Meet the M-55: During the Cold War, the United States Air Force developed several impressive high-flying reconnaissance aircraft including Lockheed's U-2 Dragon Lady and SR-71 Blackbird, while it also was at the forefront of satellite-based intelligence gathering. The Soviet Union attempted to build its own aircraft – and the result was the Myasishchev M-55 Geophysica (NATO reporting name: Mystic-B), a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft developed by OKB Myasishchev.

Its mission was similar to the U2, but its design was notably different, as it featured a twin-boom fuselage and tail surface design. It was a further development of the M-17 Stratosphera (Mystic-A) and was fitted with two engines instead of one, while it had a greater takeoff weight.

The subsonic aircraft is fitted with two Aviadvigatel PS-30 turbojet engines, mounted side-by-side behind a raised cockpit.

The M-55 reportedly can carry 1,500 kg (3,300 pounds) of pod-mounted sensors, and during flight, the reconnaissance equipment operates automatically. Data is transmitted through the communication channel. It has a flight endurance of 6 hours 30 minutes.

The Geophysica is generally regarded to be inferior to the U.S. U-2 Dragon Lady in terms of performance, avionics, and reconnaissance.

It was largely too little and way too late – as the aircraft only made its maiden flight in 1988.

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union at the end of the Cold War, it was no longer needed and few were produced.

Officially the M-55 aircraft performed "scientific research roles," but could soon be conducting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions over Ukraine.

M-55: Back From the USSR

Earlier this week, the UK's Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced in a press briefing that the Russian military was likely considering returning the Soviet-era spy plane to 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," the MoD explained in an intelligence briefing update posted on X – the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

"A critical flaw in Russian procurement strategy has been its failure to establish an adequate Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability," the MoD added, noting that it is a "critical time" for timely and accurate "prosecution of targets."

The UK's ministry further suggested that the M-55 could be returned to frontline service to bolster the Kremlin's limited ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance) capabilities over Ukraine.

With a maximum altitude of more than 70,000 feet, the M-55 could conduct reconnaissance from a safe distance by operating from the safety of Russian airspace.

It is unclear how many M-55s are now in service with the Russian Air Forces.

Author Experience and Expertise

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu.

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