The Su-17M4 flew from Germany to Russia in the early 1990s as part of the withdrawal from Western clusters.
The MiG-27K, a state-of-the-art Soviet fighter-bomber, was prematurely retired due to the chaos of the 1990s. Along with it, another aircraft from the main competitor, the Sukhoi Design Bureau, is of course the Su-17M4. Although it does not have such an advanced laser television system as the MiG-27K, it is still considered a very successful aircraft with certain advantages.
In this article, I will tell you how to transform a hypersonic fighter with a high accident rate of origin in the 1950s into an attack aircraft, the export modification of which is still in service more than 50 years later.
Su-7
If you ask which fighters were armed with the Soviet Air Force and Air Defense Forces in the 1950s and early 1960s, you immediately think of the numerous works of the Mikoyan and Gurevich Design Bureaus - such as the MiG-15, MiG-17, MiG-19 and the early MiG-21. However, there were also aircraft of other companies, such as the design bureau rebuilt by Pavel Osipovich Sukhoi: interceptors Su-9 and Su-11, and, of course, Su-7.
Su-7
During the development process, for the first time, several solutions that had not previously been used in Soviet aviation were adopted. For example, a motorized air intake cone, which can adjust the airflow according to speed, and a full-motion horizontal tail. With the new powerful AL-7F engine, the aircraft has excellent dynamics.
For example, during a test flight, a speed of 2,170 km/h (Mach 2.03) was reached, which was 370 km/h higher than the speed of the Fairey Delta 2, a British test machine that set a world record at the time. However, this achievement of the Su-7 was not officially recognized.
The last modification of the Su-7
Unfortunately, despite the excellent performance of the new engine, a lot of improvement work is needed because of its low life and high fuel consumption. At the end of the 1950s, American high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft more and more brazenly violated the airspace of the USSR and urgently needed new fighters and interceptors, therefore, despite the problems, the Su-7 was put into production. From 1957 to 1960, only 133 were produced, which were in service with the Air Force and Air Defense Forces in the Far East (near the manufacturing plant located in Komsomolsk) until 1966.
-7B(Su-7B)
Sukhoi's Su-7B loses to the MiG-21, which has similar dynamic characteristics but is better suited to agile aerial combat, as it weighs almost 1.5 times less. In the case of the Su-7, the pilots noted that the control stick was too heavy, while the technicians complained about the complexity of maintenance. At the same time, the biggest problem lies in its engine, which has an initial lifespan of only 50 hours. In addition, the Su-7 had a higher accident rate: its average flight time was only half that of the MiG-21 (1964 hours versus 1770 hours). In general, the Su-7 can hardly be called a successful fighter.
The experimental fighter-bomber S-22-2 (future Su-7B) was equipped with an unguided rocket.
At the end of the 1950s, the aircraft found a new purpose: the newly created fighter-bombing aviation needed specialized aircraft, the bomb load of which was much larger than that of the MiG-15 and MiG-17 fighters (200 and 500 kg, respectively). The Su-7 is in production precisely and, although no longer used as a fighter, can still be used as an attack aircraft.
Su-7Б in flight.
The aircraft was equipped with pylons, bomb sights and other equipment for carrying weapons.
Su-7B cockpit interior.
The Su-7B is equipped with weapon mounts, bomb sights and other equipment. To increase the range of only 900 km, additional fuel tanks with a total capacity of 800 liters were added to the wing. In addition, a modified AL-7-F1-100 engine was installed, which increased the service life to 100 hours.
Su-7B with an external fuel tank.
The maximum bomb load of the Su-7B is 2000 kg, and the normal load is 1000 kg. Mounted armament includes conventional free-fall bombs, cannon pods and unguided rockets and, since 1961, tactical nuclear bomb 244Н. The bomb was fully tested at the Semipalatinsk range in 1961, just before the signing of the Treaty Banning Nuclear Tests on Ground, Water and Air. Thus, the Su-7B became the only Soviet-style supersonic aircraft from which actual nuclear weapons were dropped.
Su-7BM of the Polish Air Force
The Su-7B can only use its two 30-mm НР-30 cannons, each equipped with 70 rounds of ammunition, against air targets, and there are no air-to-air missiles.
