Myasishchev M-55

OKB Myasishchev

Industry	Aerospace
Founded	1950s or earlier
Headquarters	Soviet Union / Russia
Products	Aircraft (including Myasishchev M-55)

The Myasishchev M-55 (NATO reporting name: Mystic-B) is a Soviet-developed high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft created by OKB Myasishchev. It performs a similar role to the Lockheed U-2 but features a distinctive twin-boom fuselage and tail configuration. This aircraft is an evolution of the Myasishchev M-17 Stratosphera, incorporating twin engines and designed to support a greater maximum takeoff weight.

Design and development

Main articles: Project Skyhook, Project Mogul, Project Moby Dick, and Project Genetrix

In the decades spanning the 1950s and 1960s, the United States launched multiple initiatives involving high-altitude reconnaissance balloons. These balloons were deployed over allied territories to ascend into the jet stream, allowing them to drift over regions including the Soviet Union and People's Republic of China.

Subject 34

To counter these balloon reconnaissance efforts, Myasishchev developed the concept known as Subject 34, a single-seat, turbojet-powered aircraft with twin booms and high aspect ratio wings. This balloon interceptor was intended to be armed with two air-to-air missiles alongside two GSh-23 cannons mounted in a dorsal turret, each supplied with 600 rounds. However, before Subject 34 could advance to operational status, the threat diminished due to the success of the Keyhole reconnaissance satellites under the Corona program and the introduction of the Lockheed A-12.

The initial Subject 34 prototype was secretly assembled at the helicopter manufacturing facility in Kumertau, Bashkirya. During taxi trials in December 1978, pilot K. V. Chernobrovkin inadvertently took off to avoid snowbanks but crashed into a hillside under zero visibility conditions, resulting in the destruction of the prototype named Chaika.

M-17 Stratosphera

File:Myasishchev M-17 CCCP-17103.jpg

Myasishchev M-17 Stratosphera CCCP-17103 at Monino

The Chaika design was modified into a reconnaissance platform, resulting in the Myasishchev M-17 Stratosphera. This variant featured an updated airframe with straight, tapered wings exhibiting 2° 30' anhedral (0° under 1g conditions), a shortened fuselage pod, and was powered by an unreheated (non-afterburning) Kolesov RD-36-51 turbojet engine. The M-17 prototype (registration CCCP 17401) first took to the skies on 26 May 1982. It was soon assigned the NATO codename Mystic-A and played a role in ozone layer research over Antarctica during 1992.

Throughout its operational history, the M-17 established 12 FAI world records, with five records remaining unbroken to this day. On 28 March 1990, the aircraft registered as CCCP 17401, piloted by Vladimir V. Arkhipenko, achieved an altitude record of 21,830 m (71,620 ft) in the C-1i class (Landplanes with take-off weights between 16,000 and 20,000 kg).

M-55 Geophysica

Following the discontinuation of the M-17 balloon-interceptor variant in 1987, it was succeeded by the M-17RN, which later became known as the M-55 Geophysica and received the NATO reporting name Mystic-B. The M-55's maiden flight occurred on 16 August 1988. This model incorporated further airframe modifications including an elongated fuselage pod accommodating two unreheated Soloviev D-30-10V turbofan engines, reduced wingspan, and an extensive suite of sensors.

The M-55 holds 15 FAI world records to date, all still standing. On 21 September 1993, Victor Vasenkov from the 8th State R&D Institute of the Air Force named after V. P. Chkalov at Akhtubinsk piloted an M-55 to reach a class altitude record of 21,360 m (70,080 ft) in category C-1j (Landplanes with take-off weights between 20,000 to 25,000 kg (44,000 to 55,000 lb)).

A variant equipped with dual controls, designated the M-55UTS, was developed by installing a second cockpit behind the original one, necessitating relocation of some avionics and sensor equipment.

Several M-55 Geophysica aircraft remained active into the 1990s primarily for scientific research missions. One participated in Arctic stratosphere studies during 1996–1997, while similar investigations were conducted over Antarctica in 1999.

An Ireland-based firm named Qucomhaps, focusing on Southeast Asian markets, has secured a $1 billion contract to utilize the M-55 as a high-altitude platform station for digital communication services.

Service history

As of 2023, the UK Ministry of Defence assesses that Russia is attempting to restore the sole operational M-55 aircraft for deployment in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Variants

Subject 34

This was the prototype for a high-altitude balloon interceptor, known as Chaika (Gull), which was secretly developed at the Kumertau helicopter facility located in Bashkirya.

M-17 Stratosphera

A reconnaissance adaptation of Subject 34, assigned the NATO reporting name Mystic-A, equipped with a single Kolesov RD-36-51 turbojet engine. At least two units of the M-17 were constructed.

M-17RN

The original designation for the aircraft that evolved into the M-55.

M-55 Geophysica

An enhanced derivative of the M-17 featuring two Soloviev D-30-10V non-afterburning turbofan engines and outfitted with diverse sensors designed for Earth science research. A total of five M-55s were produced, including one M-55UTS.

M-55Sh

A conceptual ground attack model that was never realized.

M-55UTS

A trainer variant of the M-55 featuring dual controls and a second cockpit positioned behind the primary one, which reduced some avionics and sensor equipment but remained otherwise identical to the standard M-55.

Geophysica 2

An envisioned, more sophisticated Earth science research platform based on the M-55, which did not proceed to production.

Operators

Template:USSR

• Soviet Air Force

Template:RUS

• Russian Aerospace Forces

Specifications (M-55)

File:Myasishchev M-55 Geophysica 3 views.svg

External links

• Image gallery on russianplanes.net Archived 18 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine
• Photo collection at airliners.net Archived 13 March 2008 at the Wayback Machine
• The Soviet Air Force’s Most Unusual Adversary Archived 17 September 2023 at the Wayback Machine, YouTube