Sukhoi Su-9

Sukhoi Su-9

Company type	Interceptor aircraft
Industry	Aerospace
Founded	1956
Headquarters	Soviet Union
Products	Military aircraft

This article is about the supersonic Su-9 "Fishpot". For the earlier subsonic interceptor, see Sukhoi Su-9 (1946).

The Sukhoi Su-9 (NATO reporting name: Fishpot) is a single-engine, all-weather interceptor equipped with missiles, developed by the Soviet Union.

Development

File:Su-9.jpg

Three Su-9 aircraft in 1982

During the Korean War, aerodynamic research conducted by TsAGI, the Soviet aerodynamic institute, identified several optimal jet fighter designs. The Su-9 originated from these studies and first took flight in 1956 under the prototype designation T-405. Developed concurrently with the Su-7 "Fitter", both aircraft were unveiled to Western observers at the Tushino Aviation Day on June 24, 1956, where the Su-9 earned the nickname Fitter-B. It officially entered operational service in 1959.

Approximately 1,100 units of the Su-9 were produced. Some airframes were reportedly upgraded to the Su-11 "Fishpot-C" standard. The Su-9 was never exported to any Soviet-aligned client states or Warsaw Pact members. By the 1970s, both remaining Su-9s and later Su-11s were withdrawn from frontline service. A number of these aircraft were retained for testing purposes or converted into remotely piloted vehicles functioning as unmanned aerial systems. The Su-9’s role was eventually supplanted by the more advanced Su-11 and superior interceptors such as the Su-15 "Flagon" and MiG-25 "Foxbat".

The combat history of the "Fishpot" remains largely undocumented. While it may have participated in intercepting reconnaissance flights, no confirmed public records exist regarding such engagements.

Primarily designed for interception duties, the Su-9 regularly conducted patrols along Soviet borders. Its most notable mission involved an attempt to intercept Francis Gary Powers’ U-2 spy plane on May 1, 1960, over Soviet airspace. Unarmed during this mission, the pilot received orders to ram the U-2. However, due to a significant speed disparity between the two aircraft, the ramming attempt failed. Low fuel levels compelled the pilot to disengage and proceed with his original flight plan. Captain Igor Mentyukov later asserted that his aircraft’s wake caused structural failure of the U-2 and questioned the official account attributing its downing to an SA-2 missile strike.

On September 4, 1959, a modified Su-9 designated T-431 and flown by Vladimir Sergeievitch Ilyushin set a world absolute altitude record at 28,852 meters (94,658 feet). Later that year in November, Ilyushin established several additional speed and altitude records with this same aircraft. This record was surpassed on December 6, 1959, when Commander Lawrence E. Flint Jr. achieved a zoom climb reaching 30,040 meters (98,557 feet) piloting an F4H-1 Phantom.

The airbase at Bobrovka served as the main storage site for retired Su-9s within the USSR. By 1981, satellite imagery revealed at least 243 Su-9 fighters parked at this facility as they were gradually phased out of service.

Design

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Sukhoi Su-9 displayed at the Monino museum

The Su-9's fuselage and tail configuration bore a strong resemblance to the Su-7, but instead of the latter’s swept wing, the "Fishpot" employed a 53° delta wing complemented by conventional slab tailplanes. It retained characteristic Sukhoi elements such as rear-fuselage air brakes and utilized the same Lyulka AL-7 turbojet engine and nose air intake as the Su-7. The radar system was housed within a translating shock cone at the nose.

Derived from earlier experimental work on the T-3 aircraft, the Su-9 closely mirrored this developmental model. Within Sukhoi, it was internally designated as the T-43.

The choice of a delta wing for the Su-9 was driven by its reduced drag at supersonic speeds. Additionally, this wing design provided increased internal volume, enabling a slight boost in fuel capacity over that of the Su-7. The aircraft could reach speeds up to Mach 1.8 at high altitude or approximately Mach 1.14 when carrying missiles. Despite these capabilities, its fuel fraction remained quite limited, restricting its operational range. The rotation speed during takeoff was notably higher than that of the Su-7, which itself required 360 km/h (225 mph). While the Su-7 featured heavy controls paired with forgiving flight characteristics, the "Fishpot" offered light and highly responsive controls but demanded greater pilot precision due to its less tolerant handling.

Equipped with a TsD-30 radar located in the shock cone, the Su-9 carried four K-5 (NATO reporting name AA-1 "Alkali") beam-riding air-to-air missiles. However, like other beam-riding missiles, the K-5’s effectiveness in air combat was severely limited. Subsequently, these were replaced by K-55/R-55 infrared homing short-range missiles. Unlike both the Su-7 and later models such as the Su-15, the Su-9 did not feature any onboard cannon. Nevertheless, it had two fuselage pylons intended for carrying external drop tanks.

A limited production run of about 50 units produced a two-seat trainer variant known as the Su-9U, which NATO designated as "Maiden." This version incorporated complete armament and radar systems with duplicated cockpit displays to facilitate comprehensive interception training for pilots. However, adding a second cockpit further reduced an already scarce fuel capacity, rendering it generally unsuitable for combat missions.

Due to numerous design similarities, the Su-9 has often been confused with the MiG-21. Key identifiers distinguishing the Su-9 include its larger size and distinctive bubble canopy.

Variants

Su-9 Development Line

T-405

The prototype version of what became the Su-9.

Su-9

The main production model with approximately 1,100 units manufactured.

Su-9U

A trainer variant equipped with standard avionics but lacking weapon systems or hardpoints; about 50 were built.

T-431

A specially modified Su-9 used in 1962 to establish a world record for absolute altitude.

Sukhoi Su-11

An enhanced design derived from the Su-9 featuring a slightly extended fuselage; ultimately superseded by the more advanced Sukhoi Su-15, which offered superior range and aerodynamic efficiency.

Operators

Template:USSR

• Soviet Anti-Air Defense

894th Fighter Aviation Regiment stationed at Ozernoye, Ukraine, from 1959 to 1979.

Specifications (Su-9)

File:Sukhoi Su-9.svg

Sukhoi Su-9

External links

• Su-9 information from NAPO (Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Association)
• Details on the Su-9 at Global Aircraft
• Su-9 overview from FAS