Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute

Soviet aircraft institution

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The Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI) was the premier Soviet aeronautics research institution. Established in 1922, it was co-founded by aviation designer Andrey N. Tupolev. TsAGI was instrumental in the development of Soviet aircraft, including early all-metal bombers and record-setting large aircraft.1

During World War II, the Soviet Union's aircraft industry, while needing to procure American fighters initially, developed competent native designs from bureaus like Yakovlev and Mikoyan-Gurevich (MiG). After the war, research activities at TsAGI and other institutes were placed under the government's Ministry of Aircraft Production. This led to the development of significant aircraft projects, including the USSR's first commercial jetliner and the world's first supersonic passenger jet by the Tupolev design bureau, which originated from TsAGI.21

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Andrey Nikolayevich Tupolev
In 1918 they organized the Central Aerohydrodynamics Institute, of which Tupolev became assistant director in 1918. He became head of the institute’s design bureau in 1922 and supervised the work of various designers—including Pavel O. Sukhoy (see Sukhoy design bureau), Vladimir M. Myasischev, and Vladimir M. Petlyakov—who later became notable…
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In 1918 they organized the Central Aerohydrodynamics Institute, of which Tupolev became assistant director in 1918. He became head of the institute’s design bureau in 1922 and supervised the work of various designers—including Pavel O. Sukhoy (see Sukhoy design bureau), Vladimir M. Myasischev, and Vladimir M. Petlyakov—who later became notable…
Read More