The quickest way of getting a supersonic interceptor into service was to mate a developed T-3 airframe with the R1L Spin Scan radar and the AA-1 Alkali (K-5M) missile. The Su-9 was developed from the mid-1950s T-3 tailed-delta prototype, a design evaluated against the swept-wing S-1 later adopted for service as the Su-7. Many of the Su-9 single-seaters have been converted into drones and extended in missile firings, but the Su-9U two-seat trainer was retained in service for conversion training of pilots assigned to the dwindling number of Su-11 units.īelow: The Su-9s ruggedness fits it for harsh operating conditions.Ībove: Ten tones of thrust help an Su-11 get airborne. As a front-line fighter it has largely been replaced by the newer Su-15, which retains the several common parts.
Performance: Max speed (both clean 36,000ft/11km) about 1,320mph (2,125km/h, Mach 2), (two tanks and AAMs), (Su-9) about 750mph (1,200km/h, Mach 1·14), (11) 840mph (1,350km/h, Mach 1·27) max initial climb (both) about 27,000ft (8·2km)/min service ceiling, from about 55,000ft (17·76km) for Su-9 with AAMs to 62,000ft (18·9km) for Su-11 clean range (both, high altitude, two tanks and AAMs) about 7 miles (1,125km).Īrmament: (9) Four K-5M (AA-1 Alkali) AAMs (9U) usually not fitted (11) two AA-3 Anab AAMs (normally one IR homing, one SAR homing).ĭevelopment: Having completed more than a quarter century of service with the Soviet Air Force, the Su-9/-11 series of interceptors is virtually obsolete.