Sukhoi Su-7 Fitter

Summary

Category	Combat aircraft
Origin country	🇨🇳 Ex-USSR
First flight	7 September 1955
Year of introduction	1959
Number produced	1847 units
Average unit price	$3 million

Description

Derived from a prototype unveiled in Tsushino in 1956, the Sukhoi Su-7 was originally designed for tactical support.

With a simple and robust design, it was quite maneuverable at low altitudes and easy to maintain. Despite numerous and somewhat troublesome flaws, the aircraft was highly regarded by its pilots. The AL-7F engine was fuel-thirsty, especially at low speeds, which affected the Fitter's range. Additionally, despite its robustness, it proved to be quite vulnerable to enemy fire. The low payload and the initial inability to use short runways (requiring at least 2400 m of runway at full load) further compounded the issues.

To address these difficulties, the Soviets produced several improved versions, all designated by NATO as Fitter-A. The Su-7B was quickly replaced by the Su-7BM, which featured a tail parachute, four pylons under the wings (instead of two), a more powerful engine, and greater fuel capacity. It could also be equipped with rocket boosters for takeoff and a passive rear radar detector. The Su-7BMK, intended for export, had low-pressure tires and reinforced structure for use on unprepared or poorly prepared runways. However, the payload capacity remained somewhat limited. Besides the two 30 mm NR-30 cannons in the wing roots, it could carry around 2 tonnes of military load. The Su-7U (NATO designation: Moujik) was a two-seater version designed for training.

The Su-7 saw combat service during the Six-Day War (1967), the War of Attrition (1967-1970), and the Yom Kippur War (1973) with Egypt, as well as during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War with India. It was also highly successful in the export market, with a total of 1847 units produced, of which just under 700 were exported. Known operators included Afghanistan (120 units), Czechoslovakia (60, retired in 1990), India (160), Poland (46), and Syria. The USSR retired its last Su-7s in 1989. It appears that currently, North Korea is the only country still operating 18 of these aircraft.

Most operators have replaced the Su-7 with improved versions of the Fitter, particularly the Su-17/22.

Technical specifications

Version: Su-7BKL Fitter-A
Crew	1 pilot
Maximum speed	2150 km/h (1336 mph)
Wing area	34 m² (366.0 sqft)
Wingspan	9.3 m (30.5 ft)
Height	5.0 m (16.4 ft)
Length	16.6 m (54.5 ft)
Service ceiling	17600 m (57743 ft)
Empty weight	8937 kg (19703 lbs)
Max. takeoff weight	15210 kg (33532 lbs)
Climb rate	160.0 m/s (524.9 ft/s)
Takeoff distance	950 m (3117 ft)
Powerplant	1 × turbojet AL-7F-250 delivering 6800 kgp, up to 9600 kgp with afterburner
Ejection seat	Severin KS-4