| Su-11 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Role | Interceptor |
| Manufacturer | Sukhoi |
| First flight | 25 December 1958 |
| Introduction | 1964 |
| Retired | 1983 |
| Primary user | Soviet Air Forces |
| Produced | 1962 - 1965 |
| Number built | 108 |
| Developed from | Sukhoi Su-9 |
The Sukhoi Su-11 (NATO reporting name 'Fishpot-C') was an interceptor aircraft used by the Soviet Union in the 1960s.
Design and development[]
The Su-11 was an upgraded version of the Sukhoi Su-9 ('Fishpot') interceptor, which had been developed in parallel with the OKB's swept wing Su-7 fighter bomber. Recognizing the Su-9's fundamental limitations, Sukhoi began work on the Su-11, which first flew in 1961 as the T-47 prototype.
The Su-11 shared the Su-9's delta wing, swept tailplanes and cigar-shaped fuselage, as well as the circular nose intake, but had a longer nose to accommodate the more powerful 'Oryol' (Eagle; NATO reporting name 'Skip Spin') radar set. A more powerful Lyulka AL-7F-1 turbojet was installed, providing 9.8 kN (2,210 lbf) more afterburning thrust for improved climb rate and high-altitude performance (and to compensate for increased weight). The Su-11 can be distinguished from the Su-9 by the external fuel pipes atop the fuselage, aft of the cockpit.
The Su-9's beam-riding K-5 missiles were replaced by a pair of R-98 (AA-3 'Anab') weapons, usually one R-98MR semi-active radar homing and one R-98MT infrared guided. Like many interceptors of the period, it had no cannon.
Production of the definitive Su-11-8M began in 1962, ended in 1965, after about 108 aircraft had been delivered, although it is believed that at least some Su-9s were upgraded to Su-11 form.
A conversion trainer version, the Su-11U 'Maiden,' was also developed. Similar to the Su-9U, it had full armament and radar systems for training purposes. Because the second seat further reduced its already marginal fuel capacity, it was not really intended for combat use.
Operational history[]
Development problems and accidents delayed squadron introduction with the Soviet Air Force / Soviet Anti-Air Defense until 1964 and only small number of aircraft were delivered.
Even with the superior radar, the Su-11 remained heavily dependent on ground control interception (GCI) to vector its pilot onto targets. It had no capability against low-flying aircraft either, and Sukhoi OKB considered the Su-11 to be a misfire, much inferior to the far more formidable Su-15 ('Flagon'). Nevertheless a few examples remained operational until early 1980s. The last Su-11s left front-line service around 1983.
Operators[]
Soviet Union
Specifications (Su-11-8M)[]
General characteristics
- Crew: One
- Length: 18.29 m (60 ft 0 in)
- Wingspan: 8.43 m (27 ft 8 in)
- Height: 4.88 m (16 ft 0 in)
- Wing area: 34 m² (366 ft²)
- Empty weight: 9,000 kg (20,000 lb)
- Loaded weight: 13,600 kg (30,000 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Lyulka AL-7F-1 turbojet, 96 kN (21,164 lbf)
Performance
- Maximum speed: Mach 2.2, 2340 km/h (1454.01 mph) at 11,000 m (36,000 ft)
- Range:
- Combat: 500 km (312 mi)
- Ferry: 1,125 km (703 mi)
- Service ceiling: 17,000 m (55,760 ft)
- Rate of climb: 136.7 m/s (27,000 ft/min)
- Wing loading: 400 kg/m² (82 lb/ft²)
- Thrust/weight: 0.71
Armament
See also[]
External links[]
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The original article can be found at Sukhoi Su-11 and the edit history here.