Myasishchev M-17

The Myasishchev M-17 is a high‑altitude, long‑range transport aircraft developed by the Myasishchev Design Bureau in the early 1990s to replace aging Soviet heavy‑lift platforms. Its design originated from the earlier M‑12 experimental program, where engineers refined a swept‑wing, pressurized fuselage capable of operating from unpaved airfields at altitudes up to 12 000 meters. First flown on 28 April 1992, the M‑17 demonstrated a maximum payload of 25 tonnes, a cruise speed of 800 km/h, and a range exceeding 7 000 km with full load, thanks to its efficient turbofan engines and lightweight composite structures. The aircraft features a rear‑loading ramp, a fully pressurized cabin for crew comfort, and advanced avionics that support all‑weather navigation and autonomous flight control. Although only a limited series was produced before the dissolution of the post‑Soviet aerospace market, the M‑17 proved the viability of a versatile, high‑altitude transport capable of strategic cargo, troop deployment, and medical evacuation missions. Its technological innovations influenced later Russian transport designs, cementing Myasishchev’s reputation for pioneering aerodynamic efficiency and operational flexibility in military and civil aviation. The M‑17 also served as a testbed for future high‑altitude reconnaissance variants, underscoring its lasting impact on Russian aerospace engineering.

Myasishchev Design Bureau

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