Myasishchev Design Bureau
Myasishchev M-50
The Myasishchev M‑50 “Bounder” was a Soviet experimental strategic bomber developed by the Myasishchev Design Bureau in the late 1950s as a direct response to the United States’ emerging supersonic bomber concepts. Its first flight took place on 10 July 1959, and the program produced only two prototypes before being cancelled in 1962 due to escalating costs and the shift toward missile‑based deterrence.
Key features of the M‑50 included a sleek, swept‑wing layout and four powerful NK‑6 (later NK‑88) turbo‑jet engines, each delivering roughly 95 kN of thrust with afterburner capability. The aircraft was designed for sustained Mach 2.5 flight at altitudes near 20 km and could carry a payload of up to 30 tonnes, encompassing conventional bombs, nuclear weapons, and later, a proposed air‑launched cruise missile. Advanced avionics, a fully pressurised cabin, and a semi‑monocoque aluminium alloy structure were incorporated to support high‑speed, high‑altitude operations.
Although the M‑50 never entered service, its development yielded valuable data on high‑Mach aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials that informed later Soviet projects such as the Tu‑144 and various strategic missile platforms. The aircraft remains a notable illustration of Cold‑War era ambition, marking Myasishchev’s capacity to tackle cutting‑edge aerospace challenges.
Key features of the M‑50 included a sleek, swept‑wing layout and four powerful NK‑6 (later NK‑88) turbo‑jet engines, each delivering roughly 95 kN of thrust with afterburner capability. The aircraft was designed for sustained Mach 2.5 flight at altitudes near 20 km and could carry a payload of up to 30 tonnes, encompassing conventional bombs, nuclear weapons, and later, a proposed air‑launched cruise missile. Advanced avionics, a fully pressurised cabin, and a semi‑monocoque aluminium alloy structure were incorporated to support high‑speed, high‑altitude operations.
Although the M‑50 never entered service, its development yielded valuable data on high‑Mach aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials that informed later Soviet projects such as the Tu‑144 and various strategic missile platforms. The aircraft remains a notable illustration of Cold‑War era ambition, marking Myasishchev’s capacity to tackle cutting‑edge aerospace challenges.
Classification
Production & History
- Units Produced
- 2
- First Flight
- 1959
Design & Classification
- Manufacturer
- Myasishchev Design Bureau
- Developer
- Myasishchev Design Bureau
- NATO Name
- Bounder
- Engine
- Dobrynin RD-7
- Operator
-
Soviet Air Forces
- Wikidata ID
- Q1142353