In the early 1950s, the V. M. Myasishchev Experimental Design Bureau (OKB-23), under the direction of Major General of Engineering Vladimir M. Myasishchev, began designing a four-engine jet strategic bomber. In 1954, the Myasishchev M-4, NATO reporting name Bison, made its first appearance at the 1954 Victory Day parade, surprising the US and forcing it responded by building hundreds of Boeing B-47s and B-52s to counter this perceived threat.