Myasischev

M-17 MYSTIC

The M-17 is a single-jet-engined high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft with high-aspect-ratio wings and a twin-boom tail. The aircraft was first reported in the West in 1982 as the RAM-M, being operated from what was then known as the Ramenskoye flight test centre, now knwon as Zhukovsky.The M-17 is believed to be powered by a Lotarev D-18T or Soloviev PS-90A turbofan.

M-55

Myasischev's two-engined derivative of the M-17 Mystic, the M-55, was designed to a Soviet air force strategic-reconnaissance specification and is powered by two non-afterburning Soloviev PS-30-V12s, supplying 49kN each.

The engine is a derivative of the D-30-F6 used in the MiG-31 Foxhound with the combustion chamber and turbine modification for subsonic, high altitude flight.

The high-aspect-ratio wing has a lift/drag ratio better than 19:1. The aircraft can thus glide 200km from 66,000ft.

Testing of the complete surveillance set finished by 1993.

Source: Flight International