Why China’s Tu-22 bombers would represent a serious threat to U.S. Navy aircraft carriers

The Aviationist ^ | January 4, 2013 | Tyler Rogoway

[Red Steel]

AIM-54s were retired at the same time as the F-14s as I recall.

[Red Steel]

Tu-22 is a Blinder, Tu-22M (pictured above) is a Backfire.

I see that Tu-22Ms are one in the same as TU-26 Backfires.

[cunning_fish]

AFAIK, out of 4 Tu-22s ever lost in combat at least one was downed by F-14 using AIM-54 (Iran-Iraq War).

[cunning_fish]

>Is anyone going to point out that these things are about as stealthy as the Hindenburg? Long, long before they get anywhere near a carrier group they will be lit up on AEGIS like a Christmas tree.<

USN considered it a significant threat. F-14&AIM-54 was an answer. Today there is no adequate defence. F-18 isn’t even as fast as Fackfire. And a bomber like that doesn’t need to enter a carrier defence zone. It fires missiles pretty far away from target.