Sukhoi Su-17M "Fitter"

Sukhoi · Soviet Union · first flew 1971 · fighter

The Sukhoi Su-17M was the first major production variant of the Su-17 variable-geometry wing ground attack aircraft, introducing the more powerful Lyulka AL-21F turbojet engine over the Su-17 prototype. It became a workhorse of Soviet and Warsaw Pact close air support forces.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, swept
E — Engines	1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	18.75 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Variable-geometry swing-wing Soviet ground attack aircraft
Single AL-21F turbojet with large air intake
Improved Su-17 with uprated engine over original Su-17

A variable-geometry swing-wing attack aircraft with a large pointed nose intake, low-set wings with prominent wing gloves, and a single large exhaust nozzle; the wing position changes from swept for high speed to spread for take-off and low-speed flight.

Specifications

The Sukhoi Su-17M has a length of 18.75 m (62 ft).
It has a wingspan of 13.68 m (45 ft).
Its maximum speed is 1860 km/h (1156 mph).
Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

First flown in 1971, the Su-17M entered service with the Soviet Air Forces as an improvement over the baseline Su-17, which itself derived from the fixed-wing Su-7 by adding variable-sweep outer wing panels. The M suffix indicated the AL-21F engine and improved avionics.

Variants

The Su-17M was followed by the Su-17M2 with a distinctive drooped nose for improved visibility, then the M3 and M4 with progressively upgraded avionics and weapons systems.

Where you'll see it

The Su-17M served with Soviet Frontal Aviation and was exported widely to Warsaw Pact and Middle Eastern air forces; Su-17 family aircraft saw combat in Afghanistan and various Middle Eastern conflicts.

Related aircraft

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