Tu-22 M3 Backfire B

Developed in the late 1960s, the Tupolev TU-22M “Backfire” entered service with the Soviet Air Force during the 1970s and can be considered, due to its distinctive design, an icon of the Cold War. The “Backfire” is a twin-engine strategic bomber with variable-geometry wings capable of carrying and deploying both nuclear and conventional weapons. An advanced aircraft for its time, it represented a significant improvement over previous Soviet strategic bombers.

Thanks to its two powerful engines mounted under the tail, the Tupolev bomber could reach speeds of Mach 1.9, posing a formidable threat to U.S. and NATO air defences. The “Backfire” was also specialized in conventional attacks against surface ships. With the dissolution of the Soviet Union, a large number of TU-22Ms were utilised by the Russian Air Force, with subsequent upgrades in avionics and propulsion systems.