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Tu-160 Blackjack vs Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire

Tupolev Tu-160 Blackjack bombers side profile drawing
🇷🇺 Tu-160 Blackjack
Tupolev Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire bombers side profile drawing
🇷🇺 Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire
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Specifications
Tu-160 Blackjack Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire
Origin country 🇷🇺 Ex-USSR 🇷🇺 Ex-USSR
Category Bombers Bombers
Manufacturer Tupolev Tupolev
First flight 19 December 1981 30 August 1969
Year introduced 1987 1973
Number produced 37 units 497 units
Average unit price $250 million $65 million
Wing area 232.0 m² 183.6 m²
Wingspan 55.7 m 34.3 m
Height 13.1 m 11.1 m
Length 54.1 m 42.4 m
Maximum speed 2220 km/h 2327 km/h
Operational range 12,300 km 2,410 km
Service ceiling 16,000 m 13,300 m
Max. takeoff weight 274,877 kg 126,000 kg
Empty weight 109,769 kg 58,000 kg
Total thrust 4 x 3,504 kgf 2 x 12,500 kgf
Performance Radar Chart

Overview

The Tu-160 Blackjack and the Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire are both Bombers, manufactured by Tupolev and Tupolev respectively.

Top speed is 2,220 km/h for the Tu-160 Blackjack vs 2,327 km/h for the Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire. The Tu-160 Blackjack has an operational range of 12,300 km vs 2,410 km for the Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire. The Tu-160 Blackjack operates at altitudes up to 16,000 m compared to 13,300 m for the Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire. At 274,877 kg MTOW, the Tu-160 Blackjack is 2.2x the Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire's 126,000 kg.

The Tu-160 Blackjack has been produced in 37 units vs 497 for the Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire. Unit cost is $250M for the Tu-160 Blackjack vs $65M for the Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire. The Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire first flew 12 years before the Tu-160 Blackjack (1969 vs 1981).

Related Comparisons
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the Tu-160 Blackjack 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 Tu-160 Blackjack's 2,220 km/h, a difference of 107 km/h.
Which has longer range, the Tu-160 Blackjack or Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire?
The Tu-160 Blackjack has a longer range at 12,300 km compared to the Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire's 2,410 km.
Which can fly higher, the Tu-160 Blackjack or Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire?
The Tu-160 Blackjack has a higher service ceiling at 16,000 meters (52,493 ft) compared to the Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire's 13,300 meters (43,635 ft).
Which is heavier, the Tu-160 Blackjack or Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire?
The Tu-160 Blackjack has a higher maximum takeoff weight at 274,877 kg compared to the Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire's 126,000 kg.
Which is larger, the Tu-160 Blackjack or Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire?
The Tu-160 Blackjack is longer at 54.1 meters compared to the Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire's 42.4 meters.
Which is more expensive, the Tu-160 Blackjack or Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire?
The Tu-160 Blackjack is more expensive at approximately $250 million per unit compared to the Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire at $65 million.
Which entered service first, the Tu-160 Blackjack or Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire?
The Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire entered service first in 1973, 14 years before the Tu-160 Blackjack which entered service in 1987.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Tu-160 Blackjack or Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire?
The Tu-22M / Tu-26 Backfire has been produced in greater numbers with 497 units compared to 37 units of the Tu-160 Blackjack.