The Sukhoi Su-11 was a supersonic interceptor aircraft, which was used by the Soviet Air Force during the Cold War. With a delta-wing configuration, it was a further development of the Su-9, which was one of the most massively produced interceptor aircraft in the arsenal of the Soviet Union. Not only was it one of the fastest aircraft of the Cold War period, capable of reaching Mach 2.2, but it was also very reliable and maneuverable.
Compared to its predecessor, the Sukhoi Su-11 was much more user friendly and safer to fly. The aircraft as whole, and the engine in particular, were much more reliable that the Su-9. The Su-11 also had a greater maximum interception altitude and range thanks to the more powerful Oryol radar and the R-8M air-to-air missiles it was armed with. The prototype first flew on December 25, 1958, entering service with Soviet Air Force on July 27, 1964. Although it was withdrawn from active service in 1983, a few aircraft were preserved for posterity as museum exhibits.
Technical Description
The Sukhoi Su-11 was single-seat, single-engine monoplane of all-metal construction. It was made with cylindrical monocoque fuselage. It was fitted with delta mid-wing, whose leading edge had a 53-degree sweep. The aircraft tail assembly had a swept horizontal stabilizer. It was powered by one Lyulka AL-7F-1 turbojet engine, which could deliver 22,260 pounds of thrust. The engine air intake was located in the nose of fuselage. The Su-11 could be distinguished from its predecessor, the Su-9, by the external fuel tubes on dorsal portion of fuselage.
Specifications
Type: supersonic interceptor aircraft
Length: 18.22 m (59 feet, 10 inches)
Wing Span: 8.5 m (28 feet)
Wing Area: 34 m2 (370 square feet)
Height: 4.7 m (15 feet, 5 inches)
Power Plant: one 22,260-lb, Lyulka AL-7F-1 turbojet engine, with afterburner.
Maximum Speed: Mach 2.2 (2,340 km/h)
Range: 1,127 km (700 miles)
Service Ceiling: 18,000 m (59,000 feet)
Crew:1
Armament: air-to-air missiles
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| Above, a Sukhoi Su-11 on exhibition in an open museum. |
