M-50 Bounder Strategical bomber

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At July 9, 1961 over the airport at Tushino (during a military parade), in a low pass and at a fast speed, a big and unusual aircraft suddenly appeared which performed a swift climb while the accompanying MiG-21 could hardly stay at its tail. Its appearance and the spectacular acrobatics of this beautiful aircraft caused great excitement to from the viewers. Immediately the cameras of the western press journalists went hot! The very next day the images of this aircraft hit the first pages of the world newspapers. With this show, the heavy supersonic bombers era started...

Yet, at the time, no one knew that this was actually the last flight of this supersonic aircraft, the M-50. The termination of the program was a decision of the political leaders of the country, who believed that missiles alone could resolve any political or military conflict.

Brief technical description of experimental long-range bomber M-50A.

Many innovations were materialized in the M-50 bomber which was an advanced aircraft for the 50's.

Experimental aircraft M-50A. Intended primarily for various tests, like aerodynamic, component, powerplant and radio electro-technical systems and special equipment of the strategic bomber. This is a four-engine, full-metal construction, high wing aircraft with triangular wing and retractable landing type "bicycle."

Fuselage. It's of circular cross section with a length of 57 m and 2,9 m. The fuselage is divided into five technology divisions: F1 - front nose, F2 - cockpit, F3 - bunkers, F4 - middle part of the vessel and F5 - tail-piece.

The propulsion system consists of 4 turbojet engines, two VD-7A at the wingtips, without afterburn and two VD-7MA internal engines with afterburn. This engine was developed from the engineer Vladimir Dobrynin, especially for bombers like the M-4 Bison and later the 3M series. The engine was produced in small numbers. A specially modified version equipped the biggest ekranoplane of the world, the KM-1 (of the Alekseev design bureau). The production started at the beginning of the 50's, initially called VD-7, later RD-7 and was terminated in 1956.

VD-7B. Improved version with increased reliability and service life. It was equipping bombers and air-tankers of the 3Μ series. RD-7M. Developed by Ρ.Α. Kolesov and installed on planes like the Tu-22 Blinder.

Wing. Double delta shaped with a sweep angle of 57 degrees. The “V” angle of the wing is -3 degrees. The wing has slats, flaps, carries the engine pylons, the fuel tanks and the landing gear with small dimensions wheels at the wing tips, for better stability. At the upper part there are air breaks. It is made of aluminum alloy V-95 and the main beam of 30XGSNA steel.

Tail wing. Swept with full moving horizontal and vertical wings with a sweep angle of 54 degrees. 

Landing system. This is a classic bicycle type system with a four-point support, with four main legs of big dimensions (1.300x380V mm, the front wheels don't have a breaking system) and two small stabilizing legs with dimensions of 520x125 V mm and no breaking system at the wing tips.

Break parachute. It consists of three individual parachutes of a combined surface of 216 m². It is activated the moment the wheels touch the corridor. The parachute is installed in a cylindrical container at the aft of the fuselage.

Navigational equipment. It consists of a complete navigation and targeting system KSB-1 and other instruments. The KSB-1 provides the navigation to the aircraft and the weapon control as well, over sea or land, under any weather conditions, even in presence of counter-measures. 

The system has the following subparts:
Navigation system KS-6B
Velocity and height meter TSSVS-25/2500 with a VB-52 data computer
Gyroscope TsGV-10
Automated navigation system ΝΑ
Navigational unit “Put”
Automated bombing system BA
Radar SBR-50
Astronomical navigator ZSO

Among the remaining equipment, there are an automated radio-compass ARK-54B, radio link of course and height KRP-F and GRP-2, and a radio-altimeter RV-25. The aircraft is equipped with the “blind landing” system “Materik”.

Telecommunication systems. Designed for both aircraft and ground and also the inter-crew communications, consists of: the long range radio-communications “Planet” unit, which includes the coding unit “Quartz”, RSIU-4B “Dub” type VHF, a “Gelii” transmitter-receiver, and the inter-communications SPU-6 system.

Radar. Combines the aircraft control with the weapons control.

Consists of:
Radar SBR-50 (which is part of the KSB-1 system)
The IFF system (friend or foe) consists of the transmitter “Cink-MM”, the receiver “Kremny” and the radar warning receiver “Sirena-2”.

The oxygen equipment provides the crew with adequate oxygen, especially when the pressure falls under the equivalent of a height of 3000 m and in emergency cases. It provides of aviation type oxygen SKG-15 (2 units) and consists of oxygen providing system, permanent installed oxygen equipment KP-40 (2 units), parachute oxygen providing KP-27M (2 units) and control units.

Emergency system. The aircraft is equipped with ejecting seats, which eject downwards, (the entry was done from two separated doors which open downwards).

Weapons. The recommended weapons include nuclear and hydrogen bombs.

Three-view drawing

Technical specifications

Photos M-50 Bounder