Over the next 10 years, the Su-7B became the main model of fighter-bomber aviation. Production lasted from 1959 to 1972, with more than 1,700 different modifications produced. Let's enumerate them:
• Su-7B: base model;
• Su-7БКЛ: equipped with wheel-ski landing gear for earthen airfields;
• Su-7BM: enlarged wing fuel tanks, new engines, longer life, updated on-board equipment;
• Su-7BMK: export modification with some modifications of the Su-7БКЛ;
• Su-7U/UMK: Trainer combat model for the Soviet Air Force and export.
The wheel-ski landing gear of the Su-7БКЛ can be clearly seen in this photo.
In the USSR, the last Su-7B was decommissioned in 1986.
The birth of the Su-17 (Су-17).
Despite the series of modifications of the Su-7B "bomber", it is still not very suitable for use as a strike aircraft. Even with a nuclear bomb, hitting the target is quite okay, but it is almost impossible to detect and attack small targets with conventional weapons. Sometimes, pilots are not able to complete this task even on a familiar range. Due to the high speed of the flight, the lack of any target detection system and the poor downward and forward visibility, the pilots simply did not have time to see exactly where they needed to fire.
The military is also not satisfied with its take-off and landing performance: the take-off distance of 1450 meters and the taxi-run distance of 900 meters are too large for ground airfields, and with the development of tactical nuclear weapons, aviation forces located on regular airfields can be attacked, so it is becoming increasingly critical to disperse aircraft to ground platforms to improve safety.
Su-7BKL采用固体推进剂火箭助推器起飞。
In order to shorten the take-off distance, they tried to use solid-fuel rocket boosters, but they did not work well. So the designers turned to the solution that was popular at the time: a variable sweep angle wing. Depending on the flight mode, the mounting angle of the wing can be changed, giving it the desired performance characteristics.
Work on the Su-7 with a variable-geometry wing began in 1965. The first test aircraft, the Su-22I (Su-7IG), made its first flight on August 2, 1966. Interestingly, it was assembled from parts of different models of aircraft: the nose and landing gear were used from the Su-7BM, and the tail section was used from the Su-7BKL. The new wing is divided into fixed sections and movable parts attached to the fuselage, which can be adjusted at angles as needed. In addition, the wing is equipped with newer, more complex mechanisms. On July 9, 1967, the aircraft was shown to a wide audience at an air parade in Domodedovo.
Photo of the С-22И at takeoff.
Tests of the С-22И showed an improvement in take-off and landing performance, an increase in flight range. In particular, the take-off distance in an unarmed state was reduced by 450-470 meters, the glide run distance with a brake parachute was reduced by 550-600 meters, and the landing speed was reduced by 50 km / h. Based on the results of the tests, it was decided to design a production model with the same wing.
Beautiful S-22И from another angle.
The experimental Su-17 (S-32 to be exact) made its first flight on July 1, 1969. The start of production was not extended for too long: deliveries to the troops began from 1970. The first to receive the Su-17 was the 523rd fighter-bomber regiment of the Far Eastern Military District. Compared to the Su-7, the new aircraft received a number of improvements. To accommodate all the necessary equipment, the fuselage had to be lengthened, and a connection segment between the optical sight cover and the tail similar to the Su-7U was added.
Su-17
The maximum bomb load was increased from 2000 kg to 3000 kg. The Su-17 inherited all the mounted weapons of the Su-7BM, but over time it could also use the Х-23 air-to-surface missile with radio command guidance.
In terms of pilot operation, the Su-17 is easier to fly than its predecessor, and even for experienced pilots, the Su-7 does not tolerate mistakes and has a number of flight modes limitations.
Su-17 in a photo of a training flight school.
To protect against enemy missiles, the SPS-17 and SPS-141 jamming systems can be installed on the Su-142. They can reduce the probability of hitting the Su-17 missile "Hawk" from 0.6 to 0.3.
Various modifications of the Su-17
Su-17М
The Su-17 has continued to undergo several improvements and modernizations throughout its 20-year production history. For example, back in 1972, the Su-17М modification was introduced, which updated the electronics (БРЭО), expanded the range of armament and, most importantly, installed a more powerful and cost-effective AL-21Ф-З engine, which made it possible to achieve unification of the aircraft with the bomber Su-24 in terms of power system.
