Tsybin RSR

{{Short description|1959 reconnaissance aircraft prototype by Tsybin}}

{{Infobox aircraft

|name = RSR

|logo =

|image = Rsr_3.jpg

|caption = Orthographically projected diagram of the Tsybin RSR

|type = Reconnaissance aircraft

|manufacturer = Tsybin OKB-256

|designer = P. V. Tsybin

|first_flight = 7 April 1959

|introduction =

|retired =

|status = Prototype/project

|primary_user = USSR

|more_users =

|produced =

|number_built =

|program cost =

|unit cost =

|developed_from =

|variants =

}}

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.

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.Butowski 1998. p. 39–40.

This too was unsuccessful, with the aircraft unable to return to base if used on an intercontinental mission, while being incapable of carrying a thermonuclear bomb.Gunston 1995, p. 376. 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.

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 {{convert|3,760|km|mi|abbr=on}}.

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.Air International February 1977, p. 98. This aircraft, powered by two Mikulin AM-5 turbojets first flew on 7 April 1959.Gunston 1995, p. 377. 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).[http://www.testpilot.ru/russia/tsybin/r020/r020_e.htm Tsybin R-020]. www.testpilot.ru. Retrieved 28 February 2008. 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)

{{Aircraft specs

|ref=Soviet X-Planes,{{cite book |last=Gordon |first=Yefim |title=Soviet X-Planes |year=2000 |publisher=Midland |location=Hinkley |isbn=978-1-85780-099-9 |last2=Gunston |first2=Bill |pages=191–192}} The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995Gunston 1995, p. 378.

|prime units?=met

|crew=1

|length m=28

|length note=

|span m=10.66

|span note=

|height m=

|height note=

|wing area sqm=64

|wing area note=[http://www.testpilot.ru/russia/tsybin/nm/nm1_e.htm Tsybin NM-1]. www.testpilot.ru. Retrieved 28 February 2008.

|aspect ratio=

|airfoil=

|empty weight kg=9100

|empty weight note=

|gross weight kg=19870

|gross weight note=

|max takeoff weight kg=

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|fuel capacity={{cvt|10700|kg|0}}

|more general=

|eng1 number=2

|eng1 name=Tumansky R-11F

|eng1 type=turbojet engines

|eng1 lbf=8686

|eng1 note=

|eng1 lbf-ab=13,635

|max speed kmh=2600

|max speed note=at {{cvt|12000|m}}

|max speed mach=2.44

|cruise speed kmh=

|cruise speed note=

|stall speed kmh=

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|never exceed speed kmh=

|never exceed speed note=

|minimum control speed kmh=

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|range km=4000

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|ceiling m=22500

|ceiling note=

|g limits=

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  • Take-off run: {{cvt|1200|m}}
  • Landing run: {{cvt|800|m}} with brake parachute

|avionics=

}}

See also

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References

=Notes=

{{reflist}}

=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.