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Russia Tupolev
Tu-22M3
A variable-geometry supersonic long-range bomber developed to strike naval task forces and inland targets with heavy anti-ship and cruise missiles. Modernized Tu-22M3M aircraft remain active in the Russian Aerospace Forces and Naval Aviation.
In service since 1983 · 1 operator countries
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02
2,300
km/h
6,800
km range
13,300
m ceiling
24,000
kg payload
Pricing: No public modern unit cost; Soviet-era production run
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
Russian state channel
Rosoboronexport monopoly; Western sanctions exposure and payment/logistics risk for many buyers.
Channel: Rosoboronexport (state)
Fielded & proven
Limited · 1 operator
In service since 1983. Status: active · ~497 built.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from.
Interoperability
No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.
Derived guidance from public data — export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Full specifications
Performance
Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.
- Max speed
Maximum level speed. For aircraft this is at optimal altitude; for ground vehicles, top road speed. Higher means faster response and better kinematic performance.
- 2,300 km/h Top 6% of bombers
- Max speed (Mach)
Maximum speed as a multiple of the speed of sound. Mach 2+ is typical for air-superiority fighters.
- 1.88 Mach
- Range
Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence.
- 6,800 km
- Service ceiling
Maximum operating altitude. Higher gives energy advantage and sensor horizon.
- 13,300 m Stronger than 44% of bombers
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
- Main armament
Primary weapon: main gun, cannon or missile type.
- 23 mm GSh-23 twin cannon (tail, on some aircraft)
- Hardpoints
External stations for weapons and pods. More means bigger and more flexible loadouts.
- 3
- Weapons payload
Maximum ordnance weight the platform can carry. Higher means more strike capacity per sortie.
- 24,000 kg Stronger than 56% of bombers
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
- Length
Overall length including gun/probe where applicable.
- 42.4 m
- Wingspan
Wingtip-to-wingtip span.
- 34.3 m
- Height
Overall height. Lower profile is harder to spot and hit for ground vehicles.
- 11.05 m
- Empty weight
Weight without fuel, ammunition or crew.
- 58,000 kg
- Combat weight
Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor.
- 126,400 kg
- Crew
Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity.
- 4
Propulsion
Engine, power and fuel.
- Engine
Powerplant model and type.
- 2x Kuznetsov NK-25 afterburning turbofans
- Engines
Number of engines. Twin-engine gives redundancy at higher cost.
- 2
- Thrust
Total engine thrust (with afterburner where applicable).
- 245 kN
- Propulsion type
Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet…
- Turbofan
Program
Cost, production scale and operators.
- Units built
Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability.
- 497 Stronger than 61% of bombers
- Operator countries
Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem.
- 1 Stronger than 44% of bombers
Specifications compiled from public Tupolev and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations — treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.
Compare with rivals
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Boeing B-1B Lancer Frequently asked questions
What is the top speed of the Tupolev Tu-22M3? +
The Tupolev Tu-22M3 has a maximum speed of 2,300 km/h.
What is the range of the Tupolev Tu-22M3? +
The Tupolev Tu-22M3 has a maximum range of 6,800 km.
What is the weapons payload of the Tupolev Tu-22M3? +
The Tupolev Tu-22M3 can carry up to 24,000 kg of weapons payload.
How much does the Tupolev Tu-22M3 weigh? +
The Tupolev Tu-22M3 has a combat weight of 126,400 kg.
How many crew does the Tupolev Tu-22M3 require? +
The Tupolev Tu-22M3 requires a crew of 4.
What is the main armament of the Tupolev Tu-22M3? +
The Tupolev Tu-22M3's primary weapon is the 23 mm GSh-23 twin cannon (tail, on some aircraft).
What engine does the Tupolev Tu-22M3 use? +
The Tupolev Tu-22M3 is powered by the 2x Kuznetsov NK-25 afterburning turbofans.
What is the Tupolev Tu-22M3 used for? +
The Tupolev Tu-22M3 is a bomber typically used for deep strike.
How many countries operate the Tupolev Tu-22M3? +
The Tupolev Tu-22M3 is operated by 1 countries.
How much does the Tupolev Tu-22M3 cost? +
Tupolev Tu-22M3: No public modern unit cost; Soviet-era production run. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.
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