Tsybin RSR

The Tsybin RSR (Reactivnyy Strategicheskiy Razvedchik, Cyrillic Реактивный Стратегический Разведчик, Russian for "jet strategic reconnaissance") was a Soviet design for an advanced, long-range, Mach 3 strategic reconnaissance aircraft.

RSR
Orthographically projected diagram of the Tsybin RSR
Role Reconnaissance aircraft
Manufacturer Tsybin OKB-256
Designer P. V. Tsybin
First flight 7 April 1959
Status Prototype/project
Primary user USSR

Development and design

In 1954, the design bureau headed by Pavel Tsybin started development of a ramjet-powered supersonic strategic bomber, the RS. This design proved impracticable, and a smaller derivative, the 2RS was proposed, which would achieve intercontinental range by being air-launched from a modified Tupolev Tu-95 bomber.[1]

This too was unsuccessful, with the aircraft unable to return to base if used on an intercontinental mission,[1] while being incapable of carrying a thermonuclear bomb.[2] The design was therefore revised again to a reconnaissance aircraft capable of operating from conventional runways, the RSR. As ramjets could not be used for take-off, they were replaced by turbofans.[1]

The RSR was primarily of aluminium construction, with a long circular-section fuselage, which housed a pressurized cabin for the pilot together with cameras and fuel, with thin, low-aspect-ratio trapezoidal wings. The engines, two Soloviev D-21 turbofans, were mounted at the tips of the wings. The aircraft had a bicycle undercarriage, with outriggers under the engine nacelles. It was planned to cruise at greater than Mach 2 at a height of 20,000 m (65,600 ft) giving a range of 3,760 km (2,340 mi).[3]

A simplified, full-sized aerodynamic prototype for the novel layout, the NM-1 was built in 1957. Intended for low-speed handling tests, the NM-1 had a steel-tube fuselage with duraluminium and plywood skinning.[4] This aircraft, powered by two Mikulin AM-5 turbojets first flew on 7 April 1959.[3] Based on the results of these trials, the RSR was redesigned (as the R-020) to make it more manoeuvrable at high altitude (it was proposed to carry out barrel rolls to avoid surface-to-air missiles).[5] More conventional Tumansky R-11 turbojets (the engine used in the MiG-21) replaced the unavailable Soloviev turbofans. Five R-020 airframes were virtually complete, only awaiting engines by April 1961, with another 10 planned, when Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev cancelled the program.

Specifications (R-020)

Data from Soviet X-Planes,[6] The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995[7]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 28 m (91 ft 10 in)
  • Wingspan: 10.66 m (35 ft 0 in)
  • Wing area: 64 m2 (690 sq ft) [8]
  • Empty weight: 9,100 kg (20,062 lb)
  • Gross weight: 19,870 kg (43,806 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 10,700 kg (23,589 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Tumansky R-11F turbojet engines, 38.64 kN (8,686 lbf) thrust each dry, 60.65 kN (13,635 lbf) with afterburner

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 2,600 km/h (1,600 mph, 1,400 kn) at 12,000 m (39,370 ft)
  • Maximum speed: Mach 2.44
  • Range: 4,000 km (2,500 mi, 2,200 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 22,500 m (73,800 ft) [8]
  • Take-off run: 1,200 m (3,937 ft)
  • Landing run: 800 m (2,625 ft) with brake parachute

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

Notes

  1. Butowski 1998. p. 39–40.
  2. Gunston 1995, p. 376.
  3. Gunston 1995, p. 377.
  4. Air International February 1977, p. 98.
  5. Tsybin R-020. www.testpilot.ru. Retrieved 28 February 2008.
  6. Gordon, Yefim; Gunston, Bill (2000). Soviet X-Planes. Hinkley: Midland. pp. 191–192. ISBN 978-1-85780-099-9.
  7. Gunston 1995, p. 378.
  8. Tsybin NM-1. www.testpilot.ru. Retrieved 28 February 2008.

Bibliography

  • Butowski, Piotr. "Steps Towards 'Blackjack': Soviet supersonic intercontinental bombers before the Tu-144". Air Enthusiast. No. 73, January - February 1998. Stamford, Lincolnshire: Key Publishing. Page 36-49. ISSN 0143-5450.
  • Gunston, Bill. The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft 1875 - 1995. London: Osprey, 1995. ISBN 1-85532-405-9.
  • "Plane Facts:Soviet strategic reconnaissance". Air International, February 1977, Vol 12 No 2. Bromley, UK:Fine Scroll. p. 98.
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