The Tupolev Design Bureau, officially known as OKB-156 (Opytno-Konstruktorskoye Byuro), stands as one of the most influential aircraft design organizations in aviation history. Founded by Andrei Nikolayevich Tupolev, the bureau's legacy spans from the earliest days of Soviet aviation through the jet age and beyond, producing some of the most iconic aircraft in Russian aerospace history.
Historical Background
Andrei Tupolev began his aircraft design work in 1921, initially using the designation "ANT" (his initials) for his designs. The bureau's early work focused on pioneering all-metal aircraft construction in the Soviet Union, a revolutionary approach that would define Soviet aviation for decades to come. From modest beginnings with the ANT-1, Tupolev's designs evolved into sophisticated bombers, airliners, and specialized military aircraft that served the Soviet Union through peace and war.
Early Aircraft (ANT Series 1921-1944)
ANT-1 (1921-1923)
The first aircraft by A.N.T. and the first Soviet-built aircraft. Mixed materials design. Work started in 1921, assembly began in 1922, and the first flight took place in 1923. The tests were cancelled due to engine malfunction.
ANT-2 (1924)
Two passenger aircraft. The first Soviet all-metal aircraft, marking a significant milestone in Soviet aviation technology.
ANT-3/R-3/PS-3 (1925)
All-metal two-seat reconnaissance biplane. Approximately 100 were built, establishing Tupolev's reputation for practical military designs.
ANT-4/TB-1 (1925)
All-metal twin-engined (M-17B) monoplane heavy bomber. 212 aircraft were built, with a G-1 cargo version also produced.
ANT-5/I-4 (1927)
Prototype of the I-4 fighter, notable as the first aircraft designed by Pavel Sukhoi. 369 were built, and the I-4 remained in service from 1928 to 1933.
ANT-6/TB-3 (1930)
Four-engine development of the TB-1, representing a major advancement in Soviet heavy bomber capability. A G-2 cargo version was also produced.
ANT-7/R-6/KR-6/MR-6 (1931)
Development of the TB-1 as reconnaissance (R-6), "cruiser" escort fighter (KR-6), and maritime patrol/torpedo bomber (MR-6).
ANT-8/MDR-2 (1931)
Maritime long-range reconnaissance flying boat.
ANT-9/PS-9 (1929)
Three-engine passenger airliner, demonstrating Tupolev's versatility in both military and civilian designs.
ANT-10/R-7 (1930)
Reconnaissance/light bomber aircraft prototype.
ANT-11/MTBT (1929)
Twin-hulled flying boat project.
ANT-12/I-5 (1930)
Biplane fighter prototype that entered production as the Polikarpov I-5.
ANT-13/I-8 (1930)
Fighter/interceptor prototype developed from the ANT-12.
ANT-14 Pravda (1931)
Large five-engine propaganda monoplane developed from the ANT-9, named after the Soviet newspaper.
ANT-15/DI-3 (1930)
Two-seat fighter project.
ANT-16/TB-4 (1933)
Six-engine version of the TB-3, predecessor of the ANT-20.
ANT-17/TShB/TSh-1 (1930)
Prototype ground attack aircraft.
ANT-18/TShB/TSh-1 (1930)
Twin-engine biplane ground attack aircraft based on the ANT-7.
ANT-19 (1929)
Projected twin-engine airliner based on the TB-1.
ANT-20 Maxim Gorky (1934)
Eight-engine huge cargo/propaganda aircraft, one of the largest aircraft of its era.
ANT-21/MI-3 (1933)
Multiseat fighter, development of the R-6.
ANT-22/MK-1 (1934)
Armoured six-engine reconnaissance flying boat prototype, development of the ANT-11.
ANT-23/I-12 (1931)
Experimental twin-engine fighter equipped with two recoilless 75mm cannons.
ANT-24/TB-4 (1931)
Projected enlarged version of the ANT-16 powered by four M-44 engines, precursor of the ANT-26.
ANT-25/RD (1933)
Single-engine monoplane long-range bomber designed by Pavel Sukhoi. The ANT-25RD (RD for "Rekord Dalnosty", i.e. "Range Record") was used in a record flight from Moscow to San Jacinto, California, USA over the North Pole—10,148 km. One was built in 1989 as a replica.
ANT-26/TB-6 (1932)
12-engined heavy-bomber aircraft project.
ANT-27/MDR-4/MTB-1 (1934)
Patrol flying-boat for the Soviet Navy.
ANT-28
Cargo version of the TB-6.
ANT-29/DIP-1 (1935)
Twin-engine fighter, development of the ANT-21.
ANT-29 (II)
Passenger version of the MTB-1.
