According to Russian website TASS, the second upgraded aircraft TU-22M3M performed its maiden flight recently.

The bomber took off and landed at the factory airfield of the Tupolev company (an affiliate of the united aircraft construction corporation governed by the state company Rostec) in Kazan, Russia.

According to the company's press service, the plane's takeoff and landing parameters were tested on the flight and the IT and control systems were tested.

Still according to the press, the series of test flights involving the modernized TU-22M3M aircraft should start soon.

The first TU-22M3M aircraft performed its first flight on December 18, 2018 and in 2019 18 successful flights were made where all the aircraft systems were tested.

In addition to the renewed avionics and other systems, the modernized Tu-22s will be able to carry X-32 cruises and hypersonic missiles, thus increasing their firepower.