Myasishchev M-55 (Mystic) High-Altitude Reconnaissance (2024)

High-Altitude Reconnaissance / Scientific Research Aircraft

Soviet Union | 1978

"The Myasishchev M-55 Mystic was developed as a high-altitude reconnaissance platform similar in mission scope to the American Lockheed U-2 series."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 05/21/2016 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The Myasishchev M-55 (NATO codename of "Mystic") was originally developed to counter the cold War-eras threat posed by American high-altitude reconnaissance balloons launched into Soviet and Chinese airspace during the 1950s and 1960s. The original program begat the "Subject 34" aircraft of which only one was built. This aircraft was eventually evolved along two lines further into its career, resulting in the M-17 "Stratosphera" ("Mystic-A") "balloon destroyer" / reconnaissance platform and the M-55 "Geophysica ("Mystic-B") high-altitude reconnaissance and research platform. Two of the former were produced and five of the latter with the last aircraft arriving in 1994.

Enemy balloons could be released in allied airspace by the enemy and drift over Soviet territories. As they were powerless, carried about by the current, there were little, if any, telltale signs of their operation. Unless spotted visibly and intercepted, the balloons could cross the country and deliver critical reconnaissance information. As such, Subject 34 was envisioned with and armament of 2 x 23mm GSh-23 cannons (fitted to a dorsal turret) and provision for 2 x Air-to-Air Missiles (AAMs) to engage these targets as a balloon interceptor. However, when the American satellite program improved to the point that these balloons were no longer necessary, there proved little need for evolving the Subject 34 product. At any rate, the prototype was lost in a crash after conducting taxi tests during December of 1978.

Another offshoot of the design was pushed through for the reconnaissance role similar in mission scope to the American Lockheed U-2 spyplane. This aircraft was given a revised airframe and carried a single Rybinsk / Kolesov RD-36-51V series turbojet engine developed from the Tupolev 144 supersonic jet airliner's propulsion unit. A prototype achieved first-flight on May 26th, 1982 and was given the designation of M-17 "Stratosphera" in Soviet service. Once acknowledged by the West, the NATO codename became "Mystic-A". Besides setting a dozen aircraft records, this design also went on to serve in scientific research roles.

M-17 was itself modified to become the "M-17RN" high-altitude reconnaissance platform and, later, finalized as the M-55 "Geophysica". A first-flight in prototype form occurred on August 16th, 1988 and this fuselage differed in being longer than the original. Additionally, the single engine installation was given up in favor of a twin-engine, side-by-side approach - these being 2 x Soloviev D-30-10V turbofans. The wingspan of the mainplanes was reduced and there was improved support for onboard mission equipment (mainly sensors).

Again the series set about rewriting the aviation record books as the M-55 secured no fewer than fifteen of its own for its time in the air. To better train incoming pilots on the intricacies of this unique aircraft, a tandem two-seat version was also developed as the "M-55UTS". Like theM-17 before it, the M-55 went on to conduct scientific work itself and remains in active service as of this writing. A more advanced version was proposed as the "Geophysica 2" but not followed up on.

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Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one aircraft design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Myasishchev M-55 (Mystic-B) High-Altitude Reconnaissance / Scientific Research Aircraft.

2 x Soloviev D-30-V12 non-afterburning turbofan engines developing 20,950 lb of thrust each.
Propulsion

206 mph
332 kph | 179 kts
Max Speed

70,538 ft
21,500 m | 13 miles
Service Ceiling

3,107 miles
5,000 km | 2,700 nm
Operational Range

1,970 ft/min
600 m/min
Rate-of-Climb

City-to-City Ranges
Operational range when compared to distances between major cities (in KM).

NYC

LON

PAR

BER

MOS

TOK

SYD

LAX

NYC

Structure
The nose-to-tail, wingtip-to-wingtip physical qualities of the Myasishchev M-55 (Mystic-B) High-Altitude Reconnaissance / Scientific Research Aircraft.

1
(MANNED)
Crew

74.8 ft
22.80 m
O/A Length

122.9 ft
(37.46 m)
O/A Width

15.7 ft
(4.80 m)
O/A Height

30,865 lb
(14,000 kg)
Empty Weight

44,092 lb
(20,000 kg)
MTOW

Design Balance
The three qualities reflected below are altitude, speed, and range. The more full the box, the more balanced the design.

RANGE

ALT

SPEED

Armament
Available supported armament and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the Myasishchev M-55 (Mystic) High-Altitude Reconnaissance / Scientific Research Aircraft .

Subject 34 (Proposed):
2 x 23mm GSh-23 cannons in dorsal turret
2 x Air-to-Air Missiles (AAMs)

M-17 / M-55:
No armament. Specialized data-collecting /research payload carried.

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Myasishchev M-55 (Mystic) family line.

Subject 34 - Original balloon destroyer model; single example produced; lost to accident.
M-17 "Stratosphera" ("Mystic-A") - Dedicated high-altitude reconnaissance variant; fitted with 1 x Kolesov RD-36-51 turbojet engine; 2 examples produced.
M-17RN - Original designation of M-55 series; lengthened fuselage; twin-engine configuration; improved payload capabilities; reduced wingspan.
M-55 "Geophysica" - Atmospheric research platform; fitted with 2 x Soloviev D-30-10V turbofan engines; five examples produced.
M-55UTS - Two-seat, dual-control trainer platform with tandem seating.
M-55 "Geophysica 2" - Proposed improved research platform; never built.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Myasishchev M-55 (Mystic). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national aircraft listing.

Total Production: 8 Units
Contractor(s): Myasishchev - Soviet Union

[ Russia; Soviet Union ]

Relative Max Speed

Hi: 300mph

Lo: 150mph

Aircraft Max Listed Speed (206mph).

Graph Average of 225 MPH.

Era Crossover

Showcasing Aircraft Era Crossover (if any)

Max Alt Visualization

Production Comparison

36183

44000

Entry compared against Ilyushin IL-2 (military) and Cessna 172 (civilian) total production.

MACH Regime (Sonic)

Sub

Trans

Super

Hyper

HiHyper

ReEntry

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Aviation Timeline

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WWI

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WWII

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Postwar

Modern

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Mission Roles
Some designs are single-minded in their approach while others offer a more versatile solution to airborne requirements.

RECONNAISSANCE

Recognition
Some designs stand the test of time while others are doomed to never advance beyond the drawing board; let history be their judge.

Going Further...
The Myasishchev M-55 (Mystic) High-Altitude Reconnaissance / Scientific Research Aircraft appears in the following collections:

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