What does Russia need the Tu-22M3M missile carrier for?

We would like to introduce some very brief but latest information about the modernized Russian Tu-22M3M aircraft through an introduction by Russian expert Oleg Ivanov with the above title published in the newspaper "Lenta" (Russia) on August 18, 2018.

1. The new Kazan aircraft factory has completed the assembly and shipped out the experimental Tu-22M3M.

This first experimental Tu-22M3M aircraft was built within the framework of the modernization program of the long-range supersonic missile-carrying bomber with variable-sweep wings Tu-22M3.

The Russian Defense Ministry will decide to launch a large-scale modernization program of these aircraft based on the results of upcoming state tests. The first flight of the Tu-22M3M will take place in September 2018. If the tests are successful, 30 Tu-22M3s will be upgraded to the Tu-22M3M standard.

2. Tu-22M3M is equipped with the most modern equipment made in Russia..

Modernized aircraft will have new equipment, specifically: navigation, communication, aiming, engine control and automation, fuel consumption management and modern electronic warfare systems.

The electronic equipment of the Tu-22M3M is standardized with similar electronic equipment systems of the Tu-160M ​​strategic missile carrier. Thus, the equipment intended for the upgraded variant Tu-160M2 will be tested and inspected first on the Tu-22M3M.

3. The difference of the Tu-22M3M aircraft is that it has artificial intelligence.

Artificial intelligence ensures the operation of the information-control system supporting the operations of the flight crew on the aircraft.

In the event that the information received from satellites is inaccurate, or there is a problem with the electrical system or other systems on the aircraft, the crew will directly control the aircraft.

4. The main mission of the Tu-22M3M is to destroy enemy aircraft carrier groups.

To perform this task, the aircraft will be equipped with the latest weapons complex, including communication and navigation means, electronic warfare means and Kh-32 high-precision anti-ship cruise missiles.

In the future, it is planned that the Tu-22M3M will be equipped with missiles of the new missile complex “Kinzal” with a firing range (in case of using missile-carrying bombers) estimated at about 3,000 km. Detailed information on the modernization of the Tu-22M3M is classified.

5. Tu-22M3M carrying Kh-32 makes the US and NATO concerned

The Tu-22M3M is equipped with three Kh-32 winged missiles (range 600-1,000 km and speed 4,000 to 5,400 km/h), which, according to published characteristics, can destroy US aircraft carriers and practically any strategic target on the territory of Europe.

The US aircraft that are specifically designed to intercept the Tu-22M3M are the Grumman F-14 Tomcat multirole jet fighters that have been retired, and the aircraft that will replace them (Grumman F-14 Tomcat) are the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, but the US currently does not have enough aircraft to carry out this mission.

6. It took more than 6 years to have Tu-22M3M

The first official information about the Russian Defense Ministry's plans to modernize the Tu-22M3 to the Tu-22M3M standard appeared in 2012. At that time, according to the announced plan, 30 Tu-22M3s would be modernized (to Tu-22M3M) before 2020.

According to the latest available data, the modernization of the Tu-22M3 aircraft currently in service to the Tu-22M3M standard will begin in 2019, and the first batch of modernized aircraft will be in service in 2021.

7. Tu-22M missile carriers are about to turn 50 years old.

The Tu-22M0 first flew in August 1969. The Tu-22M3 variant first flew in June 1977. The first Tu-22M3 entered service with the Soviet Air Force in 1989.

A total of 497 Tu-22Ms of various variants have been manufactured, including 268 Tu-22M3s. Currently, the Russian Aerospace Forces have 62 Tu-22M3s in service.

8. The NK-25 engine is over 40 years old.

The outstanding new feature of the Tu-22M3 compared to the Tu-22M2 is that the Tu-22M3 uses the NK-25 turbojet engine with an acceleration camera instead of the NK-23 engine (of the Tu-22M2), and has deeply modernized equipment and weapons.

Currently, the Tu-22M3M still uses the NK-25 engine, but in the future the modernized Tu-22M3M will be equipped with the NK-32-02 engine of the Tu-160M2.

9. Tu-22M3 attacked terrorists in Syria

The Tu-222M3 also has a 23mm TKB-613 twin-barrel gun (750 rounds of ammunition), guided missiles and air-launched ballistic missiles, and various sea mines. The missiles are stored in the fuselage compartment and under the wing-mounted pylons. There are active and passive jamming devices.

10. Tu-22M3M carrying nuclear missiles will serve for half a century

Currently, only Russia operates the Tu-22M3. According to public information, Russia does not supply this supersonic bomber-missile carrier to anyone.

Russia believes that the Tu-22M3M will serve for about 45-50 years, and the above-mentioned modernized aircraft together with the Tu-95MS and Tu-160 will significantly increase the strategic deterrence power of the Russian nuclear triad.