Ilyushin Il-28

     Notes: Designed shortly after World War 2, the Beagle was built in huge numbers by Russia and China (the Harbin H-5), with over 6000 built starting in 1949.  The NATO reporting name is Beagle. The North Koreans are believed to be the only current operators, with a fleet of 80 mixed Russian and Chinese-built examples. They are a very basic sort of combat aircraft with a minimum of avionics, and today’s fighter-bombers easily outperform it. 

     The two wingtip hardpoints may only be used for special 335-liter drop tanks designed especially for it.  The Beagle is not capable of aerial refueling.  The tail gunner does not have an ejection seat, but the pilot and bombardier do. The design is simple, with a tubular fuselage and engines slung under straight wings; the tail surfaces are swept. The bomb bay is in the center of the fuselage; the bomb bay may hold four 100-kilogram bombs or a single 3000-kilogram bomb. The bomb bay, unfortunately, is not suited to large amounts of smaller ordnance. The engines are Klimov VK-1As, with 5955 pounds thrust each.  These are improved versions of the RD-45, which was a Rolls Royce Nene produced without a license. The Il-28 is easy to fly, though it has unspectacular performance. The radar is primarily for bombing and has limited air-to-air effectiveness; in particular, it cannot look straight out from the aircraft or upwards.

     The Il-28 is the basic bomber version, statted it below. The Il-28R is a long-range reconnaissance version; this has the bomb bay filled with a 3000-liter fuel tank and one forward-firing autocannon is removed.  The nose contains cameras as well as the reconnaissance officer’s position. The landing gear is beefed up to handle the increased weight. The Il-28RTR is a subtype of the Il-28R, fitted with ELINT gear instead of cameras. The Il-28REB has EW gear instead of cameras, with much of the jammers housed in the former wingtip fuel tanks. The Il-28T is a torpedo bomber variant, for game purposes identical to the standard Il-28, but with a lengthened weapons bay carrying one large or two small torpedoes. The IL-28N is a tactical nuclear bomber variant, the same for game purposes as the Il-28, except fitted to carry one nuclear bomb of the time period, and fitted with computing devices and radar to work with the nuclear bomb. The Il-28Sh is a ground attack variant, fitted with six hardpoints under each wing for rocket pods.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: By the Twilight War, only about 500 of this number remained in active service, primarily with Middle Eastern and African nations, and air forces such as those of Vietnam and Cuba.

Tupolev Tu-16

     Notes: This long-range bomber is also known by its NATO reporting name, Badger. There were at least 22 variants of this medium bomber built.  In particular, the variants designed to carry specific large cruise missiles, such as the Tu-16K series, are no longer in use, because the primitive cruise missiles were replaced by later weapons that could be carried in conventional bomb bays.  These models were either scrapped or modified into other versions. Besides Russia, the Tu-16 is used by China which has an upgraded variant, the Xi’an H-6.

     The Tu-16 has a large, swept wing and a large Mikulin AM-3 turbojet in each wing root. Each engine is notably powerful and develops 19,200 pounds thrust, and is over 5 meters long.  The bomb bay is long and able to carry 9 tons internally.

     Other versions were made for conventional bombing, long-range search and rescue, long-range reconnaissance, electronic warfare, refueling, and UAV launching.  Not all of these are detailed here; the Tu-16 is the standard bomber, the Tu-16R is for long-range reconnaissance, and the Tu-16Ye is an electronic intelligence (ELINT) aircraft, the Tu-16P is an electronic warfare aircraft (Wild Weasel), with heavy EW capability and armed with antiradiation missiles. The Tu-16RM-1 is a variant of the Tu-16R designed for maritime ELINT and reconnaissance; it is the same as the Tu-16R for game purposes except for its equipment fit. The Tu-16 Elka and Buket variants are the same as the Tu-16P for game purposes; their jobs are standoff EW and ECM strike escort respectively.

     The Tu-16A is modified to carry the huge nuclear weapons of that time period (late 1950s to mid-1960s). The Tu-16N is a tanker version, dedicated to refueling Tu-22 and Tu-22M bombers. The Tu-16T is a torpedo bomber variant which also carried mines and depth charges; it is the same as the Tu-16 for game purposes other than its loadout. The Tu-104 is a civilian airliner variant.

Tupolev Tu-22 Shilo

     Notes: This supersonic medium bomber was designed as a counter to the US B-58 Hustler, just coming into service at the time (1959).  The Tu-22 was the result of a long, some would say tortured, design process, as well as political infighting with Myasishchev and to a lesser extent, Yakovlev. At the time, supersonic aerodynamics were in their infancy in the Soviet Union, leading to a design process marked with experiments and false starts. In addition, engines for supersonic flight were only at their starts of development, and as they might not reach their power goals, Tupolev spent a large amount of time cleaning up the aerodynamics and streamlining.  This led to more design compromises, like the lack of a copilot position in order to narrow the nose, and the 55-degree sweep of its wings. The slim fuselage along with the thin wings led to the name Shilo (Awl). The Tu-22 proved to be remarkably difficult to fly; bomber pilots able to fly the Tu-22 proved to be difficult to find, leading to pilots flying the Su-17 being chosen to fly the Blinder, as it was known to NATO.

