Sukhoi Su-9 "Fishpot"
Sukhoi · Soviet Union · first flew 1957 · fighter
The Sukhoi Su-9 was a Soviet all-weather interceptor with a pure delta wing and a nose-mounted radar, built to counter high-altitude Western bombers. It was the first Soviet operational aircraft capable of Mach 2.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, delta |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Single turbojet in a slim fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Large conical nose inlet for Uragan radar
- Pure delta wing with no horizontal tailplane
- Single turbojet in a slim fuselage
The large round nose intake, pure delta planform without a separate horizontal tail, and single engine make it visually similar to the Mirage III but larger and with Soviet-style construction details.
Specifications
- The Sukhoi Su-9 has a length of 17.37 m (57 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8.43 m (28 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 2230 km/h (1386 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed in the mid-1950s following evaluation of captured German and American aerodynamic research, the Su-9 first flew in 1957 and entered service in 1960. It carried four AA-1 Alkali beam-riding missiles and was directed by ground controllers. Production reached approximately 1,100 aircraft before the improved Su-11 replaced it.
Variants
The Su-9 was the single-seat interceptor; the Su-9U was the two-seat combat trainer. The Su-11 was a development with the more capable Oryol radar and R-98 missiles.
Where you'll see it
Operated exclusively by the Soviet Air Defence Forces (PVO) through the 1960s and into the 1970s before retirement; never exported.
Related aircraft
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