Russia are Preparing to Deploy a М-55 Reconnaissance Aircraft

20 November, 2023 M-55 reconnaissance aircraft. Russia. Photo credits: opex360.com

British intelligence found out about Russia's plans to reactivate the Soviet M-55 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft. The British Defense Ministry said that there is a possibility that ?-55 would be involved in the war with Ukraine. The Soviets were developing the ?-55 stratospheric reconnaissance aircraft.

It was supposed that due to the high altitude of the flight, it would be unreachable for the vast majority of ground weapons. In total, from 2 to 5 aircraft of this type were built. The photos, which recently appeared on the web, showed one of these aircraft, equipped with a UKR-RT pod developed by Kaluga Research Radio Engineering Institute, which is usually used with Su-34 tactical bombers in electronic reconnaissance missions.

M-55 aircraft with a UKR-RT universal intelligence pod, equipped with SIGINT devices. Russia.

2023. Photo credits: @AndreiBtvt

In this regard, there was an assumption that the ?-55 could return to service and be engaged in target designation over the territory of Ukraine or even outside it.

The British Ministry of Defense, in its report, suggests such a scenario. "Russia is likely considering bringing the Soviet-era M-55 MYSTIC B high altitude reconnaissance aircraft back into service. With an operating ceiling of over 70,000 feet, the aircraft has been recently employed as an earth-sciences research platform.

However, it has been observed carrying a military reconnaissance pod, developed for employment on Russian fighter aircraft," British intelligence said. According to the British military, the involvement of the ?-55 in combat operations can be explained by difficulties in "adequate Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability."

The M-55 aircraft in flyable storage. Russia.

Photo credits: opex360.com

"There is a realistic possibility that the M-55 will return to frontline service to bolster Russia's limited ISTAR capabilities over Ukraine. Operating at high altitudes enables the sensors to work at considerable stand-off range," the intelligence said. Characteristics of the ?-55:

• ?-55 is equipped with two engines PS-30V-12 with thrust at takeoff of 4500 kg each.
• Gross weight - 24,500 kg.
• V-speeds - 740 km/h at 20,000 m.
• The maximum range is 5,000 km at 17,000 m.
• Service ceiling - 21 550 m.
• Endurance at an altitude of 21,000 m - one hour.

As reported, due to sanctions, Russian ?-100 airborne early warning and control aircraft have to replace Western electronics with domestic ones.