Tu-22M3M: modernization, achievements and plans
On 30 on August 1969 the first flight of the Tu-22M long-range bomber took place. Subsequently, such equipment entered service and went through a series of modernizations. The next aircraft renewal project is being implemented right now. The appearance of the upgraded Tu-22М3М will allow maintaining the fleet of bombers, raising their characteristics to the required level. To date, aircraft manufacturers and the military have managed to reveal some of the information about the current project.
Rollout of the first prototype Tu-22М3М
According to open data, the Tu-22М3М project does not provide for a major restructuring of the airframe, although some changes are proposed. At the same time, the modernization of existing aircraft should be carried out with the implementation of overhaul and extension of the resource.
One of the most notable innovations of the Tu-22М3М project is the installation of a fuel receiver rod covered by a characteristic casing. In-flight refueling facilities were used on early versions of the Tu-22M, but they were removed in accordance with the OSV-2 agreement. Now there are no restrictions of this kind, and bombers can get the rods back. The possibility of refueling will increase the combat radius of aircraft. Now this parameter, depending on the flight profile and combat load, does not exceed 2-2,5 thousand km. The presence of a rod will ensure the growth of such characteristics.
There is another external difference - in the tail. With Tu-22М3М the stern cannon installation is removed, instead of which a fairing with some devices is installed. According to new ideas, for self-defense, a bomber should not use weapon, and electronic or other means of counteraction.
The biggest changes in the Tu-22М3М project are related to the on-board equipment complex. Stated replacement approx. 80% of systems for various purposes. The use of new devices for navigation, communications, arms control, etc. is envisaged. It is curious that the new complex for the Tu-22М3М is partially unified with the avionics of the promising Tu-160М2. This should simplify the simultaneous operation of two types of aircraft and their joint combat use.
The equipment of pilots' workplaces is being significantly processed. At the same time, new devices improve crew awareness and partially unload it. In particular, reference information and various materials for navigators are now available in electronic form, which simplifies the work and also allows you to put paper media in reserve.
For a more effective solution to combat missions, the installation of the SVP-24-22 Hephaestus system is provided, which provides automatic processing of various information and provides data for the use of unguided weapons. In addition, the sighting and navigation system provides compatibility with all modern and promising long-range cruise missiles aviation.
Apparently, other areas of modernization of avionics are also planned, but the details are still a mystery. Perhaps new interesting data will appear in the near future.
During the modernization of the Tu-22M3M must maintain full compatibility with all weapons of the base Tu-22M3, with the exception of those decommissioned. Thus, the X-22 anti-ship missile or its upgraded version will remain one of the main weapons. Also, the aircraft will be able to carry and use unguided bombs of various types and calibers. Probably, the military will not refuse the possibility of using sea mines.
In the past, the possibility of using new missiles of various types was repeatedly mentioned. These can be X-101 and X-555 products. It is also known about the intention to introduce the “Dagger” missile system. Thus, after modernization, the Tu-22М3 will be able to carry a variety of weapons suitable for hitting various ground or surface targets. The range of tasks to be expanded and the effectiveness of such work will increase.
The first flight of the Tu-22M3M
With all this, the aircraft, as already mentioned, loses its built-in weapons. In modern conditions, the presence of the GSh-23 gun is not necessary, and the compartment of the stern artillery mount is given for other equipment.
The first modernized Tu-22М3М was rolled out of the assembly shop of the Kazan aircraft plant in August last year. On December 28 he made his first flight. Over the past months, several new flights took place in different modes, during which new instruments and equipment were being tested.
In June of this year it was reported that a second prototype aircraft would soon be withdrawn from the workshop. Its appearance will speed up flight tests of new equipment, which will contribute to a more rapid completion of the current stages of the project. Based on the test results of the two machines, the final decision will be made to launch the modernization of the Tu-22М3 aircraft under the new project.
According to open data, now in the Russian Aerospace Forces there are about 60 Tu-22М3 aircraft. Modernization of the new project will be half of this technology. Works on a serial basis will start in the foreseeable future and will take several years. After that, an equal number of updated Tu-22М3М and Tu-22М3 in the previous configuration will be in service. It is expected that this will increase the combat effectiveness of long-range aviation.