ANT-30/SK-1 (1933)
Twin-engine escort fighter/high-speed bomber aircraft, developed from the R-6 and MI-3.
ANT-31/I-14 (1933)
All metal monoplane fighter.
ANT-32/I-13 (1934)
Single-seat fighter project. Design revised by Polikarpov, becoming the I-15.
ANT-33 (1932)
High-wing airliner project.
ANT-34/MI-4
Multi-seat fighter project from the early 1930s.
ANT-35/PS-35 (1936)
Twin-engine airliner developed from the SB.
ANT-36/DB-1 (1936)
Long-range bomber developed from the ANT-25.
ANT-37/DB-2 (1935)
Long-range bomber based on the DB-1.
ANT-38/VSB-1 (1934)
High-altitude high-speed bomber project.
ANT-40/SB/PS-40/PS-41 (1934)
Medium bomber, also erroneously known as SB-2. One of the most successful Soviet bomber designs of the pre-war period.
ANT-41/T-1/LK-1 (1934)
Twin-engine high speed multirole aircraft.
ANT-42/TB-7 (1936)
Four-engine heavy bomber prototype that entered production as the Petlyakov Pe-8.
ANT-43 (1936)
Seven-seat army liaison aircraft/airliner project based on the ANT-31.
ANT-44/MTB-2 Chaika (1937)
Heavy-bomber flying-boat.
ANT-45/DIP (1936)
Two-seat cannon armed fighter project.
ANT-46/DI-8 (1935)
Prototype three-seat fighter version of the SB.
ANT-48/SS (1935)
Projected high speed sport aircraft.
ANT-50 (1937)
Projected twin-engine high-speed airliner developed from the ANT-43.
ANT-51/SZ (1937)
Short-range bomber prototype that entered production as the Sukhoi Su-2.
ANT-53 (1936)
Proposed four-engine airliner based on the TB-7. The design was similar to the Boeing 307.
ANT-56/SRB (1940)
High-speed reconnaissance/bomber project.
'57'/PB (1939)
High-altitude heavy dive bomber project.
'58'/FB/'103' (1940)
First prototype of the Tu-2.
'59'/'103U' (1941)
Second prototype of the Tu-2.
'60'/'103V'/Tu-2
Third prototype of the Tu-2.
'64'/Tu-10 (1943)
Long-range four-engine bomber project, prototype of the Tu-4.
'66' (1944)
52-seat airliner variant of the ANT-64.
Bombers and Other Military Types
Tu-2 "Bat" (1941)
3-seat medium bomber that became one of the most successful Soviet tactical bombers of World War II. The design evolved from the '58', '59', and '60' prototypes.
Tu-4 "Bull" (1947)
Copied from several seized Boeing B-29 Superfortress aircraft. Initially designated B-4, as A.N. Tupolev did not want to give his name to an aircraft designed outside his bureau. This reverse-engineering project gave the Soviet Union its first strategic bomber capability.
Tu-14 "Bosun" (1949)
Also known as the Tu-81, this torpedo bomber represented the bureau's entry into jet-powered naval aviation.
Tu-16 "Badger" (1952)
Strategic bomber that became one of the most successful Soviet bomber designs, serving in numerous variants for decades. The design also formed the basis for the Tu-104 airliner.
Tu-20/Tu-95 "Bear" (1952)
Long-range strategic bomber powered by turboprop engines, one of the fastest propeller-driven aircraft ever built. Still in service today in various modifications, making it one of the longest-serving military aircraft in history.
Tu-142 "Bear F/Bear J"
Anti-submarine warfare and reconnaissance variant of the Tu-95, featuring extended fuselage and specialized mission equipment.
Tu-22 "Blinder" (1959)
Supersonic medium bomber, the Soviet Union's first supersonic bomber design.
Tu-22M/Tu-26 "Backfire" (1969)
Supersonic swing-wing long-range and maritime strike bomber, representing a significant advancement in Soviet strategic aviation capability.
Tu-126 "Moss"
Airborne early warning (AEW) and control aircraft variant of the Tu-114 airliner, providing the Soviet Union with its first dedicated AEW platform.
Tu-160 "Blackjack"
Supersonic swing-wing strategic bomber, the last of the Soviet bombers and the largest combat aircraft ever built. Still in production and service with the Russian Air Force.
Interceptors
Tu-28/Tu-128 "Fiddler"
Long-range interceptor designed to defend the Soviet Union's vast northern territories. The largest and heaviest fighter ever to enter service, capable of carrying large air-to-air missiles for engaging strategic bombers at extreme ranges.
