Sukhoi Su-7
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The Sukhoi Su-7 (NATO designation name: Fitter-A) is a swept wing, supersonic fighter aircraft developed by the Soviet Union in 1955. Originally, it was designed as a tactical, low-level dogfighter, but was not successful in this role. On the other hand, the soon-introduced Su-7B series became the main Soviet fighter-bomber and ground-attack aircraft of the 1960s. The Su-7 was rugged in its simplicity but its shortcomings included short range and light weapon load.
Variants[edit | edit source]
- Su-7: First production version. The only production version that was a tactical air superiority fighter. Factory designation S-2. Manufactured 1957–1960 with 132 built. Remained in operational service until 1965.
- Su-7B: The first ground-attack version, factory designation S-22. Manufactured 1960–1962 with 431 built.
- Su-7BM: Upgraded AL-7F-1 engine, upgraded fuel system with external piping on either side of the fuselage spine, fuel tanks installed in the wings, "wet" underwing hardpoints for carrying external fuel tanks, capable of carrying tactical nuclear bombs. Manufactured 1963–1965 with 290 built.
- Su-7BKL: Rough-field capable variant with skids affixed to the sides of the main landing gear, provision for two SPRD-110 JATO rockets of 29.4 kN (13,300 lbf) thrust, and twin brake parachutes. Introduced in 1965, factory designation S-22KL. Manufactured 1965–1972 with 267 built.
- Su-7BMK: A simplified export version of Su-7BM. Manufactured 1967–1971 with 441 built.
- Su-7U (NATO Moujik): Two-seat trainer version of the Su-7B with reduced fuel capacity. First flight October 25th, 1965. Manufactured 1966–1972 in parallel with the export version, designated Su-7UMK.
- Su-7UM (NATO Moujik): Two-seat training version of the Su-7BM.
- Su-7UMK (NATO Moujik): Two-seat training version of the Su-7BMK. All Su-7 trainers amounted to 411 built.
- Su-7IG: Experimental variable geometry wing aircraft which was developed into Sukhoi Su-17.
- 100LDU Control Configured Vehicle: A Su-7U modified with canards and a longitudinal stability augmentation system. It was designed as a testbed for a fly-by-wire system for the Sukhoi T-4. It was later used in 1973–1974 during the development of the Su-27's fly-by-wire system.
OKB-51 designations[edit | edit source]
- S-1: (Strelovidnoye [krylo] – swept wings) OKB-51 designation for the first prototype of the Su-7 / Su-9 family.
- S-2: OKB-51 designation for the first production version of the Su-7.
- S-22: OKB-51 designation for the Su-7B production aircraft.
- S-22-2: OKB-51 designation for the prototype of the Su-7BM.
- S-22M: OKB-51 designation for the Su-7BM production aircraft.
- S-22KL: OKB-51 designation for the Su-7BKL production aircraft, incorporating the Short field equipment tested on the S-22-4.
- S-23: As a precursor to the S-22-4 tests, the S-23 was tested with a pure ski undercarriage and with skis on the main legs only.
- S-22-4: An S-22 tested with wheel / Ski undercarrriage, brake Parachute and SPRD-110 JATO boosters for rough/unpaved field operations.
- S-25: This aircraft was used for Boundary Layer Control (BLC) tests, with compressor bleed air blown over the leading edges to reduce field length.
- S-25T: A Su-7 fitted with the Boundary Layer Control system, rigged especially for use in a full-scale wind tunnel.
- S-26: A continuation of the S-22-4 testing with wheel/ski undercarriage, double brake parachute and JATO boosters (The S-26 survives on display at the Russian Air Force Museum, Monino).
- S-22MK: A simplified export version of the Su-7BKL, designated Su-7BMK
- U-22: A belated trainer version with two seats in tandem in an extended nose based on the Su-7BM.
- U-22MK: OKB-51 designation for the export version of the Su-7U, designated Su-7UMK by the Soviet Air Force
- S-3: A projected interceptor version of the S-2, with "Izumrud" radar and avionic equipment in a re-configured nose section.
- S-41: OKB-51 designation for an experimental version of the S-1/S-2 with a lengthened nose and area-ruled rear fuselage.
- T-1: A delta-wing tactical fighter project, based on the S-2, cancelled with the prototype nearly complete.
- T-3: A delta-winged interceptor version of the S-2, developed in parallel to the S-3 and T-1. This would eventually lead to the T-43 prototype of the Su-9 interceptor.
Users[edit | edit source]
- Afghanistan
- Afghan Air Force
- Algeria
- Algerian Air Force
- Czechoslovakia
- Czechoslovakian Air Force
- Egypt
- Egyptian Air Force
- India
- Indian Air Force
- Iraq
- Iraqi Air Force
- Democratic People's Republic of Korea
- Korean People's Air Force
- Poland
- Polish Air Force
- Soviet Union
- Soviet Air Force
- Syria
- Syrian Air Force
- Turkmenistan
- Turkmen Air Force
