The Tupolev Tu-22M Backfire (incorrectly called Badger in the game, which is the Tu-16 - a 1950s bomber which was retired by Russia and the former Soviet nations in 1993), is a Soviet/Russian supersonic swing-wing strategic/maritime strike bomber built by the Soviet aircraft maker Tupolev. The Tu-22M was an improved model of the not very successful Tu-22 Blinder (which was regarded as being inferior to the 1950s Tu-16) and was first flown in 1969, entering service with Soviet Air Force and Soviet Naval Aviation in 1972, the two braches used the Backfire differently, the Air Force used her as a strategic bomber whilst the Navy used her as a long-range anti-ship bomber. After the break-up of the USSR in 1991 the Backfire was used by the Russian Air Force and Russian Naval Aviation and former