Sukhoi Su-17M4 "Fitter"

Sukhoi · Soviet Union · first flew 1980 · fighter

The Sukhoi Su-17M4 was the final and most capable production variant of the Su-17 family, featuring a digital navigation and weapons delivery system, a revised nose (returning to a flatter profile), and further enhanced electronic warfare capability.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, swept
E — Engines	1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	19.02 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Final Su-17 production variant with digital avionics
Variable-sweep attack aircraft with revised flat nose over M2/M3
Large dorsal spine and digital nav-attack system

The M4 is distinguished from the M2 and M3 by its return to a less drooped nose profile combined with the prominent dorsal avionics spine; the overall planform remains the characteristic variable-sweep Su-17 shape.

Specifications

The Sukhoi Su-17M4 has a length of 19.02 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 1980, the Su-17M4 entered service as the definitive swing-wing attack aircraft of Soviet Frontal Aviation. The revised avionics suite gave it all-weather capability superior to earlier variants, and production continued until the mid-1980s.

Variants

The M4 is the last production variant; no further Su-17 development followed. The unrelated Su-24 Fencer was the type's eventual replacement in the precision attack role.

Where you'll see it

Su-17M4s served with Soviet and later Russian forces into the 1990s; exported variants continued in service with several air forces into the 2000s. Algeria, Angola, Poland, and Syria were among the operators.

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