The engine was originally intended for the Tupolev Tu-121 high-altitude high-speed cruise missile.

Due to a lack of Soviet resources and funding, the engine casing was mainly steel, and in areas exposed to high temperatures, 30-micrometre silver-plated steel.

At the time, the USSR did not have the resources to exploit metals such as titanium or other alloys that could have reduced the weight of the engine.

The Tu-121 was later canceled, but its basic design was used in the Tupolev Tu-123 reconnaissance drone.

The engine had a very high fuel consumption, especially at low altitudes.