The world's largest interceptor
Developed based on the Tu-98 bomber prototype, it is easy to understand why the Tu-28 (Tu-128) Fiddler fighter is so oversized.
The Tu-28 fighter was designed in 1958, in response to the need to find a vehicle that could protect Soviet airspace from US strategic bombers equipped with nuclear weapons. The requirements were that the aircraft had to have a wide operating range, be equipped with powerful radar and powerful air-to-air missiles.
The Tu-28 was based on the previously failed Tu-98 supersonic bomber prototype.
It was initially designated Tu-28 but in 1963 was changed to Tu-128, according to the Experimental Design Bureau code.
The Tu-28's impressive specifications include a length of 30.06 m; wingspan of 17.53 m; height of 7.15 m; wing area of 96.94 m2; empty weight of 24,500 kg; loaded weight of 40,000 kg; maximum take-off weight of 43,700 kg.
The size of the Tu-28 is much larger than contemporary and current fighter aircraft.
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| Soviet Tu-28 (Tu-128) Fiddler interceptor. |
The heart of the Tu-28 is two Lyulka AL-7F-2 jet engines with a dry thrust of 72.8 kN and up to 99.1 kN with boost, giving a maximum speed of 1,920 km/h without weapons or 1,665 km/h when fully equipped, a range of 2,565 km, and a ceiling of 20,000 m.
The Tu-28 made its first flight in 1961 and was launched in 1964. The mass version, the Tu-28P, was equipped with the Smerch radar (NATO name Big Nose) band I with a reconnaissance range of 50 km and the ability to lock on targets 40 km away.
Although the radar's capabilities were relatively superior to those of its contemporaries, the Tu-28P's method of operation still relied heavily on ground guidance.
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| Tu-28UT (Tu-128UT) training aircraft. |
The Tu-28 had some weaknesses such as a rather simple electronic system, poor visibility, low payload, and low maneuverability. But because its mission was to intercept enemy strategic bombers, its air weaknesses were not really too important.
The Tu-28's armament includes four Bisnovat R-4 (AA-5 Ash) air-to-air missiles, which typically carry two R-4R (semi-active radar homing) and two R-4T (infrared homing) missiles.
The R-4 missile is also not highly rated for its tactical and technical features.
A total of 198 Tu-28/Tu-128s were built (including 10 Tu-128UT training versions).
Most of them operated into the 1980s, with a few serving in the Russian Air Force until 1992 before being completely replaced by the MiG-31.