The Anab missile became available in two distinct forms - one semi-active, radar-guided and the other InfraRed (IR) homing. With four total hardpoints , the Su-11 could be outfitted with two missile types each. The radar allowed the interceptor to be used for all-weather sorties but direction to the target still required reliance on ground-based radar which limited the tactical value of the Su-11. Additionally, its speed, radar, and armament made it exclusively a high-altitude counter against aerial threats - these points accounting for the rather low production figure (comparatively the Su-9 was completed in over 1,100 units).
As such, the Su-11 was something of a limited success in the Air Force stable and only replaced some of the older Su-9s in service. Through-and-through it remained an interim interceptor design at best and was retired during the early 1980s as more advanced aircraft became available to the Air Force. The series was also never exported to Soviet allies of the period.
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