earch Tupolev Tu-22 Ту-22 Tu-22 at the Monino Russian Federation Air Force Museum Role Medium bomber Manufacturer Tupolev First flight 7 September 1959 Introduction 1962 Retired 1990s (Russia) Primary users Soviet Air Force Ukrainian Air Force Libyan Air Force Iraqi Air Force Produced 1960–1969 Number built 311 Developed into Tupolev Tu-22M The Tupolev Tu-22 (NATO reporting name: Blinder) was the first supersonic bomber to enter production in the Soviet Union.