There are aircraft that are not created for serial production — they are needed to test the limits of what is possible. Many developments of the V.M. Myasishchev Experimental Machine-Building Plant became such. In June of this year, the enterprise celebrated its 60th anniversary. Its first general designer was the outstanding Soviet aircraft designer, Hero of Socialist Labor, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, Major General of the Engineering and Aviation Service Vladimir Myasishchev, who led the enterprise until his death in October 1978.
An aircraft that could defeat the enemy with a single sonic boom
One of the most unusual projects of the Myasishchev Design Bureau was the M-25 special-purpose attack aircraft. Its idea seemed almost fantastic: to use not a missile or a bomb, but the very energy of supersonic flight.
When an aircraft breaks the sound barrier, a powerful shock wave occurs. Engineers suggested that its force could be turned into a new means of destruction.
Studies showed that a supersonic aircraft flying close to the ground could create a shock wave with a pressure differential of 500–1000 kgf/m². The possibility that such an impact could be fatal to living organisms was considered. It turned out to be a weapon whose destructive power was compared to nuclear weapons.
But along with the unusual idea came huge problems. The aircraft would experience colossal air resistance, intense heating of the structure, and a dangerous phenomenon — buffeting, when aerodynamic loads cause chaotic vibrations of machine parts.
The Myasishchev OKB prepared several aircraft variants weighing from 20 to 160 tons. Calculations showed that the machine could reach a speed of about 1050 km/h at an altitude of only 25 meters. But the technologies of that time did not allow the project to be realized in metal.
An aircraft that was supposed to hunt for "spies" in the stratosphere
After the appearance of the MiG-25P, the Soviet Union gained protection against American high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft U-2/TR-1 and the supersonic SR-71 "Blackbird". But soon a new problem arose — reconnaissance balloons that freely moved in the upper layers of the atmosphere.
Ordinary aircraft were not suitable for this task. At high altitudes, the air is too thin, and high speed was not needed: the balloons simply drifted with air currents.
To solve this problem, the Myasishchev OKB created the M-17, which received the unofficial name "Stratosphere". The machine made its first flight on May 26, 1982. Test pilot Eduard Cheltsov took the aircraft into the air.
The main secret of the M-17 was its unique wing. Together with TsAGI, specialists developed a new supercritical profile that provided high aerodynamic quality at high altitudes.
The aircraft could glide from an altitude of 1 km for a distance of up to 25 km. In 1990, the M-17 set 25 world records for altitude, speed, and rate of climb.
A reconnaissance aircraft that climbed to where there is almost no air
The next stage was the high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft M-55. Outwardly, it was similar to the M-17, but structurally it was a completely new machine. One engine was replaced by two PS-30V12 turbofan engines, the fuselage was changed, and reconnaissance equipment was installed.
The aircraft successfully passed tests and was recommended for production. In 1988, the first machine left the assembly shop of the Smolensk Aviation Plant. A total of four M-55 units were built. In September 1993, the aircraft set 18 world records.
The civilian version was named "Geofizika". It was used to study the Earth's ozone layer, and later a flying laboratory was created on its basis to study the upper layers of the atmosphere.
"Gzhel": a small aircraft that could have become a Russian business airliner
In 1989, the OKB of the plant began developing its first civilian aircraft — the M-101T "Gzhel". This was a light multi-purpose aircraft designed to carry six passengers. It could be used as an administrative, cargo-passenger, sanitary, training aircraft, or a "flying taxi".
The robust landing gear allowed landings even on unprepared sites, and modern equipment ensured flights in various weather conditions.
The first flight took place on March 31, 1995. A total of 26 aircraft were built — four prototypes and 22 production models.
A project completed by India
Another unusual development was the M-102 "Duet". Initially, the aircraft was created as a VIP machine "Dolphin" for carrying four passengers. Its main feature was two engines with pusher propellers located in the tail section.
Russian airlines showed no interest in the project, but in 1993, India became interested. An agreement on joint work was signed. In Russia, the project was named M-102 "Duet", and in India — LTA-14 Saras.
However, due to lack of funding, Russia withdrew from the program. The Indian side continued development and in 2005 launched an aircraft that turned out to be almost a complete analogue of the Russian project.
"Flying Tractor": an aircraft that was supposed to work instead of ground equipment
In 1995, the EMZ developed the M-500 agricultural aircraft project. It was created as a specialized machine for field processing and forest protection. In addition, the aircraft could be used for cargo transportation, patrolling, sanitary tasks, aerial photography, and training.
The M-500 received good characteristics, but no funds were found for further development and launch of production. Later, the development of drones changed the very approach to agricultural aviation.
Amphibian for the North: an aircraft that could land almost anywhere
Another promising project was the "Yamal" amphibious aircraft. It was created for transportation in hard-to-reach areas where conventional aviation is often powerless.
The machine was a flying boat with retractable landing gear and could carry up to 18 passengers. The power plant was especially unusual: the engines were located inside the fuselage, and the propeller was in the tail section.
The first prototype was planned to be built in 1996, but the economic crisis halted the project.
Space Tourist: when an aircraft was supposed to open the way to space
One of the boldest projects was the S-XXI apparatus, created in 2002. This was a project for a reusable suborbital shuttle for space tourism.
The apparatus was supposed to deliver two passengers and one pilot to an altitude of approximately 100 kilometers — to the edge of space. Outwardly, it resembled a reduced version of the Soviet "Buran".
The launch was planned to be carried out from the M-55 "Geofizika" carrier aircraft. At an altitude of about 17 kilometers, the shuttle was supposed to separate, turn on its engine, and independently enter a suborbital trajectory.
After a few minutes at the edge of space, the apparatus was supposed to return to Earth and land like a conventional aircraft. But the project remained at the development stage.
Myasishchev's Legacy: aircraft that looked beyond their time
Many machines created under the leadership of Vladimir Myasishchev never went into serial production. However, these projects allowed testing future technologies — new wing designs, materials, engines, and approaches to aviation.
Today, the V.M. Myasishchev Experimental Machine-Building Plant is part of Rostec. In particular, it is part of JSC "Il" of the United Aircraft Corporation.