One of the main advantages of the Tu-22М3М project is the fact of updating existing equipment. A well-developed and time-tested platform in the form of the Tu-22М3 receives new equipment and weapons that meet the requirements of the time. As a result, the growth potential of long-range aviation is ensured without the cost of building completely new aircraft.
Despite the preservation of engines, a glider and a number of general aircraft systems, the flight and combat characteristics of the Tu-22M3M are growing. The presence of refueling facilities in flight allows you to increase both range and combat radius. Moreover, the aircraft does not contradict international treaties. So, earlier Russia notified the United States that the range of aircraft does not exceed 8 thousand km, and they comply with START-3.
The aerobatic and combat qualities of bombers are enhanced by new equipment. Improved avionics simplifies the flight, allows you to more accurately go to the lines of application and more efficient use of weapons.
The expansion of the range of ammunition due to new samples is an undoubted plus. At the same time, it is proposed to both modernize existing missiles and introduce completely new ones. The X-32 and Dagger missiles, as well as other weapons, will provide a solution to a wide range of combat missions, including in the face of enemy opposition.
However, the current project and current plans of the aerospace forces regarding the Tu-22М3 have weaknesses. The problem can be considered the timing of the project. So, work on a large modernization of aircraft called Tu-22M4 started back in the mid-eighties, but did not give real results. A new major modernization project is being implemented only now, and its results will appear only in the foreseeable future.
Tu-22M3 in the original configuration
Another cause for concern is the number of updated cars. In the VKS there are only 60 Tu-22М3 bombers, and only half of this equipment will undergo modernization. Whether this will give all the desired benefits is unknown. It may be necessary to modernize the entire park to achieve the maximum positive effect, but it is impossible due to lack of funding.
At the moment, only the Tu-22М3, previously undergoing scheduled repairs and upgrades, is present in the fleet of long-range combatant aircraft. In the new M3M configuration, there is only one aircraft, and another aircraft is due to be tested soon. Massive technology upgrades remain a thing of the future.
The events of the following years are obvious. Tu-22M3M will successfully reach the operation in the troops and increase the combat effectiveness of long-range aviation. The service of machines of the Tu-22M family will continue. Half a century has passed since the day of the first flight of such a bomber, and this equipment will probably also celebrate new anniversaries in the service.
Rollout of the first prototype Tu-22М3М
Exterior elements
According to open data, the Tu-22М3М project does not provide for a major restructuring of the airframe, although some changes are proposed. At the same time, the modernization of existing aircraft should be carried out with the implementation of overhaul and extension of the resource.
One of the most notable innovations of the Tu-22М3М project is the installation of a fuel receiver rod covered by a characteristic casing. In-flight refueling facilities were used on early versions of the Tu-22M, but they were removed in accordance with the OSV-2 agreement. Now there are no restrictions of this kind, and bombers can get the rods back. The possibility of refueling will increase the combat radius of aircraft. Now this parameter, depending on the flight profile and combat load, does not exceed 2-2,5 thousand km. The presence of a rod will ensure the growth of such characteristics.
There is another external difference - in the tail. With Tu-22М3М the stern cannon installation is removed, instead of which a fairing with some devices is installed. According to new ideas, for self-defense, a bomber should not use weapon, and electronic or other means of counteraction.
Onboard equipment
The biggest changes in the Tu-22М3М project are related to the on-board equipment complex. Stated replacement approx. 80% of systems for various purposes. The use of new devices for navigation, communications, arms control, etc. is envisaged. It is curious that the new complex for the Tu-22М3М is partially unified with the avionics of the promising Tu-160М2. This should simplify the simultaneous operation of two types of aircraft and their joint combat use.
The equipment of pilots' workplaces is being significantly processed. At the same time, new devices improve crew awareness and partially unload it. In particular, reference information and various materials for navigators are now available in electronic form, which simplifies the work and also allows you to put paper media in reserve.
For a more effective solution to combat missions, the installation of the SVP-24-22 Hephaestus system is provided, which provides automatic processing of various information and provides data for the use of unguided weapons. In addition, the sighting and navigation system provides compatibility with all modern and promising long-range cruise missiles aviation.
