Sukhoi T-4
Tushino Machine-Building Plant · Soviet Union · first flew 1972 · bomber
The Sukhoi T-4 (NATO: Backfire-A / known as 'Sotka') was a Soviet supersonic strategic strike and reconnaissance aircraft designed to reach Mach 3, featuring a drooping nose, pure delta wing, and four turbojets mounted in a ventral cluster.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, delta |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Four turbojets buried in the fuselage underside in a rectangular cluster |
| T — Tail | No tailplane |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Soviet Mach 3-capable strategic bomber prototype with droop nose like Concorde
- Pure delta wing with no horizontal tail surfaces
- Four turbojets buried in the fuselage underside in a rectangular cluster
Unmistakable Mach 3 delta-wing bomber with a Concorde-style drooping nose visor, no horizontal tail, and four engines in a ventral box beneath the fuselage.
Specifications
- The Sukhoi T-4 has a length of 44 m (144 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 22 m (72 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 3200 km/h (1988 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in August 1972, the T-4 demonstrated exceptional performance but was cancelled in favour of the Tupolev Tu-22M due to cost and industrial capacity concerns. Only one prototype flew, completing a limited number of test flights before the programme was halted in 1974.
Variants
Only a single flying prototype (Article 101) was completed; an enlarged T-4MS all-wing strategic bomber variant was designed but never built.
Where you'll see it
Never entered operational service; the sole flying prototype is preserved at the Monino Air Force Museum near Moscow.
Related aircraft
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