Sukhoi Su-15 (1949)
Sukhoi · Soviet Union · first flew 1949 · fighter
The 1949 Sukhoi Su-15 (also known as the P) was an early Soviet swept-wing twin-jet fighter prototype, distinct from the more famous Su-15 Flagon interceptor of the 1960s. It represented an early post-war Soviet jet fighter development effort.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 13.5 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- First Soviet jet fighter designated Su-15, 1949
- Twin-turbojet swept-wing prototype
- Not the famous 1960s Su-15 interceptor — earlier prototype
A twin-jet fighter with moderately swept wings and fuselage-mounted engines; easily confused with the later Su-15 Flagon but predates it by nearly two decades.
Specifications
- The Sukhoi Su-15 (1949) has a length of 13.5 m (44 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.15 m (37 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 1030 km/h (640 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Sukhoi produced a series of prototype jet fighters in the late 1940s, of which the 1949 Su-15 was an advanced design with two Klimov RD-45 turbojets in the fuselage roots. The type was evaluated but not ordered into production, as priority shifted to other designs. The designation was later reused for the famous supersonic interceptor.
Variants
A single prototype; not related to the production Su-15 Flagon of the 1960s.
Where you'll see it
Never entered service; evaluated by the Soviet Air Force as a prototype only.
Related aircraft
- Sukhoi Su-8
- Sukhoi T-3
- Sukhoi P-1
- Sukhoi Su-6
- Arsenal VG 90
- Dassault MD 450 Ouragan
- de Havilland DH.112 Venom
- De Havilland DH.113 Vampire NF
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.