Development of front-line bomber Tu-2 began in 1940 prototype (“103”) built with two engines AM-37. The first flight took place in January 1941 On it during the tests managed to get the settings close to the fighters of those years, but the air force demanded to accommodate the pilot and Navigator in a cabin-type German Ju 88 and mounted under a wing brake grids. The new four-seater has received the designation “103У”. Due to the outbreak of the war she remained in the experimental instance.
In December 1941 began testing the bomber “103B” – cooled engine M-82. In 1942, built 79 bombers, which received the designation Tu-2. In July 1943, a plane mounted engines AL-82FN and performed a number of modifications, improving its flight data. Machine received the designation Tu-2S and 1944 were built in series. On its base was created a long-range bomber the Tu-2D, torpedo bomber, the Tu-2T and other options. Total built 2296 machines of different modifications.