tupolev Tu-22m: Soviet/Russian Swing-Wing Heavy Bomber - Hardcover

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