Tupolev Tu-22

The Tupolev Tu-22 is a former Soviet bomber of the Cold War. It is a twin-turbojets built entirely of metal with a swept-wing. It can carry about 6,000 kg of bombs in internal bay. It was used only by the USSR, Libya, and Iraq. The bomber could carry 3 crew members. NATO called the Tu 22 as Blinder. Tupolev Tu-22M is a modernized variant. Operational uses Soviets forces used some Tu-22 as high-speed reconnaissance planes. Iraq used there bombers in Iran-Iraq War. Libyan air force used the Tupolev Tu-22 in September 1987 for bombing N'Djamena and the French infantry. The bomber was shoot down by a MIM-23 Hawk's missile of the Armée de l'Air. Bibliography Frawley, Gerard, The international directory of military aircraft 2002/2003 . London: Aerospace Publication, 2002. ISBN 1-875671-55-2. Gaillard, Pierre, Avions et hélicoptères militaires d'aujourd'hui Paris, France : Larivière éditions, 1999. ISBN 2-907051-24-5. References