In line with the directive of the Council of Ministers dated 5 February,
1962, a provision was made both to further develop the E-155
R15B-300-powered aircraft in the reconnaissance aircraft and interceptor
variants and to convert two E-152s for testing elements of the S-155
intercept system being under development. In accordance with that, it was
envisaged to fit the E-152/1 with new R15B-300 engines and carry out its
flight trials. Besides, a decision was taken to equip the E-152/2 with the
Smerch-A radiocontrol and homing system, as well as with K-80 missiles in
order to test and prepare them for the E-155P interceptor.
In 1962, a working draft was developed with all necessary drawings issued.
The work on conversion of the E-152/1 into the E-152M/1 began after the
world records had been set on it. The R15B-300 engines, featuring enhanced
thrust and an all-mode nozzles, were installed on the aircraft. Extra fuel
load was added. It was housed by three detachable grotto tanks and by the
first fuselage tank. It was envisaged to install foreplanes. Due to this,
the E-152/1 fuselage's fore and rear sections were redesigned. The work had
been finished by the end of 1962, but sub-standard engines had to be
mounted. The completion of the second prototype was also delayed due to the
lack of the engines. It was assembled only in the first half of 1963,
equipped with sub-standard engines, too, and was sent to the factory flight
testing on 14 June, 1963. The E-152M/2 aircraft was equipped with R15B-300
engines and two K-80 all-aspect homing missiles, mounted on the wing tips.
The aircraft was equipped with the Smerch-A radar with the radio
interception system, SAU-1I Polyot automatic control system with flight
navigation devices, Lazur-M command link system, RSBN-2 Iskra short-range
navigation and landing system and the KSI compass system.
The R15B-300 engine ?8, delivered in November 1963 and installed on the
E-152M/1, ensured only the ground test programme, with the engine started.
The flight trials were not carried out due to the ban on operating the
engine in the air. In 1963-1964, the flight tests failed to begin because
there were no R15B-300 flight-ready engines on hand. That is why further
work on them was cancelled, and it was the E-152A aircraft that was used for
experiments.