Myasishchev M-50 / M-52 (Bounder) Strategic Bomber Prototype (1959)
Even to this day, very little has been revealed about the Bounder series of intercontinental bomber.
The Bounder appeared in just two prototype forms. The initial one, designated as the M-50, was a technological demonstrator in which much research was garnered from. The secondary prototype in the series became the M-52 which featured uprated engines and an improved tail design. The M-50 was intended to feature a different engine alignment than what was later seen, but developmental setbacks with the powerplants forced engineers to incorporate a less efficient and poorer performance array of four low-thrust engines mounted in a distinct layout - with two serving underwing and two mounted to each wingtip.
Design of the M-50 was quite traditional, featuring a long and slender fuselage, high-mounted delta-type wings and a forward-mounted cockpit. The tail was of a standard design with a single vertical tail surface. Armament for the system was to center around the delivery of the M-61 cruise missile though the aircraft was equally capable of delivering conventional and nuclear-tipped bombs as well thanks to its large payload bay. Though unclear from available sources, it is assumed that the system was to be crewed by two personnel, as attention to automation was a priority in design of the M-50.
With the boom on ballistic missiles as the future of global warfare, the need for such a supersonic presence no longer made any sense. As a result, interest in the Bounder project ended. The cancellation of the project effectively spelled doom for the Myasishchev company, which would close its doors by 1960. Only the first Bounder prototype has survived, being put on display at the Monino Aviation Museum in Moscow, Russia. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
Myasishchev M-50 / M-52 (Bounder)
Strategic Bomber Prototype
Country of Origin: Soviet Union
Manufacturer: Myasishchev - Soviet Union
Initial Year of Service: 1959
Production: 2
Focus Model: Myasishchev M-50 (Bounder)
Crew: 2
Length: 188.58ft (57.48m)
Width: 82.35ft (25.10m)
Height: 27.07ft (8.25m)
Weight (Empty): 187,393lbs (85,000kg)
Weight (MTOW): 462,971lbs (210,000kg)
Powerplant: 4 x Dobrynin VD-7B turbojet engines delivering 83,700lbs of thrust with afterburner.
Maximum Speed: 932mph (1,500kmh; 810kts)
Maximum Range: 4,598miles (7,400km)
Service Ceiling: 54,134ft (16,500m; 10.3miles)
Rate-of-Climb: 0 feet per minute (0m/min)
Hardpoints: 0
Armament Suite:
Various air-to-surface systems including cruise missiles (M-61 type). Other munitions were to include nuclear and conventional bombs bombs.
Variants:
M-50 - Initial Prototype Model Designation; developmental demonstrator.
M-52 - Second Prototype Model Designation; improved engine output; new tailplane assembly.
Operators: Soviet Union
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