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Tupolev Tu-28

From Alfawiki
Tupolev
IndustryAerospace
Founded1922
FounderAndrei Tupolev
Headquarters
Moscow
,
Soviet Union
ProductsAircraft, including the Tupolev Tu-28 (Tu-128) interceptor


Template:Infobox aircraft

The Tupolev Tu-28 (known by its NATO reporting name as Fiddler) is a Soviet-era long-range interceptor aircraft that entered service during the 1960s. Although officially designated as the Tu-128, this label was less frequently used outside the Soviet Union.[1] It holds the distinction of being the largest and heaviest fighter ever produced in series production, assuming the classification of "fighter" encompasses interceptors.[2] For context, heavier interceptor prototypes like the Lockheed YF-12 never reached operational status.[1][3]

Background

During the 1950s, the Soviet Union aimed to establish an effective defense system against potential incursions by American nuclear-capable bombers, particularly along its extensive and exposed northern frontier. At that time, existing interceptors such as the Yakovlev Yak-28P could only cover limited operational radii of several hundred kilometers,[4][5][6] operating from northern airfields like Talagi and Savatiya.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Additionally, the newly developed surface-to-air missile systems had even more restricted reach.[4] Given these limitations, defending a vast airspace stretching approximately 5,000 km[nb 1] was economically unfeasible using conventional interceptor deployment or missile coverage. Consequently, comprehensive modern air defense was only achievable for select high-value regions.[6] The PVO opted for a strategy to protect the entire territory but with reduced density of forces. In 1955, they issued a requirement for a large-area interceptor capable of providing coverage through widely spaced airbases.[1][5] This interceptor needed to be supersonic with substantial fuel capacity to ensure extended patrol endurance and range, equipped with advanced radar systems and armed with the most potent air-to-air missiles available at the time. The initial attempt to meet this specification was the Lavochkin La-250, a 30-tonne prototype interceptor,[6] which ultimately did not enter production and marked the final project from the Lavochkin design bureau.

Design and development

File:TU-128.jpg
Tu-128 prototype displayed at the Central Air Force Museum, Monino, Russia

Development of the new interceptor was headed by Iosif Nezval[1][6] from the Tupolev Design Bureau. Initiated in 1958, the project was based on a single prototype of the unsuccessful supersonic bomber Tu-98. Initially designated as the Tu-28, the interceptor’s military code was revised in 1963 to Tu-128, aligning with the designation used internally by the OKB.[4][1][6]

The Tu-128 featured a wide, low to mid-mounted swept wing configuration that housed the primary landing gear within pods attached to the wings, complemented by slab tailplanes. Its propulsion came from two Lyulka AL-7F-2 turbojet engines[4][1] installed within the fuselage. The cockpit accommodated a two-person crew arranged in tandem, consisting of a pilot and a navigator.

With a maximum takeoff weight reaching 43 tonnes, the Tu-128 was recognized as the heaviest fighter inducted into service.[nb 2][1] Designed exclusively as an interceptor, it featured high wing loading, rudimentary yet dependable avionics, and limited cockpit visibility. Due to these characteristics, it lacked maneuverability[1] and was specifically intended to counter large NATO bombers such as the B-52,[1][6] rather than engage in close-range combat with smaller fighters.

The aircraft was first publicly revealed during the 1961 Tushino air parade. Western analysts mistakenly identified a belly bulge—which actually contained test equipment—as a substantial ventral radar system, assuming it served a dual interceptor and AWACS function.[3] The production models removed this bulge and instead featured a prominent nose radome housing the RP-S radar system, also known as Smerch. This radar had an approximate detection capability of 50 km (31 mi[1]) and could lock onto targets at around 40 km (25 mi).[4] Some references incorrectly list this radar as RP-5 instead of RP-S.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

The Tu-128’s offensive loadout consisted of four Bisnovat R-4 air-to-air missiles (initially called K-80 during development;[4] NATO reporting name AA-5 'Ash'). Typically, two R-4Rs equipped with semi-active radar homing were mounted on the outer pylons, while two R-4T missiles with infrared-homing guidance occupied the inner underwing pylons. The aircraft did not feature an internal weapons bay.

Production concluded in 1970 after manufacturing 198 units.[4][7]

Several proposed variants such as Tu-28A, Tu-28-80, Tu-28-100, Tu-138, and Tu-148 were developed conceptually by Tupolev but never advanced beyond planning stages.[4]

Operational history

The Tu-128's sole publicly acknowledged combat role involved intercepting and destroying NATO reconnaissance balloons. This aircraft remained active in service until 1990.[4][1] Throughout the 1980s, units equipped with the Tu-128 transitioned to the Mikoyan MiG-31,[4][3] which offered enhanced sensor capabilities and weaponry.[8]

Variants

File:Tupolev Tu-128UT.jpg
Tupolev Tu-128UT
Prototype of Tu-28 ('Fiddler-A')
This was a developmental test plane, with only one unit produced. The OKB assigned it the designation 128.[4][1][3] In Western terminology, Fiddler-A refers to all aircraft featuring twin ventral fins,[1] encompassing the prototype and a small number of early production models (estimated at two[4] aircraft).
Tu-128 (also called Tu-28; 'Fiddler-B')
The principal variant, which entered operational service in 1964,[4] although some sources cite 1966.[1][6] Initially designated as Tu-28,[1][6] these aircraft were renamed in 1963.[4][9] The complete weapons system (including aircraft, radar, and missiles) carried the designation Tu-128S-4.[4][1] Western sources sometimes incorrectly use the more specific terms Tu-28P or Tu-128P for this model,[3][5][7] but these are not used in Soviet documentation.
Tu-128UT (also known as Tu-28UT)
A trainer variant equipped with a second cockpit positioned ahead of the standard one, replacing the radar station. Ten units were built, with an additional four converted from operational interceptors.[4][9]
Tu-128M
A modernization program initiated in 1970 and completed by 1979 upgraded nearly all existing aircraft to improve low-altitude interception capabilities.[4] Neither the engines nor the airframe underwent modifications.[4] The weapons complex for this version was designated Tu-128S-4M.[4][1][9] It featured an updated RP-SM Smerch-M radar system along with an enhanced missile suite comprising R-4RM and R-4TM missiles.[4][9]

Abandoned

Tu-28A
A proposed new model that was ultimately discontinued.[4][9]
Tu-28-80
A development project that did not progress beyond planning stages.[4][9]
Tu-28-100
Another planned variant that was abandoned before production.[4][9]
Tu-138
A proposed new design that was never realized.[4][9]
Tu-148
A concept featuring variable geometry wings that was eventually dropped.[4][9]

Operators

Template:USSR

Specifications (Tu-128)

File:Tupolev Tu-128 3-view line drawing.svg
Three-view illustration of the Tupolev Tu-128

Template:Aircraft specs

See also

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Notes

  1. ↑ The distance between Murmansk and Anadyr measures about 4,911 km.
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named fi

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named k
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named fi
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named s
  4. ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 4.18 4.19 4.20 4.21 4.22 4.23 4.24 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named r
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named b
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named w
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named e
  8. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  9. ↑ 9.00 9.01 9.02 9.03 9.04 9.05 9.06 9.07 9.08 9.09 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).

External links

  • File:Commons-logo.svg Media related to Lua error in Module:Commons_link at line 62: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). at Wikimedia Commons

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