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Retired

How the Tu-144D fits into the Tu-144 story

Tu-144D is a retired member of the Tupolev Tu-144 family, known for the later development branch most often referenced in the program’s mature technical discussion.

The Tu-144D earned a distinct place in the Tupolev Tu-144 family story through its engines, seating, range, service entry, and the missions operators chose it to fly.

Service entry

1978

Seating

120 to 140

Range

3,500 nm

Variant history

Why it branches from the family

The Tu-144D stands out within the Tupolev Tu-144 family because it captures the later development branch most often referenced in the program’s mature technical discussion.

It entered service in 1978 with Kolesov RD-36-51A engines, typical seating for 120 to 140, and published range of about 3,500 nautical miles.

Fact rows

Reference snapshot

Engines
Kolesov RD-36-51A
Type data
Service entry
1978
Operator records
Typical seating
120 to 140
Operator layouts
Range
3,500 nm
Planning data

Return to the family page

Return to the family history for the wider program story, then compare this version with the other models that carried the design into different markets and missions.