     The Tu-22A designation refers to the limited number of prototypes produced.  The Tu-22B was the first production example, the basic bomber form.  It is powered by a pair of Dobrynin RD-7 turbojets, each developing 23,100 pounds thrust dry and 35,200 pounds thrust in afterburner.  The installation of these engines is unusual, being installed in pods on either side of the vertical stabilizer. The Tu-22 has no copilot, increasing the workload on the pilot; the bombardier is behind him, and the navigator below and behind the bombardier. The pilot’s position is particularly difficult; he cannot reach many of his switches and levers easily from his seat, leading to Tu-22 cockpits being festooned with hooks and other workarounds.  Air for the crew was provided by a bleed air system from the engine compressors; this air stream was uncomfortably hot and had to be cooled by a large evaporator running on a mix of 40% ethanol and 60% distilled water (in essence, vodka); pilfering of this coolant was a constant problem, not only by the aircrew, but the ground crew as well.

     The Tu-22R was an armed reconnaissance variant; half of these produced went to the Soviet Navy for use as maritime patrol and attack aircraft and were kitted up differently.  The Tu-22R could be restored to its Tu-22B version in the field with 48 hours warning. The Tu-22P was, as its Tu-16P counterpart, an EW support aircraft.  These generally accompanied Tu-22Bs or Tu-22K missile carriers to given them better odds of accomplishing their missions. The Shilos were upgraded while in service with more powerful engines and refueling probes; these were powered by Dobrynin RD-7M-2 turbojets, 24,300 pounds thrust dry or 36,400 pounds thrust in afterburner.  These aircraft were designated Tu-22Vs. (The “D” suffix was used to denote standard Tu-22 aircraft types fitted with refueling probes, such as Tu-22RD or Tu-22PD.) The Tu-22RK was an ELINT variant, similar in capability to the Tu-16Ye above.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: Most Russian examples used during the Twilight War were reconnaissance models or tankers.  Hundreds were in use by other countries, most notably by Iraq, and Libya, as well as a few by Syria.  Due to their poor maneuverability, they were easy pickings for enemy fighters and SAMs.

Tu-22M Backfire

     Notes: Mistakenly referred to by NATO sources as the Tu-26 for many years, the correct designation is Tu-22M (NATO reporting name: Backfire).  The reason for this designation is a Cold War realpolitik; the Soviets sought to keep its then-new bombers off the SALT II arms limitations books by designating them as merely modernized Tu-22 Shilos instead of new bombers.  In addition, the Soviet Air Force and Tupolev sought to deflect criticism about the failures of the Tu-22 by passing the new bomber off as a modernized Tu-22. The ruses were successful, as the Soviet government approved full production of the Tu-22M in 1967, as well as the Tu-22M’s main weapon, the Kh-22 missile.

     The Tu-22M is in fact a new design, though the avionics are updated forms of those on the Tu-22. The differences include the variable-geometry wings, engines of much higher power that are in the wing roots, avionics that are vastly improved, and improved weapon delivery systems. The swing wings greatly improve low-speed handling, takeoff runs, and landing speeds, things that cursed the Tu-22.  The swing wing and innovations in control surfaces and flight surface design made the Tu-22M much easier to fly. The Tu-22M is powered by a pair of Kuznetsov NK-22 turbofans developing 35,700 pounds thrust each dry and 48,500 pounds thrust each in afterburner. These engines are huge, 7.3 meters long and 1.77 meters wide, weighing 3.575 tons by themselves. The wings can be swept forward to only 20 degrees, or to 65 degrees sweep for supersonic dashes. The wing sweep mechanism is automatic and dependent upon speed and maneuvering, though the pilot can manually override the automatic wing sweep. A defensive weapon is mounted in the rear on almost all versions, a single GSh-23 in a remote turret controlled by the navigator.

     Only nine Tu-22M1s were produced as prototypes until production shifted to the more advanced Tu-22M2; the Tu-22M2 became the first main production version. The Tu-22M2 had variable geometry intake feed ramps, and main landing gear relocated to the wing glove instead of the typical Tupolev separate landing gear fairing. The wings are also somewhat longer to further improve low speed handling. Tu-22M2s do have bomb bays, but are normally armed with large antiship or land attack cruise missiles. The bomb bay of the Tu-22M1 and M2 may hold 14.5 tons of the total weapon load. Some Tu-22Ms were further upgraded with NK-23 engines; these engines are much more powerful, developing 41,450 pounds thrust dry and 50,000 pounds in afterburner, but are heavy, difficult to maintain and tend to overheat and accumulate damage that quickly burns out the engines.  Production of these engines were therefore curtailed. These Tu-22M2s with NK-23 engines were designated Tu-22M2Ye, but are believed to long having been further upgraded into Tu-22M3s.

