The Tupolev You-22M (Code NATO: " Backfire") is a supersonic bomber with variable geometry and long range operating developed by the Soviet Union. A small number of them remains in service in the States of CEI. In consequence of an error of the intelligence services, it was known many years in Occident like the Tupolev You-26 Backfire .
Design
The You-22 " Blinder" had not been shown particulèrement effective, even in certain points lower than his predecessor the You-16 " Badger". Its operating range and its performances, on takeoff in particular, were rather weak. Thus, as soon as the " Blinder" entered in service, the research department Tupolev started to work on its successor.
As in the projects of its contemporaries Mig-23 " Flogger" and Sukhoi Known-17 " Fitter", the advantages of the wings with variable geometry seemed completely gravitational, authorizing at the same time good performances in short takeoffs and a good aptitude for the flights for high and low altitude at high speed. Since the beginning of the year 1962, the research departments of Tupolev thought of the possibility of equipping T-22 with this type of wing. Several projects transfer the day, of which the 106 whose arrow could be 20,65 or 72 degrees. In 1965, it was replaced by the project Samolet 145 , derived from the You-22, with some characteristics borrowed from the project fallen through You-98 " Backfin". It was propelled by engines Klimov NK-144 delivering 22 000 kg of push. It could reach the speed of 2 700 km/h are Mach 2,54 with 14 500 m of altitude or 1 100 km/h with 50 Mr.
You-22M0
In 1967, the decision was made to develop a plane equipped with a wing smaller and swivelling from 20 to 60 degrees and a broader fuselage. Moreover, the engines were replaced by détarés NK-144-22 with 20 000 kg. This apparatus did not accept number of version again, and the service of designation allotted the name to him of You-22M (M for Modernizirovannyï ). Doctor Alexeï Tupolev says that “the disguise in the form of a modification had a political reason”. In December 1967, the first parts were put in production for the prototype You-22KM or Article 45-01 and it rolled for the first time at the beginning of the month of April 1969 on the site of Kazan. At that time, it was decided that in addition to the 45-01 and the structure for the static tests and tiredness, 8 other prototypes would be produced. They accepted all designation You-22M0, although variable on details.The first prototype, the You-22MO , stole for the first time the August 30th 1969. It is at that time that NATO took note of the project. During the years which followed the West believed that its designation was You-26 . However during the negotiations SALT of the Eighties, the Soviets insisted on the fact that it was about You-22M. At that time, the authorities of the West suspectèrent that this denomination was to suggest that it was only about one apparatus derived from You-22 rather than from a more advanced apparatus, which he was well in fact. It appears now that You-22M were well the correct denomination, and that the link with the former one You-22 had been established by Tupolev to convince the Soviet government that the apparatus was only one evolution which would be inexpensive to them.
On this plane, the engines were placed at the rear in the fuselage and were connected to the variable-geometry inlets placed at before by long conduits of admission. This configuration allowed a better compression ratio Mach 1,8. The pivots of wing making it possible the aerofoil to be with variable geometry were located at a third of the half-scale and at nearly 50% of the cord. They made it possible to obtain four arrows: 20°, 30°, 50°, 60°. The arrow of the part fixes was, it, of 55°.
You-22M1
These the first nine apparatuses of préproduction You-22MO were followed by nine others You-22M1 of test-pilots in 1971 and 1972. They were named by NATO Backfire-A .
You-22M2
The first version really put in production (in 1972) was the You-22M2 ( Backfire B ) with larger wings and an improved fuselage making it possible to carry the crew to four people, two engines NK-22 with air intake resembling those of the F-4 Phantom II and a new landing gear located in the wings rather than in large thimbles. They were equipped for the majority with anti-ship missiles with long-range AS-4 " Kitchen". Some You-22M2 were re-equipped later with more powerful engines NK-23 and famous You-22M2Ye . You-22M2 were more popular than You-22 thanks to their higher performances and with the improved cockpit, but comfort and reliability always left something to be desired.
You-22M3
The You-22M3 ( Backfire C ), which flew for the first time in 1976 and entered in service in 1983, had new engines NK-25 which provided an increase in substantial power, triangular air intakes similar to the Mig-25, wings with increased variable geometry and a new nose comprising a new radar Leninets PN-AD and a navigation system and of attack NK-45, which appreciably improved the flights at low altitude (without to allow to permanently steal to the short-nap cloth ground). It also had a turret of tail remade with a simple gun and a rotary launcher interns for the missile AS-16 " Kickback", similar to American AGM-69 SRAM.A subject of controversy around You-22M is his capacity with being supplied with vol. During its construction You-22M comprised a retractable probe of supply located in the upper part of the nose of the apparatus. She was removed after negotiations SALT, although she can easily be reinstalled where necessary.
A small number of You-22M3, perhaps 12, were transformed into You-22M3 (R) or You-22MR , with a radar with side vision Shompol and other electronics components. A new alternative with the electronics dedicated to the combat, the You-22MP , was built in 1986, but only two or three apparatuses have, seems it, built.
The total production, all confused alternatives, is approximately 500 specimens.
Use
During the Cold war, You-22M was used like strategic bomber by the Soviet air force and in an anti-ship role of monitoring of the coasts by the air and sea Soviet. In 1982, less than 200 apparatuses were operational and their autonomy did not enable them to make the turn of the United States and to return at their base. However, U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force indicated You-22M like a serious problem, with like result a significant growth of the budget of North-American air defense.
You-22M were deployed with the combat for the first time in Afghanistan of 1987 to 1989. Its use was similar to that of B-52 to the Vietnam: to release great quantities of conventional bombs on the ground, without really precise objective. In spite of the considerable capacity of these attacks, their strategic utility was marginal.
During the collapse of the Soviet Union (which became CEI), approximately 370 apparatuses were in service. The technical complexity of You-22M caused considerable problems of production and maintenance, leading in 1993 at the end of the production although there were efforts to prolong it. The number of apparatuses in service in 2006 was certainly lower than 70.
The CEI also used Backfire against the forces tchetchenes during strike close to Grozny.
The Soviet Union did not export You-22M, but the dismantling of the USSR led so that certain apparatuses are found in countries of the Soviet ex-Union which were not the Russia. Thus the Bielorussia would have 52 of them (although their degree of operability is not very clear), and the Ukraine recovered 29 of them which all were destroyed (the last in 2004), after the renunciation of the Ukrainian government of the nuclear weapons.
Tupolev also indicated to have had since 1992 of the contacts of foreign purchasers for You-22M, such as the Iran, the India or the Popular republic of China. Four apparatuses You-22M3 were rented in 2001 in India for the maritime recognition and strike them air. Iran also paid to have bought 7 You-22M, without that being confirmed. The marine of the popular Armée with release started to receive a half-dozen of apparatuses as from 2005.
Vladimir Poutine declared the resumption in service of these bombers strategic (of type You-95), beyond the borders of Russia, on Friday, August 17, 2007.
See too
Sources
Internal bonds
- similar Apparatus: Rockwell B-1 Throw, F-111
- List of the military aircrafts
- Tupolev You-22 To armor
External bonds
- You-22M on Globalsecurity.org
- You-22 on aviation.ru
- You-22M on FAS.org
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