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.
NOTE: The Su-9 of 1959 shares the designation of the "Su-9" of 1946, both developed by the Sukhoi concern. The development of 1946, however, was a copy of the German wartime Messerschmitt Me 262 "Schwalbe" ("Swallow") twin-engined, single-seat jet fighter which made a limited appearance in World War 2 with some 1,430 produced. As such, the two designations should not be confused when possible.
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