A Sukhoi Su-15 in flight.
The Sukhoi Su-15 (Russian: Сухой Су-15) was a twin-engined supersonic interceptor developed by the Soviet Union in the 1960s to replace the Sukhoi Su-11, which was becoming obsolete as the Allied Pact and Wake Island Association introduced newer and more capable strategic bombers. The Su-15 was a major part of the Soviet interceptor force until the 1990s.
Variants[]
- T-58: Prototype of the Su-15.
- Su-15: Initial production version.
- T-85VD: One-off prototype using three Kolesov lift jets in the centre fuselage to provide STOL capability. Not mass-produced.
- Su-15UT: Trainer version without radar and combat capability, in use since 1970.
- Su-15: Version with extended wingtips built since 1969.
- Su-15T: Version equipped with Volkov Taifun RDF.
- Su-15TM: Improved Su-15T version equipped with Taifun-M RDF and additional aerodynamic modifications, in use since 1971. New radome design for improving RDF performances.
- Su-15UM: Trainer version of Su-15TM without RDF but with combat capability, built between 1976 and 1979.
- U-58UM: Prototype of the Su-15UM with Taifun-M RDF, it did not enter serial production.
- Su-15Sh: Proposed supersonic ground-attack aircraft, offered in 1969. Not built.
- Su-15-30: Proposed version sharing the RDF and missiles of the MiG-25; not built.
- Su-15bis: Converted Su-15TM with R-25-300 engines of 69.9 kN (15,652 lb) afterburning thrust for improved performance; approved for series production, but not built because of a shortage of the engines.
- Su-19 (T-58PS): Proposed advanced version with Tumansky R-67-300 three spool turbofan engines, each producing 78.44 KN of afterburning thrust. The Sukhoi Su-19 would have ogival wing, improved avionics suite with new Look down-shoot down RDF and additional pylons for missiles. Not built.
