The Diplomat:
The first prototype of Russia’s upgraded Tupolev Tu-22M3M long-range strategic and maritime strike bomber will be rolled out on August 16 with ground testing to begin shortly thereafter, according to Russian aerospace and defense company Tupolev.
Furthermore, the head of Tupolev, Alexander Konyukhov, recently told Interfax news agency that the maiden flight of the upgraded Tu-22M3M is scheduled to take place in the third quarter of 2018. The first upgraded bomber is expected to be delivered to the Russian Air Force this October.
The Tu-22 M3M is a supersonic variable-sweep wing bomber first introduced into service with the Soviet Air Force and Soviet Naval Aviation in the 1970s. Around 60 Tu-22M3M are currently in service with the Russian Air Force, about half of which remain permanently grounded and are not flightworthy.