Su-17М配备了导弹模型。
In addition, two new belly hardpoints were added to the Su-17М, and the maximum bomb load was increased to 4000 kg. In the same year, the export model Su-20 also began to be produced, simplifying the variety of its electronic equipment and armament compared to the Su-17М.
Su-17М2
From 1974, the Su-17М2 began to be produced, the length of its front fuselage increased by 200 mm and it was equipped with new sights ASP-17 and PBK-3. In terms of armament, anti-radiation missiles Х-28 and laser-guided air-to-surface missiles Х-25 were added. Guidance of missiles is carried out by the respective loading containers "Метель" and "Прожектор-1".
Su-17М2
The export model was designated Su-22. In addition to the changes in onboard equipment, the model was equipped with the R-29БС-300 engine, which was improved from the MiG-23 and MiG-27. Subsequently, most of the export versions of the Su-17 adopted such engines.
Su-17UM
Production of the Su-17УМ trainer-combat modification began in 1976. In its design, the designers not only added a seat for the second pilot, but also significantly improved the nose section to improve visibility. To achieve this, they increased the centerline inclination angle of the front 12 ribs to 3 degrees, and the front window of the cockpit was enlarged.
Su-17UM
In addition, the new K-36D mount is mounted in a higher position, which further improves the field of view. In the armament, close-range air-to-air missiles Р-60 were added. As for guided missiles of the air-to-surface missile class, the Su-17УМ can only use the Х-25.
Su-17М3
The Su-17М3 is based on a single-seat design and is a modification of the Su-17 from a two-seat trainer model. In this modification, the second seat was used as a compartment for the placement of radio equipment. At the same time, the aircraft's onboard equipment was significantly updated, and the weapons hardpoints were modified to make it possible to mount such large missiles as the Х-29Л.
The first Su-17М3 test machine.
The aircraft was installed with a laser range-target designator "Клен-ПС" and an ASP-17БЦ sight, which made it no longer necessary to install a mounted container with a target designator for launching laser-guided missiles. It is worth mentioning that the same combination of equipment was also installed on the attack aircraft Su-25.
Part of the aircraft, designated Su-17М3П, has the ability to use Х-27ПС and Х-58 anti-radiation missiles. The guidance of these missiles is carried out through the loading containers of the "Вьюга-17" system.
Su-17М3配备了18枚P-50-75练习航空炸弹。
Su-17M3?? 29BS-300? Su-22M3-Su-17M3??
"Klen-PS"激光站窗口在Su-17M3的空气进气锥内
To combat infrared-guided missiles, the aircraft is equipped with a КДС-23 cassette mount, from which ППИ (commonly known as a hot decoy) is launched.
Here's the side view. Note the aircraft's beveled nose cone for improved visibility, as well as the cassette mount for placing the hot bait
What is interesting about the Su-17М3 is that the upper part of its fuselage began to be painted in camouflage for camouflage against the ground background, and the lower part was painted in blue to reduce its prominence against the background of the sky.
Su-17UM3
Production of the Su-17УМ17 began in 1978, a multi-purpose trainer-fighter, which, in comparison with the previous version of the Su-17УМ, received on-board equipment unified with the Su-17М3. The export version was designated Su-22М3. The main difference is that it is powered by the R-29БС-300 engine.
Su-17UM3
Su-17М4
The production of the most advanced modification of the Su-17М4 began in 1980 and continued until 1983. Then, in 1987-1988, the Komsomolsk-on-Amur plant assembled and delivered an additional 30 aircraft to the Soviet Air Force. The total production volume reached 265 aircraft.
Su-17М4配备了四个挂载式燃油箱。
Initially, it was planned to install a laser-television sighting system "Кайра" like the MiG-17М4 on the Su-27К, but it was not realized for a number of reasons. Despite this, a number of innovations were introduced into this aircraft.
The aircraft is equipped with the ПРНК-54 sight-navigation complex, which integrates previously scattered sighting and navigation systems. The system operates on the basis of the on-board digital computer "Орбита".
The second experimental С-54 (future Su-17M4) was an improved version of the Su-17 attack aircraft.
The new fire control system "Клен-54" is now able to work with television-guided missiles X-29Т. The image of the missile's head is displayed on the black-and-white TV display ИТ-23, which is equipped on part of the aircraft. The targeting of the missile is done by means of a control stick on the handle, and not by the steering of the entire aircraft. The X-29Т missile uses the principle of "fire and forget": the pilot aims the crosshair at the target, and after locking on the target, he can launch the missile and get out of the attack.
