Tu-128
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Tu-128

Tupolev Tu-128

 

Tu-128, which NATO Codification called "Fiddler" - Double loitering Soviet interceptor having a long-range.

History Tu-128

Starting from the middle of 50-ies of the Soviet air defense interceptors in need of further action that could provide a comprehensive defense of the USSR borders. With this purpose in the Bureau named. Tupolev began to carry out work on the design of the new aircraft Tu-128. Externally it had similarities with the bomber Tu-22, could carry aboard a powerful radar and missiles "air-to-air." Interceptor was constructed on the basis of Tu-102, which was first raised to the sky in 1959, the name of the serial Tu-102, which he received in the city of 1963 - Tu-28P. Next a deep modernization of the aircraft received index Tu-128.

Tu-128 back

On interceptor Tu-128 many technical ideas of the Tu-98, in particular low-positioned wide swept wing were sold, placing the chassis rods in the wings and nacelles low-lying stabilizer.

Design Tu-128

The structure of the power plant was part of a pair of turbojet engines AL-7F-2, which are placed inside the fuselage. In contrast to the basic Tu-22, the new interceptor was not equipped with an internal weapons bay. Armament was recorded on the pylons of the wings and the fuselage was used as a huge fuel tanks. A prototype of the Tu-28P design had the crew cabin that can accommodate two people, who sat alone for a second.

Tu-128 pilot

Tu-102 was carrying a huge built-in radar, but also the test equipment is in the bottom bulge. The Tu-28P made larger nose cone to control missile weapons, are involved through the heat radar "Smerch-100» system. It has a range of target detection 50 km radius capture - within 40 km. Thanks to the good purposes of detection and capture performance interceptor did not have contact with the ground radar, he could independently make interceptions.

In the case of autonomous action required only a few data on the location of air targets. Therefore, it can be effectively used in remote areas for the ground radar. During operation, it is often used together with the aviation AWACS Tu-126. The aircraft was virtually no defensive weapons, electronic warfare systems, the system notifies of radar illumination, which were equipped with smaller interceptors Sukhoi design.

Tu-128 was the interceptor, which had a heavy load on the wing, simple operation and a bad review, high weight and modest figure maneuverability. The mission was part of the aircraft to intercept NATO's strategic bombers, for example, B-52, rather than keeping the fight with smaller and more maneuverable enemy aircraft.

Tu-128

The complex of communication and navigation equipment, which was used on the Tu-128, was the same as that of long-range bombers. This made it possible to intercept the interceptor in the harsh climatic conditions of the Far East and the Far North. The effective operation of the AL-7F-2 engines in various flight modes was provided by air intakes with movable two-stage cone bodies. The advanced take-off and landing qualities of Tu-128 at that time were based on the use of sliding slot flaps, and during the landing, in addition to them, a brake parachute and spoilers were also used.

Armament Tu-128

The armament includes four aircraft missiles "air-to-air" F-4 / 80-K, developed by KB Bisnovatyi. Typically, these were two missiles R-4R with semi-active radar guidance and fixed on the outer pylons and two P-4T that were placed on the inner pylons and had infrared guidance. Armament aircraft upgraded in 60-ies, it was equipped with missiles R-4TM and P-4RM.

The military use of the Tu-128 provides several options. One of these involves the identification of goals, and aiming interceptor performed with the involvement of ground stations and AWACS planes Tu-126. Interacting with this complex, aboard the Tu-128 could work in the semi-autonomous mode. From spy operator-navigator received rate and the composition of the goal, further search was carried out on their own interceptor.

Tu-128

12.12.1963 in the Ministry of Defence of the USSR title aviation complex missile interception was fixed, which included were:

  • Tu-128;

  • missiles "air-to-air" P and P-4T 4R;

  • Radar RP-C "Smerch".

Serial production of the Tu-128 1970 lasted up to a year. Total released 188 interceptors. In 1971 10 was created machines for pilot training, four of which have been converted from fighters. This version was the naming of the Tu-128UT. Its construction on the site of the radar there is an additional front cabin. Further projects Tupolev Tu desk with the names and Tu-138-148 not received further development.

The crew of the Tu-128

For this class of aircraft best suited crew, including two people. Duties of crew composition:

  • The pilot was responsible for piloting the aircraft, the implementation of route guidance based on the command board RP-S radar, and the implementation of a missile launch.

  • Navigator is the operator responsible for samoletovozhdenie throughout the flight, looking for air targets with the help of on-board radar, perform their recognition, capture, and was on the radio with the base airfield.

 

Tu-128 cabin

Before the appearance of the Tu-128, fighters seldom took aboard as part of the crew of the navigator-operator. But this model showed the effectiveness of high-level team work. Part of the navigation work fell on the shoulders of a specialist, while the pilot could focus on the main tasks: on interception and defeat of the target. Particularly effective was the work after honing the technology of engaging air assets in the front hemisphere. Thus, it was possible to make targeted hits, located at altitudes of 3,5-4 km below the target, which was safer than shooting at the same level.

Tu-128 characteristics:


Modification   Tu-128
Wingspan, m   17.53
Aircraft Length m   30.06
Height, m   7.15
Wing area, m2   96.94
Weight, kg  
  empty   24500
  normal takeoff   40000
  maximum take-off   43700
Internal fuel, kg   1300
Engines   2 TRD Saturn (Cradle) AL-7Ф2
Thrust, kgf   X 2 10100
Maximum speed km / h  
   with ur   1655
  without ur   1910
Practical flight range, km   2565
Practical ceiling, m   15600
Crew   2
Armament:   2 UR air-to-air P-4PM and 2 P-4TM

 

Tupolev Tu-128. Gallery.

Tu-128 photo airplane on runwayTu-128 the plane before take-off in the fleetTu-128 model airplane

Tu-128 photo frontTu-128 the nose of the aircraftTu-128 photo airplane tail

Tu-128 in the fleetPhoto Tu-128 on runwaythe tail portion of the aircraft Tu-128

 

Tupolev Tu-128. Video.

 

Aircraft

 

Cognitive material. After serving in the Naval Aviation urgent I never heard of this plane.

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