     The Tu-22M3 is further repowered, with Kuznetsov NK-25 turbofans developing 35,420 pounds thrust each dry and 55,700 pounds thrust each in afterburner. This gives the engines more efficiency in subsonic cruise configuration while providing more thrust for supersonic dashes. The avionics, communications, and EW suites have been greatly upgraded. The EW suite in particular has been substantially improved, becoming a true EW Suite. The bomb bay internals were replaced with a rotary launcher, normally used with the Kh-15 missile (similar to the US AGM-69 SRAM), though it can carry most of the air-to-ground ordnance in the Russian inventory, either on the rotary launcher or taking out the launcher and loading the Tu-22M3’s bomb bay en masse. The Tu-22M3’s weapon bay is also revised and enlarged to carry up to 18 tons of the total ordnance load which may be carried. As built, the Tu-22M3 was fitted with a retracting aerial refueling probe; this was removed to comply with the intercontinental bomber total restriction listed in the SALT treaties, but can be easily reinstalled at any time (and probably already has been). Tu-22M3s which were deployed to Syria were fitted with the SVP-24-22 specialized computing subsystems.  These enhanced bombing and weapons delivery; these modified Tu-22M3s have an RF bonus of +4. Only five were so modified, and they have no special designation.

     The Tu-22MR (also known as the Tu-22M3(R)) is a Tu-23M3 with the addition of SLAR (Side-Looking Airborne Radar), looking to both sides, and ELINT gear.  They are used for electronic reconnaissance. 12 were so modified.

     The Tu-22M3M uses the engines of the upgraded Tu-160M, the Kuznetsov NK-32-02, developing 37,000 pounds thrust dry and 55,000 pounds thrust in afterburner. The NK-32-02 is of modular construction and easily upgraded and serviced, reducing maintenance requirements. It is also more efficient, reducing fuel requirements by 10%. The EW suite has been enhanced with additional functionality. A GLONASS receiver has been installed, while keeping the inertial navigation system as a backup. This also gives the Tu-22M3M the ability to use GLONASS-guided bombs and missiles. Radar range is increased, benefitting guidance information for radar and radio-guided weapons. The rear autocannon has been deleted; this makes the Tu-22M3M more streamlined and the room from the autocannon installation has been given over to a better rear radar and EW elements. It also reduces the weight of the Tu-22M3M and reduces cost, as well as simplifying maintenance.

     The Tu-22DP, based on the Tu-22M3, would have been an interesting variant, if production occurred.  Production, however, never took place, as the project was scrapped, though there may have been a prototype developed. The Tu-22DP was designed as a long-range interceptor, sporting as many as 24 air-to-air missiles on external hardpoints equipped with multiple ejector racks, carrying four missiles per hardpoint. The result is a missile truck, capable of attacking large amounts of incoming enemy aircraft. Though it would not be a normal part of its mission, the Tu-22DP could still carry strike weapons, turning into a strikefighter of sorts.

Tu-160 Bely Lebed

     Notes: The Tu-160 Bely Lebed (White Swan, referring to the Tu-160’s graceful lines and white antiflash paint scheme) is Russian heavy bomber is similar in appearance to the US B-1B Lancer, but is much larger and is a less-efficient design, requiring more fuel.  The Tu-160 has the NATO reporting name of “Blackjack.” Though designed in the late 1970s, the first flight did not take place until 1981, and it did not enter service until 1987.  They were generally equipped with the best avionics the Russians could offer at the time.  The Tu-160 is so far the largest and heaviest combat aircraft ever built. The Indians are reportedly interesting in purchasing the Tu-160, though no firm sales have taken place yet.

     The Tu-160 has variable automatic sweep wings and uses a fly-by-wire architecture. The Tu-160 may use aerial refueling and the crew each have ejection seats. The Tu-160 is powered by four Samara NK-32 engines developing 31,000 pounds thrust dry or 55,000 pounds thrust in afterburner. The wings may be swept forward to 20 degrees sweep, for low-speed flight, landing, or takeoff.  The wings may be swept back to 65 degrees for high-speed flight. The two weapon bays are normally fitted with rotary launchers for 12 cruise missiles or short-range attack missiles, though the rotary launchers may be removed and the weapon bays filled to the brim with gravity or smart bombs. The crew has a mix of analog instruments and glass cockpit displays. The pilot and copilot use HOTAS joysticks instead of a control yoke. The Tu-160 is said to be very easy to fly, and surprisingly nimble; one does not get the idea they are muscling around a giant bomber.

     The Tu-160M sharpens and improves the avionics suite of the Tu-160, with improvements to sensors, countermeasures, and general electronics. In addition, the engines are improved versions of the NK-32, the NK-32-02, being more modular and easier from a maintenance standpoint, as well as being more fuel-efficient. The cockpit of the Tu-160M is mostly a glass cockpit, with only a few analog instruments to spoil the view. Finally, the newest Russian air-launched weapons are integrated into the aircraft.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: In the Twilight War, they were used as low-level penetration bombers on long-range missions in a similar manner to the B-1B (they were even seen over the Continental US on some occasions). The Tu-160M is not available in the Twilight 2000 timeline.