The cockpit of the Su-17М4 is equipped with an ИТ-23 display, but it is installed only on part of the aircraft.
Since the task of the attack aircraft did not require reaching a maximum speed of more than Mach 2, it was decided to abandon the adjustable air intake cone. The air intake cone was set in the position most suitable for low-altitude flight at supersonic speeds, and the speed was limited to Mach 1.75.
For export sales, the single-seat Su-17М4 and the two-seat Su-22УМ4К were developed based on the Su-22М3. These aircraft were still in production until 1990. In total, 1165 Su-1165 of different modifications of the Su-20 and Su-22 were exported to 15 countries.
Su-22UM3K
The combat history and fate of the Su-17 family
The first time aircraft of the Su-17 family took part in combat was during the Arab-Israeli war in 1973. Su-20 aircraft of the Syrian and Egyptian air forces at that time were involved in the fighting.
To list and describe in detail the wars in which all export versions of the Su-17 participated, another article is needed. In all, these aircraft have participated in all major conflicts in the Middle East over the past 50 years, including the Iran-Iraq war and Desert Storm. In Syria, the existing Su-22 is still in operational service.
Су-22М4 is the version of the Syrian Air Force.
In the USSR, various modifications of the Su-17 were the main fighter-bombers throughout the war in Afghanistan. They perform not only strike missions, but also conduct optical and radio reconnaissance through the carried optical and electronic reconnaissance container KKR-1/2.
Su-17М4 携带外挂容器
The main competitor, the MiG-27, appeared before the withdrawal of the troops. There are also statements about the participation of the Su-17М4 in the first Chechen war, but no details were found.
Su-17М4 in Afghanistan
In Russia, all Su-17s were scrapped in the 1990s. First in 1993, the Air Force decided to withdraw all single-engine fighters. The official reason was the high accident rate, but in reality it was also due to the extreme financial constraints, which made it impossible to maintain the aircraft and pay for personnel. In 1995, the fighter-bomber aviation unit was disbanded. Some of the aircraft were destroyed, some were sent to storage bases, where they eventually became unusable.
The last Su-17 (specifically, Su-17М3) entered service with the 43rd carrier-based attack aviation wing of the Black Sea Fleet until 1998. The wing was converted into Su-24 and Su-24МР, and the Su-17М3 was destroyed.
Su-17М3 in the 43rd separate naval assault aviation wing.
As for foreign countries, some still use the Su-20 and Su-22 to this day. The situation with regard to Syria has already been mentioned, but there are more interesting examples. For example, Poland is in no hurry to knock out their Su-22М4 and Su-22УМ3К. They are used in pilot training, radar operators, and training of aviation pilots. In fact, the flight hour cost of the "Su" aircraft is 16 times cheaper than the F-4.5.
This is a Polish Su-22М4. Local photographers are very fond of photographing them.
It's even more interesting in Iran. A small part of the Su-22М4 and Su-22УМ3К were given to the Iranians completely free of charge: in 1991, Iraqi pilots transferred these aircraft to Iranian bases in order to avoid their destruction by coalition forces during the US-led operation "Desert Storm". Of course, after the end of the fighting, Iran did not return these planes to Iraq for the next ten years.
Su-22M4?Su-22UM3K
These Su-22s, acquired in a unique way, were parked on the ground for more than 20 years, but they have not been forgotten. Since 2015, they have been gradually restored and put back into service. What's more, they were also modernized with the addition of Yasin gliding bomb armament, which could be dropped 50 kilometers in front of the target. Thus, this aircraft, which is already quite obsolete, becomes a platform for modern guided weapons and can be used without entering the range of air defense of a potential enemy.
伊朗Su-22机翼下的Yasin滑翔炸弹。
Given Iran's difficulty in acquiring new aircraft, these refurbished Su-22s will remain in service for many years. In addition, the Su-22 of different modifications is still in service with Angola, Vietnam and Libya.
2014,越南空军的Su-22УМ3
Thus, this attack aircraft, based on a modified version of the less successful fighter of the 1950s, is still in service today, albeit far from the USSR. In total, from 1970 to 1990, 2867 Su-17, Su-20 and Su-22 of different modifications were produced.