Operational history Tupolev Tu-144

1 operational history

1.1 operational service
1.2 later use
1.3 use nasa

operational history
operational service

tu-144 distinctive droop-nose @ maks-2007 exhibition

the tu-144s went service on 26 december 1975, flying mail , freight between moscow , alma-ata in preparation passenger services, commenced on 1 november 1977.

the passenger service ran semi-scheduled service until first tu-144d experienced in-flight failure during pre-delivery test flight, crash-landing on 23 may 1978 2 crew fatalities. tu-144 s 55th , last scheduled passenger flight occurred on 1 june 1978.

an aeroflot freight-only service recommenced using new production variant tu-144d ( d dal nyaya – long range ) aircraft on 23 june 1979, including longer routes moscow khabarovsk made possible more efficient kolesov rd-36-51 turbojet engines, increased maximum cruising speed mach 2.15.

including 55 passenger flights, there 102 scheduled flights before cessation of commercial service.

later use

the tu-144ll used nasa carry out research high speed civil transport

the tu-144 programme cancelled soviet government decree on 1 july 1983 provided future use of remaining tu-144 aircraft airborne laboratories. in 1985, tu-144d used train pilots soviet buran space shuttle. in 1986–1988 tu-144d no. 77114, built in 1981, used medical , biological research of high-altitude atmosphere radiological conditions. further research planned not completed, due lack of funding.

tu-144ll in flight


use nasa

in 1990s, wealthy businesswoman, judith depaul, , company ibp aerospace negotiated agreement tupolev, nasa, rockwell , later boeing. offered tu-144 testbed high speed commercial research program, intended design second-generation supersonic jetliner called high speed civil transport. in 1995, tu-144d no. 77114 (with 82.5 hours of flight time) taken out of storage , after extensive modification @ cost of us$350 million, designated tu-144ll (where ll russian abbreviation flying laboratory, russian: letayuschaya laboratoriya, Летающая Лаборатория). aircraft made 27 flights during 1996 , 1997. though regarded technical success, project cancelled lack of funding in 1999.

this aircraft reportedly sold in june 2001 $11m via on-line auction, aircraft sale did not proceed. tejavia systems, company handling transaction, reported in september 2003 deal not signed replacement kuznetsov nk-321 engines tupolev tu-160 bomber military hardware , russian government not allow them exported.

in 2003, after retirement of concorde, there renewed interest several wealthy individuals wanted use tu-144ll transatlantic record attempt, despite high cost of flight readiness overhaul if military authorities authorize use of nk-321 engines outside russian federation airspace.

the last 2 aircraft remain in gromov flight research institute in zhukovsky, nos. 77114 (the tu-144ll) , 77115. in march 2006, reported both aircraft preserved, 1 erected on pedestal near zhukovsky city council or above gromov flight research institute entrance tupolev avenue.