Sukhoi Su-17 (1949)

Su-17
Role	Fighter
Manufacturer	Sukhoi
Status	Prototype only, never flew
Number built	1

The Sukhoi Su-17 (Aircraft R) was a prototype Soviet fighter. The name was later reused for an entirely different fighter-bomber, see Sukhoi Su-17.

Development

The Su-17 was designed to closely match the theoretical TsAGI calculations for supersonic performance. The aircraft had a 50° swept wing fitted with air brakes and boosted controls. A unique feature was that in addition to an ejection seat, the entire nose section of the aircraft could separate from the rest of the airframe.^[1] The project was canceled with no flights due to problems with wing structure, ongoing difficulties with the development of the TR-3 engine, and the closure of the Sukhoi OKB. The only example was eventually used as a gunfire target.^[2]

Specifications (Su-17 interceptor)

Data from OKB Sukhoi^[3]

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 15.253 m (50 ft 1 in)
• Wingspan: 9.6 m (31 ft 6 in)
• Height: 4.52 m (14 ft 10 in)
• Wing area: 27.5 m² (296 sq ft)
• Airfoil: root:TsAGI 9030, tip:SR-3-12
• Empty weight: 5,932 kg (13,078 lb)

Research variant: 6,240 kg (13,760 lb)

• Gross weight: 7,890 kg (17,394 lb)

Research variant: 7,390 kg (16,290 lb)

• Fuel capacity: 1,219 l (322 US gal; 268 imp gal)
• Powerplant: 1 × Lyulka TR-3 turbojet, 45.11 kN (10,141 lbf) thrust

Performance

• Maximum speed: 1,209 km/h (751 mph; 653 kn) at sea level

Research variant: 1,252 km/h (676 kn; 778 mph)

• Landing speed: 188 km/h (102 kn; 117 mph)

Landing speed - Research variant: 194 km/h (105 kn; 121 mph)

• Maximum speed: Mach 0.985
• Range: 855 km (531 mi; 462 nmi) at 830 km/h (450 kn; 520 mph) at 10,000 m (33,000 ft)
• Endurance: 52 minutes
• Service ceiling: 14,500 m (47,572 ft)

Research variant: 15,500 m (50,900 ft)

• Time to altitude: 4 minutes to 10,000 m (33,000 ft) (Research variant 3.5 minutes)
• Wing loading: 287 kg/m² (59 lb/sq ft)

Armament

2x 37 mm (1.457 in) Nudelman N-37 cannon with 40 rpg

References

1. Shavrov V.B. (1994). Istoriia konstruktskii samoletov v SSSR, 1938-1950 gg. (3 izd.) (in Russian). Mashinostroenie. ISBN 5217004770.
2. Gunston, Bill (1995–2000). The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft (2 ed.). Osprey. ISBN 1 84176096 X.
3. Antonov, Vladimir; Gordon, Yefim; others (1996). OKB Sukhoi. Leicester: Midland. ISBN 978-1-85780-012-8.