The Tu-144D, of which five were produced (plus one uncompleted), was powered by the Kolesov RD-36-51 turbojet with an SFC of 1.22 kg/kgp hr. The range with full payload increased to 5,330 km compared to 6,470 km for Concorde.

May 13, 2020 · On Sunday, June 3, 1973, the sky was bright with scattered clouds over the grounds of the Paris Air Show in Val-d’Oise. The stars of the show that year were two supersonic transport (SST) aircraft: the Anglo-French Con­corde and the Soviet Tupolev Tu-144.

May 16, 2024 · While Europe was busy working away on what it hoped would be the world's first supersonic airliner, the Soviets were preparing to pip them to the post. Nicknamed the 'Konkordski' due to its resemblance to the Anglo-French Concorde, the Tu-144 took its first flight on December 31, 1968, several months before its competitor.

After 1978 the aircraft production was made with this engine and the new model was called Tu-144D. The RD-36-51A was a turbojet engine with 2 fans and 14 compression areas. Thanks to a low Specific Fuel Consumption of 1.26 kg/hr the Tu-144D finally reached the foreseen range and desired performance for a SST.

Jul 10, 2019 · With just 55 completed flights and two fatal crashes, Concorde’s Soviet rival, the Tupolev Tu-144, was one of civil aviation’s biggest failures.

Tupolev Tu-144, world’s first supersonic transport aircraft, designed by the veteran Soviet aircraft designer Andrey N. Tupolev and his son Alexey. It was test-flown in December 1968, exceeded the speed of sound in June 1969, and was first publicly shown in Moscow in May 1970.

The Tu-144D was designed to carry up to 140 passengers, although earlier models used in actual passenger service were configured for only 100 seats. The Tu-144LL is constructed mostly of a light aluminum alloy. Titanium and stainless steel were used for the leading edges, elevons, rudder and under-surface of the rear fuselage.

Not known by many people, the Tupolev 144 was the world’s first supersonic transport aircraft (SST) just two months before Concorde. It was also the first SST to exceed Mach 2. Very similar in design to Concorde, allegations were often made that the Soviets had stolen Concords plans.

Note: assumed tariff 1st class for internal routes and economy tariff on international lines of Aeroflot.

By review of airframe structure, aircraft systems and equipment fuel load ratio was supposed to be increased. The new project was designated as Tu-144DA.