Airliners and Transport Aircraft
Tu-104 "Camel"
Medium-range airliner developed from the Tu-16 bomber. The world's first successful jet airliner to enter regular service, beating the de Havilland Comet into sustained commercial operation.
Tu-114 Rossiya "Cleat"
Long-range airliner developed from the Tu-95 bomber. One of the fastest propeller-driven airliners ever built, capable of transatlantic flights.
Tu-116
Two Tu-95 bombers fitted with passenger cabins for VIP transport duties.
Tu-124 "Cookpot"
Short-haul jet airliner developed from the Tu-104, designed for operation from shorter runways and smaller airports.
Tu-134 "Crusty"
Rear-engine evolution of the Tu-124, becoming one of the most widely used Soviet short-range airliners with production exceeding 850 aircraft.
Tu-144 "Charger"
The world's first supersonic airliner, beating the Concorde into the air by several months. Though less commercially successful than the Concorde, it represented a remarkable achievement in Soviet aerospace engineering.
Tu-154 "Careless"
Medium-range narrow-body jet airliner that became the workhorse of Soviet and Russian civil aviation. Over 1,000 were built, serving airlines across the Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc.
Tu-204
Medium-range narrow-body jet airliner designed as a modern replacement for the Tu-154, featuring advanced avionics and more efficient engines.
Tu-214
Tu-204-200 variant built in Kazan by KAPO, featuring extended range and improved systems.
Tu-224
Tu-214 powered by two Rolls-Royce RB211 engines; initially known as Tu-214A, representing international collaboration in the post-Soviet era.
Tu-234
Shortened, longer range version of the Tu-204 designed for routes requiring smaller capacity but extended range.
Unmanned Aircraft
Tu-113 (1955)
Proposed unmanned flying bomb project.
Tu-121 "S" (1959)
Unmanned drone prototype that served as the basis for several reconnaissance drone developments.
Tu-123 Yastreb-1/DBR-1 (1961)
Long-range reconnaissance drone developed from the Tu-121, capable of high-speed, high-altitude missions over enemy territory.
Tu-130 "KR" (1957)
Projected unmanned three-stage intercontinental boost-glide missile.
Tu-131 (1959)
Unmanned surface-to-air missile interceptor prototype.
Tu-133 (1957)
Intercontinental cruise missile based on the Tu-121.
Tu-137 Sputnik
Unmanned spaceplane project developed from the Tu-136 Zvezda.
Tu-139 Yastreb-2/DBR-2 (1968)
Prototype reusable version of the Tu-123 reconnaissance drone.
Tu-140
Air-to-surface missile project.
Tu-141 Yastreb-P
Prototype manned version of the Tu-123.
Tu-141 Strizh
Medium-range reconnaissance drone developed from the Tu-123, widely used by Soviet and Warsaw Pact forces.
Tu-143 Reis (1976)
Short-range reconnaissance drone that became one of the most widely deployed Soviet tactical UAVs.
Tu-243 Reis-D
Stretched and improved version of the Tu-143, developed in the late 1990s with enhanced capabilities.
Tu-300 Korshun (1995)
Modernized version of the Tu-143, incorporating updated avionics and sensor systems.
Voron
Supersonic reconnaissance drone prototype representing the latest evolution in Tupolev's unmanned aircraft development.
Engineering Legacy
The Tupolev Design Bureau's work spans the entire history of Soviet and Russian aviation, from the pioneering all-metal designs of the 1920s to modern supersonic bombers and advanced unmanned systems. The bureau's ability to adapt and innovate across multiple aircraft categories—from heavy bombers to supersonic airliners, from interceptors to reconnaissance drones—demonstrates an unparalleled breadth of aerospace engineering expertise.
The emphasis on all-metal construction established in the ANT series, the development of heavy bomber capabilities that defined Soviet strategic power, and the versatility to produce both military and civilian aircraft demonstrated the bureau's comprehensive approach to aerospace engineering. Many of Tupolev's designs served as training grounds for future legendary designers, including Pavel Sukhoi, who would go on to establish his own design bureau.
Documentation and Research Resources
For researchers, restorers, and aviation historians interested in Tupolev aircraft, comprehensive technical documentation remains essential. Online Aviation Library maintains curated collections of historical manuals, technical drawings, and engineering documentation for various Soviet aircraft, providing valuable resources for understanding these remarkable machines.
The legacy of the Tupolev Design Bureau continues to influence modern aviation, with the organization still active today as part of the United Aircraft Corporation, producing advanced aircraft for both military and civilian applications. From the ANT-1 of 1923 to the Tu-160 still flying today, the Tupolev name represents over a century of continuous innovation in aerospace design.