Manufacturer
Miasíshchev

Year
1975

Challenge mode
Medium attacker contract

History
The M-73 "Zmey" was conceived by the Vladimir Miasishchev Design Bureau in the late 1960s as a response to a Ministry of Defense requirement: a close air support aircraft, rugged, and capable of operating from unprepared front-line airstrips. The project directly competed with what would eventually become the Sukhoi Su-25, but Miasishchev’s proposal leaned toward a more experimental approach, emphasizing higher speed and a heavier payload.

Although the M-73 impressed with its speed (exceeding 500 mph at sea level) and durability, it was ultimately deemed too complex and expensive to mass-produce compared to the simpler and more pragmatic Su-25. As a result, in 1972 the contract was awarded to Sukhoi, and the M-73 was shelved. Only three prototypes were built, one of which remained in service for decades as a testbed for inflight refueling and extreme trim control in STOL landings.

A famous anecdote recalls a test flight in Astrakhan, when a pilot managed to land the aircraft on barely 200 meters of semi-prepared terrain. Using the maximum trim-down setting and deploying the airbrakes (AG2), he stopped safely. Ground crews joked that the “Zmey” could coil itself into any hole, like the mythical serpent it was named after.

Aircraft lore
The nickname "Zmey", evoking the dragon-serpent of Slavic folklore, quickly caught on among engineers and test pilots. Even though the M-73 never entered mass production, it was remembered as “the dragon that never flew to war.”

Its mystique grew in the following years as leaked technical details revealed what might have been one of the fastest and most versatile ground-attack aircraft of its class. With a capability of carrying up to 7,700 lbs of weapons and additional fuel, it was adaptable to a wide array of attack profiles: unguided rockets, iron bombs, and external tanks.

Rumors circulated that one prototype might have been discreetly offered to Warsaw Pact allies who were interested in a highly capable strike aircraft for use on rough airstrips. While no transfers ever materialized, the possibility kept the legend alive: a warplane that was too advanced for its time, but trapped by politics and practicality.

Flight recommendations
Test pilots left a detailed set of recommendations for safe and effective operation:

• For STOL landings, lower the trim to maximum, maintain engine power around 20%, and activate the airbrakes (AG2) the moment the main landing gear touches down.

• While rugged, the airframe’s aerodynamics allow it to sustain speeds over 500 mph at sea level, so caution is advised during low-altitude maneuvering, as the aircraft can easily outrun pilot reaction time.

• With a range exceeding 2,500 km and aerial refueling capability, long deep-strike missions are possible. Pilot notes stressed low-level penetration profiles to maximize tactical surprise.

• Thanks to its reinforced structure, it can operate from rough and unprepared runways, though prolonged use on dusty strips was discouraged to avoid engine ingestion issues.

Options

• AG1 - Open the airplane cabin
• AG2 - Activate airbrakes
• AG3 - Extend in-flight refueling probe
• AG4 - Release ventral fuel tank
• AG5 - Drop Fab-500 bombs
• AG6 - Fire all ground attack missiles.
• AG7 - Ejection

Special characteristics

• Armored cabin and engine
• Supersonic flight at medium and high altitudes
• Adaptive leading edges
• FLIR Laser Designation System
• Multipurpose weapons platform