Sukhoi Su-18

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The Sukhoi Su-18 (Russian Сухой Су -18) was a project for a multi-purpose fighter aircraft based on the Su-17. The collapse of the Soviet Union prevented the realization.

History
In order to improve the performance of the fighter-bomber Su-7B at low speeds and during take-off / landing, the OKB Sukhoi developed in 1963 with the help of ZAGI a demonstrator with variable swing-wing technology. The Su-7IG (internal designation S-22I, NATO designation "Fitter-B"), converted from a series Su-7BM, had fixed internal parts of the wing with movable outer segments, which at 28 °, 45 ° or 62 °. could be swiveled.

The production aircraft was called Su-17 (NATO designation "Fitter-C", factory designation S-32). Apart from the new wing, it differed from its predecessor Su-7 by a new top and a rear fuselage for additional fuel and avionics. The Su-17 first flew on July 1, 1969.

The Su-17 saw several developmental stages and ended with the Su-17 / 22M3 and Su-17 / 22M4; The latter completed its maiden flight in 1980 and the last variants were produced until 1990.

The Su-22M4 was also commissioned by the Soviet Naval Fleet Forces (Russian Авиация военно-морского флота, Aviazija wojenno-morskovo flota, literally "aviation of the military sea fleet"). From the beginning it was clear that the guy did not have enough tactical strike capability, especially against sea targets. The tactical bomber Su-24 was an option, but it was complex and expensive, so a modernization of the Su-17 was considered. The main requirements were more powerful radars tailored to a marine environment and a better / more modern engine, especially with better fuel efficiency.

The OKB Sukhoi took over the task in 1982. The design team tried effectively from as many proven Su-17/22-elements to create a "Su-24-Light". The project was given the internal name S-54D. The missionary avionics should include the "kittens" facility, a slimmed down "Puma" navigation and assault system optimized for the marine environment. This system complex consisted of two superimposed Orion A radar scanners for navigation / attack, a dedicated relief terrain radar radar for the automatic control of flights at low and extremely low altitudes, and an Orbita 10-58 on-board computer.

It quickly became apparent that the original Su-17/22 airframe with nasal air inlet and central shock cone did not provide enough space for the radar antennas. The OKB Sukhoi had to modify the entire nose area to mount a larger radome. This radically modified aircraft was called T-54DM and was introduced in 1984 as a draft.

To make room, the box-shaped air intakes were moved to the flanks and wing roots, eliminating the original NR-30 guns. As a positive side effect, the top speed and supersonic power were increased as the fixed nose cone of the Su-17M4 was replaced with effective, adjustable distributor plates (similar to the design of the interceptor Su-15) in the new air intakes, giving a top speed of the new aircraft at altitudes of over 2,000 km / h. On the other hand, the space could be used for the original air duct around the cockpit for avionics and other mission equipment, including a 30mm cannon GSch-30-1 in the lower front fuselage with a 150-round magazine against ground and air targets. Due to the higher weight at the bow, the Su-18 had a nose gear with two wheels and mudguard to prevent the ingestion of foreign bodies.

Regarding the engine, the Su-17 Ljulka AL-21F-3 afterburner engine was to be replaced by the new and highly promising Sojus R-79F-100 turbofan which, despite fuel consumption, provides about 15% more thrust than the original AL-21F Provided was not much better and reliability remained a serious problem.

It stayed with a project. The conditional operational capability of the Su-24, the abandonment of Soviet military aviation by jet aircraft with only one engine and the policy of detente along with the financial crisis and the collapse of the USSR made this project die quickly.

The development of the Su-18 is comparable to the Chinese development of the MiG-19 to the Nanchang Q-5 or the Shenyang J-8 ("Finback-A") to the J-8B ("Finback-B").

Parameters

 * Maximum speed: 1400 km (755 kn) at sea level, 1,860 km (1,005 kn, M 1,7) at altitude
 * Range:1,150 km combat range in Hi-Lo-Hi attack with 2,000 kg of war load; Range: 2,300 km (1,240 nm, 1,430 mi)
 * Peak height: 14,200 m
 * Climbing speed: 230 m / s
 * Surface load: 443 kg / m²
 * Thrust / Weight: 0.68
 * Maximum load: 7g
 * Lifetime of the airframe: 2,000 flight hours, 20 years

Arment

 * 1 × 30 mm GSch 30-1 cannon, 150 RPG in the lower anterior trunk
 * Up to 4000 kg at ten points (three below the fixed part of each wing, four at the fuselage sides), including Ch-23 (AS-7 "Kerry"), Ch-25 (AS-10 "Karen"), Ch 29 (AS-14 "Kedge"), Ch-31A & P (AS-17 "Krypton") and Ch-58 (AS-11 "Kilter") as well as electro-optic and laser-guided bombs, drop bombs, cluster bombs, cannon tanks SPPU-22- 01, ECM tanks, napalm tanks and nuclear weapons.