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Tupolev TU-22 “BLINDER”
In the mid-1950s, with the improvement of Western air defenses, the Soviet Air Force requested Tupolev a project for a supersonic bomber capable to penetrate these defenses carrying the same weapons load as Tu-16 Badger bomber. Tupolev presented two candidates, the Tu-98 Backfin and the Tu-102, which was subsequently designated as Tu-105, and which turned out to be the winner. Finally in 1959 the Tu-105A was presented, which would result in the series aircraft designated as Tu-22 Blinder. The first aircrafts entered service in 1962, under designation Tu-22B Blinder-A variant, and their performances were not as spectacular as the look of the new bomber. Different versions entered service, such as the improved Tu-22K Blinder-B bomber, Tu-22R Blinder-C for reconnaissance missions, Tu-22UB Blinder-D training variant and Tu-22P Blinder-E for ELINT missions. Altogether 313 Tu-22 Blinder aircrafts were manufactured and currently none of them remain in service.
TU-22 BLINDER gallery and more info
