Sukhoi Su-11
The
Sukhoi Su-11 (
NATO reporting name 'Fishpot-C') was an
interceptor aircraft used by the
Soviet Union in the
1960s.
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. 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.
Production of the definitive Su-11-8M began in
1962, but development problems and accidents delayed squadron introduction with the Soviet Air Force/Air Defense Troops (
VVS/
V-PVO) till
1964. Production 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.
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 in operational status until early
1980s. The last Su-11s left front-line service around
1983.
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.
{{Aircraft specification|
plane or copter?=plane |
>crew=One | length main=18.29 m | length alt=60 ft 0 in | span main=8.43 m | span alt=27 ft 8 in | height main=4.88 m | height alt=16 ft 0 in | area main=34 m² | area alt=366 ft² | empty weight main=9,000 kg | empty weight alt=20,000 lb | loaded weight main=13,600 kg | loaded weight alt=30,000 lb | max takeoff weight alt= | more general= | engine (jet)=Lyulka AL-7F-1 | type of jet=turbojet | number of jets=1 | thrust main=96 kN | thrust alt=21,164 lbf | max speed main=Mach 1.8, 1,980 km/h | max speed alt=1,194 mph | max speed more=at 11,000 m (36,000 ft) | range main=
*Combat: 500 km (312 mi)
*Ferry: 1,125 km | range alt=703 mi | ceiling main=17,000 m | ceiling alt=55,760 ft | climb rate main=136.7 m/s | climb rate alt=27,000 ft/min | loading main=400 kg/m² | loading alt=82 lb/ft² | more performance= | armament=
*2x R-98 (AA-3 'Anab') air-to-air missiles* Soviet Union{{aircontent|related=Sukhoi Su-7 -Sukhoi Su-9|similar aircraft=|sequence=Su-7 -Su-9 -Su-10 -Su-11 -Su-15 -Su-17 -Su-20
|
