Development of the NK-4 began on September 27, 1955[1] at the Kuznetsov Design Bureau. Factory tests were passed on April 17, 1956[1] and state tests were passed in 1957.[1] At the time, the NK-4 was considered an economical and technologically advanced engine.[1]
A modified version of the NK-4 that improved in terms of service life and efficiency,[1] the NK-4A, passed factory tests in October 1957.[1] State tests of the NK-4A were passed in June 1959.[1]