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Myasishchev M-50, M-52 ASCC codename: Bounder Strategic Bomber Prototypes |
DESCRIPTION:
Though it never entered service, the Myasishchev M-50 was a highly advanced design for a large, supersonic intercontinental bomber. The M-50 was considered top secret by Soviet leadership and very little is known about the project even today. The Myasishchev design bureau began work on the M-50 concept in 1956. The M-50 was designed to carry the long-range M-61 cruise missile also under development by Myasishchev at the time. A key element of the M-50 design was its engines, originally intended to be advanced powerful turbojets built by Zubets. Development problems delayed these engines, so the first M-50 prototype was instead equiped with less powerful VD-7 turbojets mounted two beneath the wing and one at each tip of the large cropped-delta wing. The long-slender fuselage provided accomodation for two or three crew members and a large weapons bay. The fuselage also incoporated the area-rule to reduce transonic drag. The first M-50 prototype, with its substitute engine installation, served as a technology demonstrator and was capable of a maximum speed of Mach 0.99. The second prototype, redesignated the M-52, was equipped with the more advanced engines that doubled the maximum speed to Mach 1.83. Despite this progress, the M-52 program failed to impress Soviet leaders who had become convinced that manned bombers were obsolescent following the development of ballistic missiles. As a result, the M-50/M-52 project was cancelled and the Myasishchev design bureau closed in 1960. A surviving example of the impressive M-50 is now on display at the Monino Aviation Museum in Moscow.
Last modified 19 September 2009
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HISTORY: | |
First Flight | 27 October 1959 |
Service Entry
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did not enter service
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CREW: |
two or three
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ESTIMATED COST:
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unknown
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AIRFOIL SECTIONS: | |
Wing Root | unknown |
Wing Tip
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unknown
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DIMENSIONS: | |
Length | 188.46 ft (57.48 m) |
Wingspan | 82.29 ft (25.10 m) |
Height | 27.05 ft (8.25 m) |
Wing Area | 3,125 ft² (290.6 m²) |
Canard Area
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not applicable
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WEIGHTS: | |
Empty | 187,390 lb (85,000 kg) |
Normal Takeoff | unknown |
Max Takeoff | 462,970 lb (210,000 kg) |
Fuel Capacity |
internal: unknown external: unknown |
Max Payload
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44,090 lb (20,000 kg)
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PROPULSION: | |
Powerplant | four Dobrynin VD-7B afterburning turbojets |
Thrust |
83,700 lb (372.33 kN)
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PERFORMANCE: | |
Max Level Speed |
at altitude: 1,215 mph (1,950 km/h), Mach 1.83 [M-52] at sea level: unknown cruise speed: 935 mph (1,500 km/h) |
Initial Climb Rate | unknown |
Service Ceiling | 54,100 ft (16,500 m) |
Range | 3,995 nm (7,400 km) |
g-Limits |
unknown
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ARMAMENT: | |
Gun | none (?) |
Stations | one internal weapons bay |
Air-to-Surface Missile | designed to carry the M-61 cruise missile |
Bomb | various nuclear and conventional bombs |
Other |
none
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KNOWN VARIANTS: | |
M-50 | First prototype used as a technology demonstrator |
M-52 |
Second prototype equipped with more powerful engines and a new tailplane arrangement
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KNOWN OPERATORS:
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Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Voyenno Vozdushniye Sili (Soviet Air Force)
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3-VIEW SCHEMATIC:
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