Tupolev Tu-144
Specs, top speed, range and facts
The Tupolev Tu-144 is a supersonic airliner built by Tupolev in USSR. It first flew in 1968 and entered service in 1977. The Soviet supersonic airliner, which flew before Concorde.
Photo: Tupolev Tu-144 on Wikipedia (free licence)
- Top speed2,430 km/h (1,510 mph)
- Range6,500 km (4,039 miles)
- First flight1968
- Wingspan28.8 m (94 ft)
Tupolev Tu-144 specs
| Top speed | 2,430 km/h (1,510 mph) · Mach 2.29 |
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| Range | 6,500 km (4,039 miles) |
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| Length | 65.5 m (215 ft) |
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| Wingspan | 28.8 m (94 ft) |
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| Max takeoff weight | 207 t (456,352 lb) |
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| Crew and capacity | Up to 140 passengers |
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| Engines | 4 × afterburning turbofan |
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| First flight | 1968 |
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| Entered service | 1977Mail and freight flights began in 1975, passenger service in 1977. |
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| Built by | Tupolev (USSR) |
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Tupolev Tu-144 facts
- The first supersonic airliner to fly, beating Concorde by about two months.
- Small retractable canards behind the cockpit helped it fly slowly.
Quick quiz
When did the Tupolev Tu-144 first fly?
In 1968.
Who built the Tupolev Tu-144?
Tupolev, in USSR.
How fast can the Tupolev Tu-144 fly?
Its top speed is 2,430 km/h (1,510 mph) · Mach 2.29.
How far can the Tupolev Tu-144 fly?
About 6,500 km (4,039 miles).
Photos, a true-scale silhouette, quizzes, flashcards, the Size Lab and the Sky Run game.
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