72135 SUKHOI SU-9 SOVIET AIR DEFENCE FIGHTER-INTERCEPTOR

The Sukhoi Su-9 is a Soviet single-engine jet interceptor with a classic tail, metal structure and slanted wings in a medium wing configuration. The prototype flight took place in May 1956. The Su-9 was the basic Soviet interceptor of the early 1960s. It also perfectly reflected the concept of a "carrier plane", not intended for maneuvering, but for one surprise missile attack. In the second half of the 1960s, the Su-9 planes were adapted to carry the R-55 self-guiding missiles with infrared radiation, and the radar was modified for the RP-9UK variant. The Su-9 was also tested with bombs and, at the beginning of the 1970s, with the UPK-23-250 suspended container with a 23 mm cannon, the use of which, however, required the abandonment of suspended fuel tanks and was not popular. In 1960, the two-seater training and combat variant of the U-43 aircraft was developed. It had a 60 cm long fuselage to accommodate the instructor's seat behind the pilot's cabin. The prototype rebuilt from the Su-9 was flew on January 25, 1961. After state tests, the plane was adopted under the designation Su-9U and in 1961-1962 they were built at the Moscow plant of 50. This version carried two missiles and kept the radar station and others on it equipment. The Su-9 was replaced in the USSR aviation by the Su-11 and Tu-128. Technical data (Su-9 version): length: 18.06m, wingspan: 8.54m, height: 4.82m, maximum speed: 2230km / h, rate of climb: 200m / s, practical ceiling: 20,000m, maximum range: 1260 km, armament: fixed - none, outboard - from 2 to 4 AA-1 Alkali (RS-2US / K-5) or AA-3 Anab (K-55) missiles.