The Variants
The Su-7 was the first production Fitter fighter and was the base model intended for the tactical air superiority role. It was developed from the S-2 prototype and produced in 132 examples from 1957 to 1960.
The Su-7B became the dedicated ground-attack variant capable of high-speed performance in the low-level role. These were developed from the S-22 pre-production aircraft and were built between 1960 and 1962.
The Su-7BM became an upgraded Fitter, this mounting an all-new AL-7F-1 series turbojet engine. To help promote better range, these Su-7s were given two additional hardpoints for use with external fuel tanks. Additional fuel was added within the wings (making them "wet" wings) and an all-new fuel system was integrated. External "piping" was affixed to the sides of the upper fuselage and would later help Western observers in identifying this new Fitter type. The Su-7BM was cleared for carrying nuclear weapons in the form of conventional drop bombs. Production occurred between 1963 and 1965.
The Su-7UM became the designation for the two-seat trainer version of the Su-7BM. The export model of the Su-7BM fell under the Su-7BMK designation and production of that type ran from 1967 to 1971. The two-seat trainer of the Su-7BMK became the Su-7UMK.
The export Su-7BMK was fitted with a Lyulka AL-7F-1 turbojet engine yielding 21,164lbs of thrust. Performance included a top speed of 720 miles per hour (Mach 0.95), an operational ceiling of 42,650 feet and a combat radius of 285 miles. Armament remained the twin 30mm cannons with an ordnance load of up to 5,512lbs.
The Su-7BKL (Sukhoi designation of S-22KL) was a more hardy version of the Fitter family intended for "rough" field operations. Small skis were added to either side of the main landing gear legs (straddling their respective wheels) while two brake chutes were installed to help promote shorter landings. Shorter take-offs were addressed through the implementation of SPRD-110 series JATO (Jet-Fuel Assisted Take-Off) rockets that could bring to bear 13,300lbs of thrust. Production of the Su-7BKL began in 1965 and ended in 1972.
The Su-7BKL was fitted with a Lyulka Al-7F-1 afterburning turbojet engine. Standard thrust was rated at 14,980lbf while afterburner brought this power up to 22,150lbf. Maximum speed was 715 miles per hour (Mach 0.94) with a ferry range of 1,025 miles. Service ceiling was listed at 57,740 feet with a rate-of-climb equaling 31,500 feet-per-minute.
The Su-7U became a two-seat trainer featuring tandem seating for a student and an instructor. Installation of the second cockpit forced the deletion of an internal fuel tank thusly decreasing the aircraft's range further. The prototype first flew on October 25th, 1965 and production lasted from 1966 into 1972. NATO assigned the codename of "Moujik" to the aircraft and the Su-7UMK designation served as a marking for the export version.
The Su-7IG became a designation used to signify the experimental airframe meant to test out a new variable geometry wing system ("swing-wing") that would ultimately be used on the production models of the similar-looking Su-17 (the Su-7IG was essentially its prototype). Another test model became the 100LDU, a modified Su-7U production model fitting canards and a fly-by-wire system that would later assist in the development of the forthcoming Su-27 "Flanker" series.
Su-7 Operations
As a staple of the early and middle Cold War years, the Su-7 was due for combat actions somewhere around the volatile globe. Egypt accepted delivery of the type for their air force and was quick to field them against Israel in the Six Day War of 1967 and the combat actions that followed in the ensuing years. The Six Day War (June 5th through June 10th) was a combined military operation by Egypt, Jordan and Syria (with support from other Arab states) to decimate Israel. Naturally, Israel retaliated against the odds to earn themselves an overwhelming victory.
In the Indo-Pak War of 1971, India fielded the aircraft against Pakistani forces. These were primarily used as strike aircraft called upon to run round-the-clock sorties. It was in this conflict that the Su-7's resilience proved a major selling point for many-an-Indian pilot returned safely to their airbases with extensive airframe damage from Pakistani anti-aircraft guns, cannons and missiles. Though these Su-7 purchases by the IAF have seemingly always been met with mixed reviews by those involved, few can doubt that the aircraft fulfilled a vital role in replacing the aging French and British jet fighters it kept in the stable before the conflict. Indian Su-7s operated in conjunction with Soviet-made Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 "Fishbed" fighters, the latter supplying vital air cover.
All in the Family
The design of the Su-7 was successful for the air forces that utilized her but it was a design not without inherent limitations. As such, the type was furthered in the similar "swing-wing" Su-17 Fitter and ultimately leading up to the Su-20 and Su-22 developments as well. These aircraft are detailed elsewhere on this site.
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