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Further Reading

NM-1 / 2-RS / RSR (R-020)

P.V. Tsybin's OKB-256 was selected on 23 May 1955 to build the RS ramjet-powered Mach 3 intercontinental reconnaissance / strike aircraft. The aircraft, air-launched from a Tu-95N bomber, was in competition with the V M Myasishchev (OKB-23) RSS-52 system. Tsybin's OKB-256 built the rocket-propelled transonic research aircraft LL-1, LL-2, and LL-3 from 1945. The NM-1 was the full-scale model of rocket supersonic reconnaissance aircraft 2-RS.

By the decision of government from 04.09.1956 g. was provided for construction on TTT VVS of high-altitude (N=e' km) supersonic (M=e,2) reconnaissance aircraft (2 RS) with two ramjet engines D -21. For the accomplishment of this objective at the plant on 25 April, 1956, it was organized BY OKB-256 headed by chief designer v. n. tsybin and is begun the building of productive- design housing (housing ? 2).

With the mastery of this theme, in connection with many problems, which be subject to permission, job schedule provided their step by step fulfillment. Thus, in connection with the late delivery times of high-temperature (strength) materials (of type AB - aluminum-beryllium alloy) and of assembly, was accepted the solution: the landing practice of this aircraft to perform with the aid of the full-scale model (NM-1), whose glider was prepared in basic from the material D -16T, and according to the geometric dimensions it completely corresponded to the original of aircraft. Instead of the ramjet engines D-21 were established turbojet - RD-11-30. Model was prepared on 4 December, 1957, and it was sent for the tests in LEAH (g. Zhukovskiy). The hero OF THE USSR Amet- khan sultan tested this aircraft twice. Were perfected 70 flights. Dispatch tests successfully. The revealed deficiencies were removed operationally. Start with the aid of the expendable special trolley and landing on the ski were worked out.

For servicing the thematics OKB -256 at the plant the special stands were created:

• the stand of the hot tests of tanks with the fuel (riveted tanks on different sealing compounds);
• the stand of the vaporizers of propane (determination of cooling efficiency of the heated gas with the aid of the propionic vaporizers);
• the stand of electrical equipment of article NM -1 and other stands.
• In 1958 was built the housing 2. In it were placed productive- design services OKB -256 and OKB "rainbow".

In the process of the production of aircraft 2 RS the deficiencies in its construction were revealed:

• because of the industrial production non-suitability of construction (absence of the pavement of wing) the cycle of assembling wing was very prolonged - 4-5 months;
• the complex construction-engineering docking system of wing with the fuselage;
• the used aluminum-beryllium alloy AB proved to be toxic and it was forbidden in the production;
• the mastery of article 2 RS went with the large delay from those outlined it was timetable.

In 1963 government let out the decision about the reduction by the fact on the experimental thematics. Work on the theme 2 RS was ended, OKB -256 is abolished, the areas of housing ? 2 were transmitted to plant, BAR "rainbow" and to branch OKB -52 (chief designer V. n. chelomey).