Developed to meet a requirement to counter high altitude balloons, the single engine M-17 Stratosphera evolved. The M-17 first flew in 1982 and set many world records. The third prototype is seen here in the excellent museum at Monino. The type itself was futher developed into the two-engine M-55 Geofysica, which first flew in 1988. Since August 1999, CCCP-17103 can be admired in the museum in Monino.

Sometimes referred to as the Stratosphera, NATO type code name 'Mystic'. The M-17 was a high altitude (70,000 feet) research and reconnaissance aircraft, first flying in 1982.