Sukhoi Su-11

infobox Aircraft
name = Su-11
type = Interceptor
manufacturer = Sukhoi



first flight = 25 december 1958
introduction = 1964
retired = early 1970s
primary user = Soviet Air Forces
produced = 1962 - 1965
number built = 108
developed from = Sukhoi Su-9The 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 was 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 too 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

;USSR
*Soviet Anti-Air Defense

pecifications (Su-11-8M)

Aircraft specification

plane or copter?=plane
jet or prop?=jet
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 main=

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
thrust/weight=0.71

more performance=
armament=
*2x R-98 (AA-3 'Anab') air-to-air missiles

External links

* [http://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=360 SU-11 Military Factory]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/su-9.htm Su-9/11 FISHPOT Global Security]
* [http://www.airwar.ru/enc/fighter/su11.html Airwar.ru (RUS)]

ee also

aircontent
related=
Sukhoi Su-7 -
Sukhoi Su-9

similar aircraft=

sequence=