Tupolev Tu-82

Tupolev · Soviet Union · first flew 1949 · bomber

The Tupolev Tu-82 was the Soviet Union's first swept-wing jet bomber prototype, flying in 1949 with twin Klimov VK-1 turbojets and demonstrating the aerodynamic advantages of the 35-degree swept wing for high subsonic performance. The single prototype contributed to Soviet knowledge of swept-wing jet bomber design.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, swept
E — Engines	2 × turbojet, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	17.57 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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First Soviet swept-wing jet bomber prototype, 35-degree sweep
Twin Klimov VK-1 turbojets in underwing nacelles
Single prototype; closely related to Tu-14 development

A compact twin-jet bomber with moderately swept wings and underwing engine nacelles, conventional tail, and a streamlined fuselage with a glazed nose. The combination of swept wings and twin nacelles below the wing was new for Soviet bomber design in 1949.

Specifications

The Tupolev Tu-82 has a length of 17.57 m (58 ft).
It has a wingspan of 17.81 m (58 ft).
Its maximum speed is 934 km/h (580 mph).
Typical crew: 3.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Developed in the late 1940s as Tupolev explored the transition from straight-wing to swept-wing jet aircraft, the Tu-82 represented an important step between the earlier Tu-14 torpedo bomber lineage and the later swept-wing Tu-16. The prototype's 934 km/h maximum speed validated the swept-wing concept for Soviet bomber development. No production followed as the programme fed into larger swept-wing designs.

Variants

Single prototype only.

Where you'll see it

Never entered operational service; research and development aircraft only.

Related aircraft

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