Il-28 Beagle vs Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire

The Il-28 Beagle and the Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire are both Bombers, manufactured by Ilyushin and Tupolev respectively. The Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire reaches 2,327 km/h — 2.6x the Il-28 Beagle's 900 km/h. The Il-28 Beagle has an operational range of 2,180 km vs 2,410 km for the Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire. The Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire operates at altitudes up to 13,300 m compared to 12,300 m for the Il-28 Beagle. At 126,000 kg MTOW, the Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire is 6.0x the Il-28 Beagle's 21,000 kg. The Il-28 Beagle has been produced in 6,635 units vs 497 for the Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire. Unit cost is $2M for the Il-28 Beagle vs $65M for the Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire. The Il-28 Beagle first flew 21 years before the Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire (1948 vs 1969).

Soviet jet bomber, operational during the Cold War, extensively utilized in military conflicts in Asia and Africa.
Ilyushin Il-28 Beagle Bomber profile drawing
Origin country 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR
Category Bombers
Manufacturer Ilyushin
First flight 8 June 1948
Year introduced 1950
Number produced 6635 units
Average unit price $2 million
Soviet supersonic long-range strategic bomber, known for its Cold War deployment and various modernization efforts in Russian service.
Tupolev Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire Bomber profile drawing
Origin country 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR
Category Bombers
Manufacturer Tupolev
First flight 30 August 1969
Year introduced 1973
Number produced 497 units
Average unit price $65 million
Wing area 60.8 m²
Wingspan 21.5 m
Height 6.7 m
Length 17.7 m
Maximum speed 900 km/h
Operational range 2,180 km
Service ceiling 12,300 m
Max. takeoff weight 21,000 kg
Empty weight 11,890 kg
Total thrust 2 x 2,700 kgf
Wing area 183.6 m²
Wingspan 34.3 m
Height 11.1 m
Length 42.4 m
Maximum speed 2327 km/h
Operational range 2,410 km
Service ceiling 13,300 m
Max. takeoff weight 126,000 kg
Empty weight 58,000 kg
Total thrust 2 x 25,000 kgf

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the Il-28 Beagle or Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire?
The Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire is faster with a maximum speed of 2,327 km/h compared to the Il-28 Beagle's 900 km/h, a difference of 1,427 km/h.
Which has longer range, the Il-28 Beagle or Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire?
The Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire has a longer range at 2,410 km compared to the Il-28 Beagle's 2,180 km.
Which can fly higher, the Il-28 Beagle or Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire?
The Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire has a higher service ceiling at 13,300 meters (43,635 ft) compared to the Il-28 Beagle's 12,300 meters (40,354 ft).
Which is heavier, the Il-28 Beagle or Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire?
The Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire has a higher maximum takeoff weight at 126,000 kg compared to the Il-28 Beagle's 21,000 kg.
Which is larger, the Il-28 Beagle or Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire?
The Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire is longer at 42.4 meters compared to the Il-28 Beagle's 17.6 meters.
Which is more expensive, the Il-28 Beagle or Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire?
The Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire is more expensive at approximately $65 million per unit compared to the Il-28 Beagle at $2.0 million.
Which entered service first, the Il-28 Beagle or Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire?
The Il-28 Beagle entered service first in 1950, 23 years before the Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire which entered service in 1973.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Il-28 Beagle or Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire?
The Il-28 Beagle has been produced in greater numbers with 6,635 units compared to 497 units of the Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire.