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Sukhoi Su-17, Su-20, Su-22 ASCC codename: Fitter Ground-Attack Fighter |
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DESCRIPTION:
The Su-17 attack plane was a development of the Su-7, a rugged swept-wing attack fighter dating back to 1955. To improve the range and performance of the Su-7, Sukhoi modified the aircraft with pivoting swing-wings to produce the Su-17. Western sources originally believed the Su-17 was nothing more than an experimental aircraft with a crude attempt to test variable geometry wing technology. However, the modified design proved so successful that the Soviet Union proceeded with a production model known as the Su-17M 'Fitter-C'. This model also featured a new more powerful and fuel efficient engine as well as an improved navigation and attack system. An export version of the Su-17M was known as the Su-20. Fitted with less sophisticated avionics, the Su-20 was delivered to a number of Soviet allies. Among the operators of the Su-20 have been Poland, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Egypt, Iraq, North Korea, Syria, Algeria, and Angola. Additional models entered production during the mid-1970s. First of these was the Su-17M2 'Fitter-D' equipped with improved avionics. Among the enhancements introduced in this model was a laser rangefinder mounted in the conical centerbody of the engine inlet. A two-seat trainer variant based on the Su-17M2 also appeared. Designated the Su-17UM/UM2 'Fitter-E', these models featured a revised cockpit layout that improved pilot visibility and was adopted on all later models. Export variants, including the Su-22 attack fighter and Su-22UM trainer, were sold to several nations such as Angola, Libya, and Peru. The Su-17M2 series was not in production for long, however, as it was soon replaced by the Su-17M3 'Fitter-H' and Su-17UM3 'Fitter-G' models. These variants introduced a deeper fuselage with room for an internal radar as well as a significant increase in fuel capacity. These models also saw extensive service in foreign nations as the Su-22M single-seat attack fighter and Su-22UM3 two-seat trainer exported to Angola, Hungary, Libya, Peru, and Yemen, among others. The final production models were the Su-17M4 and Su-22M4 'Fitter-K' optimized for high performance during low-level strike missions. These models feature much more capable avionics systems than earlier models. The 'Fitter-K' variants are also capable of carrying a wide variety of precision-guided weapons and advanced air-to-air missiles. Production of the Su-17 family finally ended in 1990 after about 1,200 had been built, including about 500 for export customers. The Su-17, Su-20, and Su-22 remain in service througout the Russian republics, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Several upgrade programs have been offered, but many of the remaining examples will likely be replaced by versions of the Su-25 and Su-27.
Data below for Su-17M 'Fitter-C' and Su-17M4 'Fitter-K' |
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| HISTORY: | |
| First Flight | 2 August 1966 |
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Service Entry
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1972
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CREW:
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one: pilot
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ESTIMATED COST:
|
unknown
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| AIRFOIL SECTIONS: | |
| Wing Root | TsAGI-9030 |
| Wing Tip |
TsAGI SR-3-12
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| DIMENSIONS: | |
| Length |
(Su-17M) 61.54 ft (18.75 m) (Su-17M4) 62.42 ft (19.02 m) |
| Wingspan |
unswept: 45.25 ft (13.80 m) swept: 32.83 ft (10.00 m) |
| Height |
(Su-17M) 16.42 ft (5.00 m) (Su-17M4) 16.83 ft (5.13 m) |
| Wing Area |
unswept: 430.57 ft² (40.1 m²) swept: 398.28 ft² (37.0 m²) |
|
Canard Area
|
not applicable
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| WEIGHTS: | |
| Empty |
(Su-17M) 22,050 lb (10,000 kg) (Su-17M4) 23,455 lb (10,640 kg) |
| Normal Takeoff | 36,155 lb (16,400 kg) |
| Max Takeoff | 42,990 lb (19,500 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity |
internal: 8,310 lb (3,770 kg) occupying 1,200 gal (4,550 L) external: up to 840 gal (3,200 L) in four 210 gal (800 L) tanks |
|
Max Payload
|
9,370 lb (4,250 kg)
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| PROPULSION: | |
| Powerplant | one Lyul'ka AL-21F-3 afterburning turbojet |
| Thrust |
17,195 lb (76.5 kN) 24,800 lb (110.3 kN) with afterburner |
| PERFORMANCE: | |
| Max Level Speed |
(Su-17M) at altitude: 1,380 mph (2,220 km/h) at 36,090 ft (11,000 m), Mach 2.09 at sea level: 800 mph (1,285 km/h), Mach 1.05 (Su-17M4) at altitude: 1,170 mph (1,880 km/h) at 36,090 ft (11,000 m), Mach 1.77 at sea level: 840 mph (1,350 km/h), Mach 1.1 |
| Initial Climb Rate | 45,275 ft (13,800 m) / min |
| Service Ceiling | 49,870 ft (15,200 m) |
| Range |
typical: 740 nm (1,370 km) ferry: 1,375 nm (2,550 km) |
| g-Limits |
+7
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| ARMAMENT: | |
| Gun | two 30-mm NR-30 cannons (80 rds ea) |
| Stations | eight to ten external hardpoints |
| Air-to-Air Missile | (Su-17M-3 and later) K-13/AA-2 Atoll, R-60/AA-8 Aphid |
| Air-to-Surface Missile | (Su-17M-4) Kh-25ML/AS-10 Karen, Kh-58E/AS-11 Kilter, Kh-25MP/AS-12 Kegler, Kh-29/AS-14 Kedge |
| Bomb | FAB-100/200/500, other free-fall, guided, nuclear, anti-runway, incendiary, and cluster bombs |
| Other |
up to four UPK-23-250 or SPPU-22-01 23-mm gun pods, 57-mm to 370-mm rocket pods, ECM pods, reconnaissance
pods
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| KNOWN VARIANTS: | |
|
Su-7IG 'Fitter-B' (S-22I) |
Modified Su-7 with variable-geometry wings, prototype for the Su-17 |
|
Su-17 'Fitter-B' (S-32) |
Pre-production model with a longer fuselage; built in small numbers |
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Su-17M 'Fitter-C' (S-32M) |
Definitive ground attack production model with an improved engine, increased fuel capacity, and improved avionics; later airframes included aerodynamic refinements |
| Su-17R 'Fitter-C' | Tactical reconnaissance models based on the Su-17M |
|
Su-20 'Fitter-C' (S-32MK) |
Export version of the Su-17M with downgraded avionics, delivered to Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Iraq, Poland, North Korea, Syria, and Vietnam |
| Su-20R 'Fitter-C' | Tactical reconnaissance model based on the Su-20 |
|
Su-17M2 'Fitter-D' (S-32M2) |
Attack model with a longer nose housing a new nav/attack system and laser rangefinder |
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Su-22 'Fitter-F' (S-32M2K) |
Export model of the Su-17M2 with less capable avionics, sold to Angola, Libya, and Peru |
| Su-22R 'Fitter-F' | Tactical reconnaissance model based on the Su-22 |
|
Su-17UM 'Fitter-E' (S-52U) |
Two-seat trainer based on the Su-17M with a drooped nose, revised cockpit canopy for improved visibility, and only one cannon, some fitted with undernose sensor equipment of the Su-17M |
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Su-17UM2 'Fitter-E' (S-52UM) |
Improved Su-17UM with a taller tailfin |
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Su-22U/UM 'Fitter-E' (S-52UK/UMK) |
Export model of the Su-17UM/UM2 sold to Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Iraq, Libya, Peru, Vietnam, and Yemen |
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Su-17UM3 'Fitter-G' (S-52UM3) |
Improved two-seat trainer lacking full combat capability but including a deep dorsal spine, increased fuel capacity, and taller tailfin |
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Su-22UM3/UM3K 'Fitter-G' (S-52UM3K) |
Export versions of the Su-17UM3 trainer delivered to Afghanistan, Angola, Czechosolvakia, East Germany, Hungary, Libya, Peru, Poland, Syria, and Yemen |
|
Su-17M3 'Fitter-H' (S-52) |
Improved attack fighter similar to the Su-17UM with a deeper fuselage for an internal radar and increased fuel capacity, able to carry K-13/AA-2 or R-60/AA-8 infrared-homing air-to-air missiles |
|
Su-22M 'Fitter-J' (S-52K) |
Export version of the Su-17M3 attack fighter with downgraded avionics delivered to Angola, Hungary, Libya, Peru, and Yemen |
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Su-22M3 'Fitter-J' (S-52M3K) |
Export version of the Su-17M-3 attack fighter with a complete avionics and weapons fit; few built |
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Su-17M4 'Fitter-K' (S-54) |
Upgraded attack fighter optimized for high-speed at low altitude and equipped with advanced avionics including a new mission computer and navigation system, new radar, improved laser rangefinder, new gunsight, and a radar warning receiver; operated by Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Turkmenistan |
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Su-22M4 'Fitter-K' (S-54K) |
Final production model, upgraded expert version of the Su-17M4 delivered to Afghanistan, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Poland, and Vietnam |
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Su-17M3R, Su-17M4R, Su-22M3R, Su-22M4R |
Reconnaissance models equipped with the KKR-1 reconnaissance pod on the fuselage centerline station, pod carries photo-cameras, a flare dispenser, and electronic intellifence gear |
| Su-22M5 (S-56) | Originally called Su-17M4N (S-54N), was a proposal for a new model without wings replaced by a fixed 45° swept wing, substitution of the engine used on the Su-27, and updated weapons carriage capability |
| 1994 Upgrade | Proposal to upgrade older models with a new nav/attack system, HUD, laser target designator, mission compouter, GPS receiver, inertial navigation system, and cockpit displays; a second stage would include addition of long range air-to-air missiles and an upgraded radar and FLIR system compatible with precision-guided air-to-surface weapons |
| 1997 Upgrade |
Series of four separate upgrade packages including (1) GPS receiver and flight data sensors; (2) radar
warning receiver and jamming gear; (3) new cockpit displays and helmet-mounted sight; and (4) new radar
compatible with the Kh-31A anti-ship missile
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| KNOWN COMBAT RECORD: |
Libyan-Egyptian War (Egypt, 1977) Afghanistan War (Soviet Union, 1979-1989) Iran-Iraq War (Iran, Iraq, 1980-1988) Gulf of Sidra - shot down by US F-14s (Libya, 1981) Lebanon (Syria, 1982) Chadian-Libyan War (Libya, 1986) Iraq - Operation Desert Storm (Iraq, 1991) Nagorno-Karabakh War (Armenia, Azerbaijan, 1992-1994) attacked US C-130 (Peru, 1992) Cenepa War (Peru, 1995) Afghanistan - Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan, 2001) Yemen Sa'dah insurgency (Yemen, 2009-2010) Libya Civil War (Libya, 2011) |
| KNOWN OPERATORS: |
Afghanistan (Afghan Air Force) - Su-20, Su-22 Algeria, Al Quwwat al Jawwawiya al Jaza'eriya (Algerian Air Force) - Su-22 Angola, Força Aérea Popular de Angola (Angolan People's Air Force) - Su-20, Su-22 Armenia (Armenian Air Force) - Su-17, Su-22 Azerbaijan (Azerbaijan Air Force) - Su-17 Belarus, Voyenno Vozdushnyye Sily (Belarus Air Force) - Su-17 Bulgaria, Bulgarski Voenno Vozdushni Sili (Bulgarian Air Defense Force Military Aviation) - Su-22 Czechoslovakia, Ceskoslovenske Letectvo (Czechoslovak Air Force) - Su-22 Czech Republic, Cesk Letectvo a Protivzbusna Obrana (Czech Air Force and Air Defense) - Su-22 East Germany, Luftstreitkräfte/Luftverteidigung (Air Force/Air Defense Force) - Su-22 Egypt, Al Quwwat al Jawwiya il Misriya (Egyptian Air Force) - Su-20, Su-22 Germany, Deutsche Luftwaffe (German Air Force) - Su-22 Hungary, Magyar Honvedseg Repülö Csapatai (Hungarian Air Defense Group) - Su-22 Iran (Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force) - Su-20, Su-22 Iraq, Al Quwwat Al Jawwiya al Iraqiya (Iraqi Air Force) - Su-20, Su-22 Kazakhstan (Kazakhstan Air Force) - Su-17 Libya, Al Quwwat al Jawwiya al Jamahiriya al Arabia al Libyya (Libyan Air Force) - Su-22 North Korea (Korean People's Army Air Force) - Su-20, Su-22 Peru, Fuerza Aérea del Perú (Peruvian Air Force) - Su-20, Su-22 Poland, Polska Wojska Lotnicze i Obrony Powietrznej (Polish Air Defense and Aviation Force) - Su-20, Su-22 Russia, Voyenno Vozdushniye Sili (Russian Air Force) - Su-17 Slovakia, Velitelstvo Vzdusnych Sil (Slovak Air Force) - Su-22 South Yemen (South Yemen Air Force) - Su-22 Syria, Al Quwwat al-Jawwiya al Arabiya as-Souriya (Syrian Air Force) - Su-22 Turkmenistan, Voyenno-Vozdushneyye Sily (Turkmenistan Air Force) - Su-17 Ukraine, Voyenno Vozdushnyye Sily (Ukraine Military Air Forces) - Su-17 Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Voyenno Vozdushniye Sili (Soviet Air Force) - Su-17 Uzbekistan (Uzbek Air Force) - Su-17 Vietnam, Khong Quan Nhan Dan Viet Nam (Vietnam People's Army Air Force) - Su-22 Yemen (Unified Yemen Air Force) - Su-22 Yugoslavia, Ratno Vazduhoplovstvo i Protiv Vazdusna Odbrana (Serbia and Montenegro Air and Air Defence Force) |
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