Tupolev Tu-22M - Russian Aircraft in Action [Hardcover] (Russian Aricraft In Action) - Hardcover

Gordon, Yefim

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1932525025 ISBN 13: 9781932525021

Publisher: IP Media Inc, 2005

The Vietnam War showed that the need still existed for dedicated strike aircraft performing World War II-style close air support missions. Hence, in 1968, the Sukhoi Design Bureau started work on an aircraft initially known as the SPB (the acronym stood for "battlefield support aircraft") and then as the T-8. First flown in February 1975, the aircraft incorporated much of the philosophy which had gone into the famous Ilyushin Il-2 attack aircraft, including a forward fuselage made of welded armor to offer maximum protection for the pilot. Designated Su-25 in service, the aircraft entered the fray of the Afghan War immediately after entering service with the Soviet Air Force and quickly earned a reputation as a mean fighting machine. The survivability measures incorporated by the Sukhoi OKB more than paid off, the aircraft often coming home with tremendous damage inflicted by Stinger missiles. The type has also seen action in other parts of the world, including Angola and Bosnia. This book contains approximately 200 black-and-white and color photos illustrating the Su-25's development and service, detailing the various versions and operator nations. Photos are provided with detailed captions.

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Synopsis:

In 1964 the Tupolev Design Bureau began development of a twin-engined medium bomber intended as a replacement for the Tu-22 supersonic bomber which had entered service in the early 1960s. Achieving initial operational capability in 1972, the bomber was initially misidentified by the West as the Tu-26 and code-named Backfire. The initial Tu-22M2 production version evolved into the improved Tu-22M3 and the Tu-22MR reconnaissance version. In addition to conventional bombing, the aircraft was suitable for naval missile strike missions. From 1987 onwards the type saw action during the closing stage of the Afghan War, dropping heavy bombs which, in the words of the crews, "flattened the mountains completely". After the demise of the Soviet Union the type was operated by two of the new CIS republics, Russia and the Ukraine. The album contains about 150 black/white and colour photos illustrating the type's development and service history. The photos are provided with detailed captions in Russian and English.

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