Tupolev
| Company type | Public Joint Stock Company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace, Defense |
| Predecessor | Tupolev Design Bureau (OKB-156) |
| Founded | October 22, 1922 in Moscow, Russia |
| Founder | Andrei Tupolev |
| Fate | Integrated into United Aircraft Corporation (2006) |
| Headquarters | Moscow , Russia |
Area served | Russia, Soviet Union, allied Eastern Bloc nations |
Key people | Vadim Vladimirovich Korolev (Managing Director, since 2021), Ronis Nakipovich Sharipov (Director General since 2020), Rustam Minnikhanov (Chairman of the Board since 2021) |
| Products | Civil and military aircraft, missile systems, weaponry, naval aviation technologies |
| Owner | United Aircraft Corporation (parent company) |
| Parent | United Aircraft Corporation |
Tupolev (), formally known as United Aircraft Company Tupolev - Public Joint Stock Company, is a Russian enterprise specializing in aerospace and defense, with its main office located in Moscow's Basmanny District.
As the continuation of the Soviet-era Tupolev Design Bureau (design office code Tu, or OKB-156), established in 1922 by the aviation pioneer Andrei Tupolev, the company benefited from his leadership spanning five decades until 1972. Over its history, Tupolev has created more than 100 models of both military and civilian aircraft and manufactured upwards of 18,000 units serving Russia, the Soviet Union, and allied Eastern Bloc nations. The firm celebrated its centennial anniversary on 22 October 2022. Its operations encompass aerospace and defense industries, including the design, production, and servicing of civil and military planes, missile systems, weaponry, and naval aviation technologies.
In 2006, by a presidential decree from Vladimir Putin, Tupolev was integrated into the United Aircraft Corporation as one of its divisions, merging with other major Russian aerospace companies such as Mikoyan, Ilyushin, Irkut, Sukhoi, and Yakovlev.
During the Soviet Era
Founded in 1922 by Andrei Tupolev, the Tupolev OKB concentrated on aeronautical research and aircraft design while delegating manufacturing to external entities. Their initial focus was on pioneering all-metal aircraft construction techniques inspired by Hugo Junkers’ innovations during World War I.
Among their early notable creations were heavy bombers like the ANT-4 (1925) and ANT-6 (1932), which featured corrugated duralumin skins and influenced subsequent civil and military large aircraft designs.
Throughout World War II, the twin-engine Tu-2 emerged as a prominent Soviet frontline bomber produced extensively despite wartime resource limitations. Following the war, Tupolev developed the Tu-4—a reverse-engineered adaptation of the American B-29 Superfortress—and subsequently introduced the Tu-16 jet bomber equipped with swept wings optimized for subsonic flight.
To extend operational range beyond what turbojets could provide at that time, Tupolev engineered the Tu-95 strategic bomber powered by four Kuznetsov NK-12 turboprop engines. This design combined jet-like speed with long-range capabilities and served as the Soviet counterpart to the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, fulfilling roles including reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare.
The Tu-16 platform evolved into the Tu-104, recognized as the Soviet Union’s first jet airliner. Additionally, the Tu-95 served as a basis for the Tu-114 airliner—renowned as the fastest turboprop ever built. A distinctive feature among many large Tupolev aircraft is their rearward wing-mounted pods housing landing gear equipped with numerous low-pressure tires to accommodate poorly maintained Soviet airstrips; for example, the Tu-154 employs 14 tires—comparable to those on Boeing’s significantly larger 777-200.
Prior to maiden flights of both the Tu-16 and Tu-95, Tupolev explored supersonic bomber concepts such as the unsuccessful Tu-98. This project led to prototype developments including the Tu-102 interceptor and ultimately resulted in the supersonic Tu-22 bomber during the 1960s. Although less advanced than its American counterpart—the Convair B-58 Hustler—the Tu-22 remained operational for a longer period. The bureau also ventured into unmanned aerial vehicles with reconnaissance drones like the Tu-139 and Tu-143.
