During the Korean War (1950-1953), the age of the jet-powered fighter had arrived. Soviet MiG-15s regularly tangled with American F-86 Sabres in a "duel for the skies", solidifying the benefits of swept-back wings and jet propulsion. While the MiG-15 proved an excellent platform in its own right during the conflict (particularly when piloted by Soviet airmen), it was only inevitable that Soviet researchers and engineers continue development of more capable types. The Sukhoi concern, in operation since 1939, began work on a pair of missile-armed, supersonic interceptors with swept wings. After extensive aerodynamic testing of various design elements concerning supersonic flight, work began on a pair of aircraft that would eventually become the Sukhoi Su-7 ("Fitter") and the Sukhoi Su-9 ("Fishpot").
In 1959, the Soviets introduced the Sukhoi Su-7 fighter and the type went on to become the primary Soviet Air Force fighter in inventory while also doubling in a limited strike role. Its basic configuration involved use of a slim, tubular fuselage with swept-back wings and a single turbojet engine. It was produced from 1957 until 1972 to which some 1,847 were ultimately manufactured with operational use spanning both Soviet allies and satellite nations within the Soviet sphere of influence. In practice, the aircraft proved capable though it suffered from a limited weapons set and equally limited operational ranges. NATO codenamed the Su-7 the "Fitter".
Developed in parallel to the Su-7 was the Su-9 - the dedicated interceptor form. The development initially appeared in 1956 under the prototype designation of "T-405" and also incorporated a slim, tubular fuselage - though with delta-wing surfaces for the main appendages - and a single engine fitting. The program gradually evolved to enter serial production as the "Su-9" to which 1,100 to 1,150 examples were produced (sources vary). The type was first identified (along with the Su-7) by the West in the public Tushino Aviation Day presentation of June, 1956. The Su-9 was formally adopted for service in the Soviet Air Force in 1959 to which NATO authorities assigned the codename of "Fishpot". Unlike the Su-7, the Su-9 would serve exclusively with the Soviet Air Force, primarily as part of the Soviet Anti-Aircraft Defense umbrella.
The power qualities of the Su-9 was quite good for, as an interceptor, the type was expected to reach operating altitudes within minutes, fly to the target area, engage and destroy enemy aerial targets - this most likely coming in the form of intruding American bombers (in the event of all-out war) or marauding high-altitude spy planes that consistently violated Soviet airspace.
As a radar-equipped interceptor, the Su-9 was an "all-missile" aircraft. She was typically fielded with a configuration of 4 x K-5 (AA-1 "Alkali") air-to-air missiles, two under each wing across a pair of hardpoints. Despite the advanced technology of radar and missiles at this point in history, the combination was not thoroughly accurate and the capabilities of the Su-9 would suffer the length of her career as a result. Two hardpoint positions under the fuselage (just aft of the cockpit) were plumbed for the carrying of fuel drop tanks for increased ranges. There was no internal cannon fitted into the design, limited her short-range combat prowess substantially.
As mentioned, the T-405 designation marked the Su-9 prototype. In production, the main definitive series mark became the basic "Su-9" designator. A modified version - the "Su-9U" - became a two-seat training conversion model which incorporated a second cockpit position with dual-controls for student and instructor seated in tandem. While retaining her combat capabilities (to certain extent), this variant lost some volume of internal fuel that severely restricted her operational ranges. Approximately 50 examples of this mark were produced and known under the codename of "Maiden" in NATO nomenclature. The "T-431" was a modified Su-9 developed to break the world altitude record - which it did in 1962 at 94,659 feet - bringing glory to Mother Russia for a time.
The Su-9 was further developed to become the Su-11 ("Fishpot-C") all-weather interceptor series. Externally similar to the Su-9, the Su-11 was of the same single-minded purpose though much upgraded from her basic Su-9 capabilities. Changes included a lengthened nose section, improved radar facilities and a more powerful Lyulka AL-7F-1 series turbojet engine with afterburner. Additionally, missile armament was upgraded though the mount still lacked use of an internal cannon for close-in work. Roughly 108 of this version were produced and, again, used solely by the Soviet Air Force. The Su-11 was introduced in 1964.
The Su-9 series managed only a short operational lifespan with the Soviet Air Defense Forces for technological advancements quickly sheltered the type from frontline service. The type was never exported (not even to Warsaw Pact allies) so her global reach was virtually non-existent - she was instead held at home to patrol and protect the vast Soviet airspace. While incorporating more fuel into her delta-wings than the parallel Su-7 design, the Su-9 still suffered from limited operational ranges considering the airspace she was charged with defending - such were the limitations of the early generation, fuel-thirsty turbojet engines. Pilots, however, lauded her flight characteristics though the mount was known to "weed out" pretenders from contenders so some experience in her nuances was required for ultimate success. The lack of internal cannon severely limited her tactical capabilities.
The Soviet Union discontinued use of the Su-9 in or around 1980 thanks to the arrival of more capable interceptors. Ultimately, all interceptor types were done in by improved surface-to-air missile capabilities and "air superiority" fighters beginning to take center stage. Out-of-service Su-9s were either scrapped, cannibalized or developed into aerial target drones for training - the latter becoming the death call for many-an-aircraft of the jet age.
A single, unarmed Su-9 attempted to ram the CIA's Lockheed U-2 spy plane of Francis Gary Powers in May of 1960. While the direct attempt was unsuccessful, the U-2 was eventually downed by Soviet ground-to-air missiles spawning the embarrassing and tension-filled "1960 U2 Incident". This incident did mark the first use of the Su-9 as an "interceptor" in a way.
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AIR-TO-AIR COMBAT
General ability to actively engage other aircraft of similar form and function, typically through guns, missiles, and/or aerial rockets.
INTERCEPTION
Ability to intercept inbound aerial threats by way of high-performance, typically speed and rate-of-climb.
57.0 ft (17.37 meters) Length
27.7 ft (8.43 meters) Width/Span
16.0 ft (4.88 meters) Height
19,004 lb (8,620 kilograms) Empty Weight
29,762 lb (13,500 kilograms) Maximum Take-Off Weight
+10,759 lb (+4,880 kg) Weight Difference
1 x Lyulka AL-7 turbojet engine developing 19,840 lb of thrust. Propulsion
STANDARD:
4 x K-5 (AA-1 "Alkali" air-to-air missiles under wings.
2 x Fuel drop tanks under fuselage
6 (2 for fuel) Hardpoints
T-405 - Prototype Model
Su-9 ("Fishpot") - Definitive Production Mark
Su-9U ("Maiden") - Two-Seat Trainer Conversion Model; second cockpit installed for instructor; limited fuel thusly limited range; combat-capable to an extent for full missile and radar capability retained.
T-431 - Developmental platform for the purpose of breaking world altitude record.
Su-11 - Further, advanced and improved development of the original Su-9 series.
Images
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Right side view of theSukhoi Su-9 Fishpot interceptor at rest
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