Technical data
Type	M-56
Function	Bomber project
Year	1959
Crew	?
Engines	6*14000kg VK-15 turbojets
Length	m
Height	?m
Wingspan	?m
Wing area	?m2
Empty weight	?kg
Loaded weight	250000kg
Wing Load (kg/m2)	?
Thrust to Weight	0.34
Cruise Speed	Mach 2.5 to 3.25
Landing Speed	?km/h
Range	12000km
Ceiling	?m
Climb
1000m	?min
Payload
Fuel	?kg
Armament
Guns	?
Bombs	?
Rockets	?

In 1959 V.M.Myasichev OKB started project of a supersonic strategic bomber with cruise speed Mach=2.5 to 3.25, intercontinental range and takeoff weight 250tons.

General layout - canard with triangular wing and twin tailfins. In subsonic regimes canard foreplanes were floating and did not affect aircraft stability. After accelerating to supersonic speed canards were fixed, compensating for changing distribution of airdynamic forces. Last variant of the M-56 even had a variable sweep angle of the wing leading edge. This allowed to exclude sophisticated system of pumping the fuel from tank to tank. Engines were arranged in two 'packs', located under the wing, on the sides of wide 'lifting' fuselage.

Same year full-size mockup was built. Radio-controlled models were built and proved good stability and handling of the scheme. All estimations of M-55 performance show that it was an even match for USA 'analog' XB-70, which was flown in 1964.

Engine OKB lead by A.M.Lyulka was developing nuclear-powered powerplant for the M-60 variant, but this aircraft remained on drawing board. Passenger airliner M-55 also was planned.

Success of rocket weapons resulted in cut of numerous aircraft programs. One of the victims that fell under 'rocket attack' was V.M.Myasichev OKB (disbanded in 1960) and all their projects.

Predecessors	Modifications
M-50 M-52	M-55 (A,B,V)