Close call: Russian Tu-22M Backfire bomber take off uses ALL of the runway

January 10, 2013 Military Aviation

David Cenciotti

Backfire bombers can’t be refueled in-flight and the Russian Tu-22M Backfire shown in the following video must have been loaded with a lot of fuel.

This could explain why the Russian bomber uses almost every inch of the runway before reluctantly taking to the air.

The Tu-22 is a swing-wing, supersonic, nuclear and possibly lethal strike and maritime bomber that China could soon employ to counter the U.S. Navy in the South China Sea and Pacific region.

Salva

About David Cenciotti

David Cenciotti is a journalist based in Rome, Italy. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviationist”, one of the world’s most famous and read military aviation blogs. Since 1996, he has written for major worldwide magazines, including Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, and many others, covering aviation, defense, war, industry, intelligence, crime and cyberwar. He has reported from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Syria, and flown several combat planes with different air forces. He is a former 2nd Lt. of the Italian Air Force, a private pilot and a graduate in Computer Engineering. He has written five books and contributed to many more ones.

Brian Baldridge says:

January 10, 2013 at 3:13 PM

Judging by the soil in the wake turbulence, I’d say he used MORE than every inch of runway!
- cencio4 says:
  
  January 10, 2013 at 3:35 PM
  
  Well said! :-)
Matt B says:

January 10, 2013 at 3:14 PM

Chinese Backfires could be refueled in-flight since their not part of START or SALT right?
- cencio4 says:
  
  January 10, 2013 at 3:36 PM
  
  Theoretically yes, since the Russian planes have the required equipment and probe.