In the 1960s, management under Andrei Tupolev’s son, Aleksey Tupolev, propelled advancements including creation of the world’s first supersonic passenger aircraft—the Tu-144—as well as development of widely used models such as the Tu-154 airliner and the strategic Tu-22M bomber. These achievements contributed significantly to establishing Soviet aviation competitiveness with Western counterparts.
Despite its technological breakthroughs, the Tu-144 suffered fatal accidents in 1973 and 1978 that led to its removal from commercial passenger service.
Throughout the 1970s, efforts concentrated on upgrading Tu-22M bombers—including maritime variants—which played a role in SALT I and II arms limitation agreements. At the same time, enhancements to the Tu-154 culminated in introduction of its efficient variant, the Tu-154M.
During the 1980s, Tupolev developed the Tu-160, a supersonic strategic bomber featuring variable-sweep wings that solidified its standing within strategic military aviation.
Post-Soviet Period
After the Cold War, Tupolev shifted its focus toward subsonic commercial airplanes, prioritizing cost-efficiency and the use of alternative fuels. Significant advancements included the integration of fly-by-wire technology, the adoption of fuel-efficient high-bypass turbofan engines, and the refinement of aerodynamic designs tailored for modern 21st-century aircraft such as the Tu-204/Tu-214, Tu-330, and Tu-334.
Projects undertaken during the 1990s and 2000s encompassed:
- Ongoing enhancements to the Tu-204/214 and Tu-334 series
- Development of the cargo transporter Tu-330 alongside the regional and executive-class Tu-324
- Exploration into operations utilizing alternative fuels
- Upgrading capabilities for Russian Naval Aviation and the Air Force
At MAKS-2003, Tupolev introduced the Tu-444 supersonic business jet concept, with plans to initiate development in 2004; nevertheless, advancement on this project has since been suspended.
In early 2023, United Aircraft Corporation announced that Tupolev will manufacture 20 TU-214 units annually and is working on a freighter version to satisfy domestic market requirements.
Directors
- Andrei Nikolayevich Tupolev directed design activities at Moscow's Central Aero-Hydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI) from 1929 through 1972, concentrating on bomber and passenger aircraft.
- Alexei Andreyevich Tupolev, son of Andrei, renowned for his work on the supersonic Tupolev Tu-144, led Tupolev until his death in 2001.
- Igor Sergeevich Shevchuk assumed leadership in 1997, later holding positions as Chairman and President/General Designer until his passing in 2011.
- Alexandr Vladimirovich Koniukhov served as director general between 2016 and 2020.
- Ronis Nakipovich Sharipov took over as director general in May 2020.
- Since 2021, Vadim Vladimirovich Korolev has been serving as managing director.
In September 2021, Rustam Minnikhanov, President of Tatarstan, was appointed chairman of Tupolev's board of directors.
Awards
The Design Bureau’s personnel have been honored with numerous distinguished state accolades acknowledging their outstanding contributions to aviation technology and manufacturing:
- 1927 – Awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labour of the RSFSR for progress in aerodynamics, aerial sled research, wind power systems, glider development, aviation materials testing, and metal aircraft construction.
- 1927 – Received a second Order of the Red Banner of Labour recognizing achievements in establishing mass production of metal combat aircraft along with notable scientific and economic accomplishments.
- 1933 – Conferred the Order of the Red Banner for technical breakthroughs and successful large-scale production of new passenger metal aircraft that bolstered USSR defense capabilities.
- 1947 – Honored with the Order of Lenin marking a quarter-century of exceptional domestic aviation advancement.
- 1971 – Granted the Order of the October Revolution for meeting five-year plan goals and producing innovative aviation equipment.
- 1972 – Awarded another Order of Lenin for excellence in aviation technology development and training skilled design personnel.
In both 2007 and 2012, JSC Tupolev employees received official Gratitude from the President of Russia for their significant roles within the aviation sector.
On April 18, 2018, PJSC Tupolev was presented with presidential gratitude recognizing its contributions to aviation progress and operational achievements. CEO Alexander Konyukhov accepted this honor from Arkady Dvorkovich, Deputy Chairman of the Government, during a Ministry of Industry and Trade board session.
See also
- List of Tupolev aircraft models
- Catalogue of Soviet Union and CIS military aircraft
- Antonov Design Bureau overview