Myasishchev M-4 / 3M (Bison)

History

The Myazishchev M-4 (NATO codename "Bison") is designed to provide a long-range jet-powered maritime reconnaissance platform with a secondary strategic bombing role capable of striking targets in North America. At the end of its useful life, the metal-clad aircraft will receive extended service as a dedicated carrier tanker and missile delivery platform. Two prototypes were eventually realized before some 91 production aircraft followed. Since the M-4 was retired in the mid-1990s, it certainly surprised Western observers during the turbulent years of the Cold War, as its capabilities, like many other secret systems of Soviet origin, were reportedly overstated.

However, unlike other Soviet products of the time, the M-4 series was never exported to allies or satellite states beyond its home borders, nor was it used in combat operations.

The short-lived Myasishchev focus was created by Vladimir Myasishchev in 1951 for the M-4 strategic bomber program. The company added several other designs and concepts during its active years, most notably the four-engine supersonic M-50 "Border" series produced in 1959, of which only two existed.

Another interesting addition was the M-55 high-altitude reconnaissance and research aircraft, which mimicked the scope of the U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance platform in the United States, essentially becoming the end product and legacy of Myasishchev. It was not officially dissolved until 1960.

The M-4 was originally born as the Izdeliye ("Product M")/SDB ("Strategicheskiy Dahl'niy Bombardirovschik") program name. The first production aircraft, simply referred to as the "M-4", consisted of two prototypes, followed by 35 production-quality airframes. These received the NATO reporting designation "Bison-A".

The M-4 aircraft were subsequently converted to the M-4-2 for aerial refueling (while retaining their Bison-A NATO designation). The 3M designation was reserved for "upgraded" M4 models with upgraded Dobrynin VD-7 engines (later to become NATO "Bison-B"). The 3M-5 was similarly upgraded with a new Dobrynin VD-7 engine and support for the KSR-5 air-to-surface missile (aka Bison-B). 3MD is a 1960 improved cruise missile carrier with new search radar capabilities and received the NATO reporting designation "Bison-C". The 3ME is a one-off 3M production model with updated avionics and radar (Bison-B).

The 3MS-1 is a new generation Bison with a specific bomber role and a Mikulin RD-3M or AM-3A (NATO Bison-B) engine. The 3MS-2 is an aerial refueling platform powered by Mikulin engines. The new engines welcome the designation 3MN-1 long-range bomber and 3MN-2. The base engine of the 3MSR-1 features improved avionics. The cargo variant is thought to be the VM-T and is primarily used to shuttle the Blizzard capsule.

Designation M-6 approved modified 3M aircraft (also NATO Bison-A).

The M-4 airframe was eventually abandoned by the various arms limitation treaties and advances in missile technology that emerged in the 1980s, leaving only a small fraction of the existing museum collection. The Soviet Navy and Air Force became operators of this type throughout their service.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes