Russia to Equip Tu-22M3 Backfire Bomber with New Hypersonic ” Kinzhal ” missile

Russia planing  to Equip Tu-22M3 Backfire Bomber with New Hypersonic ” Kinzhal ” missile

Russian long-range bomber Tu-22M3M will be able to carry up to four hypersonic missiles dubbed Kinzhal, a source in the Russian defense industry told Sputnik on Monday.

“Tu-22M3M, on which Kinzhal will be tested, can carry up to four of these missiles,” a source said.

At the moment, the missiles are installed on MiG-31BM interceptor aircraft

According to Military expert, Viktor Murakhovsky the Tu-22M3M would need to undergo a serious upgrade to house these many Kinzhal missiles.

“There will need to be a serious upgrade in terms of radio electronics and strengthening external load, to install these missiles,” the expert said.

Murakhovsky noted that four Kinzhals would allow Tu-22M3M to be more effective in reaching targets defended by advanced defense systems.

The expert added that the upgrade would allow saving money by revitalizing an old-type aircraft rather than investing in building a new one.

The TU-22m3 is the fastest launcher in the world. Its speed can reach 1.8 Mach with a load of 24 tons of weapons and a range of about 6800 km

Integrating  Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aero-ballistic missile onboard the Tupolev Tu-22M3 Backfire bomber would greatly extend the range of targets

Russians say that the speed of this missile can reach the “10 Mach” and the range of about 2000 km, It was introduced as an anti-aircraft carrier

Its installation on the TU-22 launcher may indicate that a new version of the Kinzhal missile may be counter to the ground targets and may be equipped with a nuclear warhead in the future …