The development of the Tupolev Tu-128 supersonic interceptor aircraft with a large range of action began in the USSR in 1954. The plane was created on the basis of the Tu-98 bomber. The two-seated aircraft had a length of over 30 meters, and a wingspan of about 17 meters. With its own weight of 24 tons, the interceptor could take several tons of combat load on board. It was equipped with two turbo-jets AK-7F-2 engines with a total thrust of more than 20 tons. An important element of the aircraft was the new Smerch-100 radar system, capable of capturing enemy at distances of up to 50 km. The Tu-128 could be armed with four self-guided missiles of the R-4 series. The plane was capable of flying at speeds of up to 1,900 km/h over distances of up to 2,500 kilometers. The flight altitude could reach 15 km - not a single aircraft of this class could achieve that. The first prototype of the Tu-128 was built in the winter of 1960. It took off for the first time already in the spring of 1961. Its trials lasted for more than three years, and in 1965 the aircraft was passed into service. During eight years of serial production, 188 Tu-128 planes were built along with five modifications. Newer projects appeared as well - Tu-138 and Tu-148 that had improved flight characteristics. The aircraft was used in six aviation air defense units based in remote areas of the USSR. The Tu-128 had been used to intercept American aircraft. It had also shot down several reconnaissance balloons. The interceptor was in service for 25 years and was decommissioned only in 1990. Check more of our videos on our video channel http://www.youtube.com/user/PravdaTV Go to Pravda.Ru website to read articles that you can not read in Western publications http://www.pravdareport.com/