SUKHOI SU-15 (1949)

The 'Sukhoi Su-15' ('Aircraft P') was a prototype Soviet all-weather interceptor. The name was later reused for an entirely different 1960s interceptor, see Sukhoi Su-15.

Contents

Development

Specifications (Su-15)

References

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Development

The Su-15 was an early attempt at an all-weather jet-powered interceptor. Its development was ordered by the Soviet government in March 1947. The first prototype was completed on 25 October 1948 — only four months after production had started. It flew on 11 January 1949. In testing, Su-15 reached 1032 km/h (557 knots, 641 mph; Mach 0.888) at 4550 m (14,925 ft) and 985 km/h (532 knots, 612 mph; Mach 0.926) at 10950 m (35,925 ft), but experienced excess vibration at speeds in excess of Mach 0.87. During 39th flight on 3 June 1949, the aircraft developed severe vibration, forcing the test pilot S.N. Anokhin to eject. The program was subsequently terminated, and the second prototype was not completed^[1].
The Su-15 was an all-metal mid-wing monoplane with a 35° swept wing. The aircraft had several very unusual design features. Its twin Klimov RD-45 engines were positioned in tandem rather than side-by-side, due to their big diameter. The front engine sat low with exhaust under the middle of the fuselage. The rear engine nozzle was at the tip of the aft fuselage. The cockpit had to be offset to the left to make room for the air intake ducting for the rear engine.^[2]

Specifications (Su-15)

References

1. Istoriia konstruktskii samoletov v SSSR, 1938-1950 gg. (3 izd.), Shavrov V.B., , , Mashinostroenie, 1994, ISBN 5217004770
2. The Great Book of Fighters, , W, Green, MBI Publishing, 2001, ISBN 0760311943

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