Upgraded Tupolev-22M3M Strategic Bomber's First Flight in August

The upgraded supersonic long-range bomber Tupolev-22M3M will make its first flight in August, the CEO of the Tupolev design bureau, Alexander Konyukhov, told TASS on Wednesday.

"Yes, this will happen at the airdrome of the aircraft-building plant in Kazan," he said.

The Tu-22M3M bombers will get advanced precision weapons while their radio-electronic devices and engines will be similar to the equipment aboard the latest Tu-160M2 aircraft, TASS had reported in November 2017.

The plant will upgrade the Tupolev-22M3 planes currently in service the Defense Ministry is still to select.

"Not all planes currently on duty will be upgraded. Only those the Defense Ministry will point at," Konyukhov said.

About 30 planes will be upgraded to the level of the Tu-22M3M. They will feature a new SVP-24-22 radio-electronic system, a NV-45 radar, the cockpit’s improved ergonomics, new onboard systems and an extended service life of 35 years. The upgraded bomber will be able to carry precision conventional weapons, including Kh-32 cruise missiles with a range of up to 600 km.