Sukhoi Su-9 gallery

Design and development

While it bore a superficial resemblance to the German Messerschmitt Me 262, the Su-9 was not related to that aircraft. The first flight took place on 13 November 1946 and trials the following month proved promising.[1] Su-9 was an advanced design for the time with an ejection seat and a provision for JATO rockets (2x 11.27 kN {2,530 lbf} thrust for 8 seconds).[1] For the first time on a Soviet aircraft, the Su-9 utilized a brake parachute and unique wing-mounted air brakes. These were mounted between the ailerons and the engine nacelles and split above and below the wing.[1] The aircraft was revealed to the general public on 3 August 1947 at the Tushino Airfield.[2] Development of the Su-9 was hampered by the stigma associated with its resemblance to the Me 262. Competing aircraft designer Aleksandr Yakovlev played this fact against Sukhoi with Joseph Stalin.[2] The Su-9 was abandoned in favor of the more advanced Su-11 (LK).

General characteristics

Crew: One
Length: 10.57 m (34 ft 8 in)
Wingspan: 11.21 m (36 ft 9 in)
Height: 3.72 m (12 ft 2 in)
Wing area: 20.24 m² (217.87 ft²)
Empty weight: 4 060 kg (8,950 lb)
Loaded weight: 5 890 kg (12,990 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 6 380 kg (14,070 lb)
Powerplant: 2× Tumansky RD-10
Fuel capacity: 1 750 kg (3,860 lb)

Performance

Maximum speed: 885 km/h (480 knots, 550 mph) at 5 000 m (16,405 ft)
Range: 1 140 km (615 nm, 710 mi)
Service ceiling: 12,800 m (41,984 ft)
Rate of climb: 4.2 min to 5 000 m (16,405 ft)
Wing loading: 291 kg/m² (60 lb/ft²)
Thrust/weight: 0.31
Endurance: 1 hour 44 minutes

Armament

1x 37 mm Nudelman N-37 cannon with 30 rounds (1x 45 mm Nudelman N-45 could be fitted instead)
2x 23 mm Nudelman-Suranov NS-23 cannon with 200 rounds/gun
Up to 500 kg (1,100 lb) of bombs (1x FAB-500 or 2x FAB-250)