Myasishchev M-55

M-55 Geophysica
Myasishchev M-55 Geophysica at MAKS Airshow 2001
General information
TypeHigh-altitude reconnaissance
ManufacturerMyasishchev
StatusPotentially returning to service[1]
Primary usersSoviet Air Force
Number builtSubject 34: 1[2]
M-17: at least 2
M-55: 5
History
First flightSubject 34: December 1978[2]
M-17: 26 May 1982
M-55: 16 August 1988

The Myasishchev M-55 (NATO reporting name: Mystic-B) is a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft[3] developed by OKB Myasishchev in the Soviet Union, similar in mission to the Lockheed ER-2, but with a twin-boom fuselage and tail surface design. It is a twin-engined development of the Myasishchev M-17 Stratosphera with a higher maximum take-off weight.

  1. ^ Newdick, Thomas (21 November 2023). "Soviet-Era M-55 Spy Plane May Be Headed To Support The War In Ukraine". The War Zone. Recurrent Ventures. Retrieved 22 November 2023.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ a b Gordon, Yefim; Bill Gunston OBE FRAeS (2000). Soviet X-planes. Leicester: Midland Publishing. pp. 136–139. ISBN 1-85780-099-0.
  3. ^ "Myasischev M-55 Geophysica Reconnaissance Aircraft | Military-Today.com". www.military-today.com. Archived from the original on 14 June 2021. Retrieved 14 June 2021.