Apparently, other areas of modernization of avionics are also planned, but the details are still a mystery. Perhaps new interesting data will appear in the near future.
weaponry
During the modernization of the Tu-22M3M must maintain full compatibility with all weapons of the base Tu-22M3, with the exception of those decommissioned. Thus, the X-22 anti-ship missile or its upgraded version will remain one of the main weapons. Also, the aircraft will be able to carry and use unguided bombs of various types and calibers. Probably, the military will not refuse the possibility of using sea mines.
In the past, the possibility of using new missiles of various types was repeatedly mentioned. These can be X-101 and X-555 products. It is also known about the intention to introduce the “Dagger” missile system. Thus, after modernization, the Tu-22М3 will be able to carry a variety of weapons suitable for hitting various ground or surface targets. The range of tasks to be expanded and the effectiveness of such work will increase.
The first flight of the Tu-22M3M
With all this, the aircraft, as already mentioned, loses its built-in weapons. In modern conditions, the presence of the GSh-23 gun is not necessary, and the compartment of the stern artillery mount is given for other equipment.
Achievements and plans
The first modernized Tu-22М3М was rolled out of the assembly shop of the Kazan aircraft plant in August last year. On December 28 he made his first flight. Over the past months, several new flights took place in different modes, during which new instruments and equipment were being tested.
In June of this year it was reported that a second prototype aircraft would soon be withdrawn from the workshop. Its appearance will speed up flight tests of new equipment, which will contribute to a more rapid completion of the current stages of the project. Based on the test results of the two machines, the final decision will be made to launch the modernization of the Tu-22М3 aircraft under the new project.
According to open data, now in the Russian Aerospace Forces there are about 60 Tu-22М3 aircraft. Modernization of the new project will be half of this technology. Works on a serial basis will start in the foreseeable future and will take several years. After that, an equal number of updated Tu-22М3М and Tu-22М3 in the previous configuration will be in service. It is expected that this will increase the combat effectiveness of long-range aviation.
Benefits of modernization
One of the main advantages of the Tu-22М3М project is the fact of updating existing equipment. A well-developed and time-tested platform in the form of the Tu-22М3 receives new equipment and weapons that meet the requirements of the time. As a result, the growth potential of long-range aviation is ensured without the cost of building completely new aircraft.
Despite the preservation of engines, a glider and a number of general aircraft systems, the flight and combat characteristics of the Tu-22M3M are growing. The presence of refueling facilities in flight allows you to increase both range and combat radius. Moreover, the aircraft does not contradict international treaties. So, earlier Russia notified the United States that the range of aircraft does not exceed 8 thousand km, and they comply with START-3.
The aerobatic and combat qualities of bombers are enhanced by new equipment. Improved avionics simplifies the flight, allows you to more accurately go to the lines of application and more efficient use of weapons.
The expansion of the range of ammunition due to new samples is an undoubted plus. At the same time, it is proposed to both modernize existing missiles and introduce completely new ones. The X-32 and Dagger missiles, as well as other weapons, will provide a solution to a wide range of combat missions, including in the face of enemy opposition.
However, the current project and current plans of the aerospace forces regarding the Tu-22М3 have weaknesses. The problem can be considered the timing of the project. So, work on a large modernization of aircraft called Tu-22M4 started back in the mid-eighties, but did not give real results. A new major modernization project is being implemented only now, and its results will appear only in the foreseeable future.
Tu-22M3 in the original configuration
Another cause for concern is the number of updated cars. In the VKS there are only 60 Tu-22М3 bombers, and only half of this equipment will undergo modernization. Whether this will give all the desired benefits is unknown. It may be necessary to modernize the entire park to achieve the maximum positive effect, but it is impossible due to lack of funding.
Service continues
At the moment, only the Tu-22М3, previously undergoing scheduled repairs and upgrades, is present in the fleet of long-range combatant aircraft. In the new M3M configuration, there is only one aircraft, and another aircraft is due to be tested soon. Massive technology upgrades remain a thing of the future.
The events of the following years are obvious. Tu-22M3M will successfully reach the operation in the troops and increase the combat effectiveness of long-range aviation. The service of machines of the Tu-22M family will continue. Half a century has passed since the day of the first flight of such a bomber, and this equipment will probably also celebrate new anniversaries in the service.
- Ryabov Kirill
- Tupolev, UAC
Information