Sukhoi P-1

The Sukhoi P-1 was a prototype Soviet interceptor.

P-1
Role Interceptor
Manufacturer Sukhoi OKB
First flight 12 July 1957[1]
Status Prototype only
Number built 1

Development
Sukhoi P-1 silhouette

Sukhoi began design studies for what was to become Izdeliye P in 1954 to meet an urgent request from the Ministry of Aviation Industry (MAP – Ministerstvo Aviatsionnoy Promyshlennosti – ministry of aviation industry). The early studies considered crew size, armament (missiles, cannon or both), and powerplant (with a choice of Lyul'ka AL-9 or AL-11, Klimov VK-9F, Kuznetsov P-2 or Kuznetsov P-4 engines).[1]

The P-1 was designed for the Uragan-1 (Hurricane-1) collision-course intercept radar, which was quite complex and bulky, requiring a crew of two and air intakes either side of the fuselage rather than at the nose, retaining the delta wing of the Sukhoi T-3 with 57-degree leading edge sweep. Although the production aircraft was intended to use the Lyul'ka AL-9 engine, then in development, the prototype was fitted with a Lyulka AL-7F of lower power.[2]

The P-1 first flew in July 1957 but underwent only limited flight testing due to unavailability of the intended powerplant and ongoing problems with the radar and missile systems as well as lukewarm enthusiasm from the VVS (Voyenno-Vozdooshnyye Seely – Soviet air forces). OKB-51 persisted for some time trying to raise enthusiasm for the P-1 by proposing an even bigger engine, the Tumansky R-15-300 afterburning turbojet, with singular lack of success. The sole P-1 prototype was relegated to experimental work and later scrapped.[1]

A second prototype, the P-2 was studied, powered by twin Klimov VK-11 engines in the rear fuselage, but this version was cancelled at the mock-up review stage.[1]

Specifications (P-1 as designed)

Data from Green,[2] Sukhoi Interceptors[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 21.3 m (69 ft 11 in)
  • Wingspan: 9.8 m (32 ft 2 in)
  • Wing area: 44 m2 (470 sq ft)
  • Gross weight: 10,750 kg (23,700 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Lyulka AL-7F afterburning turbojet engine, 67 kN (15,100 lbf) thrust dry, 87.8 kN (19,730 lbf) with afterburner

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 2,050 km/h (1,270 mph, 1,110 kn)
  • Maximum speed: Mach 1.93
  • Range: 2,000 km (1,200 mi, 1,100 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 19,500 m (64,000 ft)

Armament

  • Rockets: 50x ARS-57 57 mm (2.2 in) un-guided folding-fin rockets in pop-up launchers around the fuselage nose
  • Missiles: 2 × K-7 radar-guided missiles

Avionics

  • AP-38Zh-1B autopilot
  • pantera fire-control radar
  • AEK-54 ADF
  • MRP-56P marker beacon Rx
  • RV-U long-range radar altimeter
  • SOD-57M DME
  • GIK-1 gyro-flux gate compass
  • AGI-1 artificial horizon
  • RSIU-4V VHF
  • SPU-2 intercom
  • Gorizont-1 (Horizon-1) GCI
  • SRZO-2M Kremniy-2M IFF
  • Sirena-2 RWR

References
  1. Gordon, Yefim (2004). Sukhoi Interceptors. Hinkley: Midland. pp. 43–45. ISBN 978-1-85780-180-4.
  2. Green, William; Swanborough, Gordon (2001). The Great Book of Fighters. MBI Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7603-1194-3.

Further reading
  • Gunston, Bill (1995). The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995. London: Osprey. ISBN 9781841760964.
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