Sukhoi Su-7 "Fitter"
Sukhoi / Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association · Soviet Union · first flew 1955 · fighter
The Sukhoi Su-7 (NATO: Fitter-A) was the Soviet Union's first swept-wing supersonic ground-attack fighter and formed the backbone of Warsaw Pact tactical strike aviation through the 1960s and 1970s. Despite its high speed, it suffered from a short range and heavy fuel consumption.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 17.37 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single-engine swept-wing ground-attack fighter with prominent nose intake
- Very long, pointed nose cone housing radar ranging
- Short undercarriage with prominent mainwheel fairings
The very long fuselage, prominent circular nose intake, sharply swept mid-mounted wings, and distinctive wheel-well fairings along the lower fuselage identify the Su-7 in profile.
Specifications
- The Sukhoi Su-7 has a length of 17.37 m (57 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8.9 m (29 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 1700 km/h (1056 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1955, the Su-7 entered Soviet service in 1959 as a clear-weather, low-level strike aircraft. It saw combat in the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistani wars with Indian Air Force and Pakistani Air Force respectively, and with Egyptian forces in 1967 and 1973. Its demanding handling and limited fuel made it unpopular with pilots.
Variants
The Su-7B was the baseline; the Su-7BKL and Su-7BMK added rough-field capability with rocket-assisted takeoff. The Su-17 and Su-20/22 were swing-wing derivatives.
Where you'll see it
Exported to India, Egypt, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Afghanistan, and several other states; largely retired but some may exist in storage.
Related aircraft
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