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M-4 Bison vs Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire

M-4 Bison vs Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire at a glance — top speed 947 vs 2,327 km/h, range 5,600 vs 6,800 km, max takeoff weight 181,500 vs 126,000 kg, built 123 vs 497 units.

Myasishchev M-4 Bison bombers side profile drawing
🇷🇺 M-4 Bison
Tupolev Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire bombers side profile drawing
🇷🇺 Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire
Specifications
M-4 Bison Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire
Origin country 🇷🇺 Ex-USSR 🇷🇺 Ex-USSR
Category Bombers Bombers
Manufacturer Myasishchev Tupolev
First flight 20 January 1953 30 August 1969
Year introduced 1953 1973
Number produced 123 units 497 units
Average unit price $8 million $65 million
Wing area 326.4 m² 183.6 m²
Wingspan 50.5 m 34.3 m
Height 14.1 m 11.1 m
Length 47.2 m 42.4 m
Maximum speed 947 km/h 2327 km/h
Operational range 5,600 km 6,800 km
Service ceiling 11,000 m 13,300 m
Max. takeoff weight 181,500 kg 126,000 kg
Empty weight 79,700 kg 58,000 kg
Total thrust 4 x 9,525 kgf 2 x 25,278 kgf
Performance Radar Chart
Change comparison vs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the M-4 Bison 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 M-4 Bison's 947 km/h, a difference of 1,380 km/h.
Which has longer range, the M-4 Bison or Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire?
The Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire has a longer range at 6,800 km compared to the M-4 Bison's 5,600 km.
Which can fly higher, the M-4 Bison 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 M-4 Bison's 11,000 meters (36,089 ft).
Which is heavier, the M-4 Bison or Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire?
The M-4 Bison has a higher maximum takeoff weight at 181,500 kg compared to the Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire's 126,000 kg.
Which is larger, the M-4 Bison or Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire?
The M-4 Bison is longer at 47.2 meters compared to the Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire's 42.4 meters.
Which is more expensive, the M-4 Bison or Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire?
The Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire is more expensive at approximately $65 million per unit compared to the M-4 Bison at $8.0 million.
Which entered service first, the M-4 Bison or Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire?
The M-4 Bison entered service first in 1953, 20 years before the Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire which entered service in 1973.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the M-4 Bison or Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire?
The Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire has been produced in greater numbers with 497 units compared to 123 units of the M-4 Bison.