Sukhoi T-3

T-3

Role: Interceptor
Manufacturer: Sukhoi OKB
First flight: 26 May 1956
Status: Prototype only
Number built: 3
Variants: Sukhoi Su-9

The Sukhoi T-3 was a prototype Soviet fighter aircraft.

Development

Starting in the early 1950s, the development of the T-3 proceeded in parallel with the S-1 which would eventually become the Sukhoi Su-7. While the S-1 was a conventional swept wing aircraft (S stood for strelovidniy, стреловидный, swept wing), the T-3 had a delta wing with a leading edge sweep of 57� (T stood for treugolniy, треугольный, delta wing). Aside from the wings, the two aircraft shared the basic design as well as the Lyulka AL-7 turbojet engine. Since the T-3 was intended to be an interceptor, it was fitted with the Almaz (Алмаз, Diamond) radar housed in the air intake. The prototype first flew on 26 May 1956.

The T-3 was ordered into production at Factory No.153 but events overtook it when a revised specification was issued for the Interceptor fighter role. Three aircraft were completed and transported by rail to the OKB-51 factory near Moscow, where only one was to fly in as-built condition and all three prototypes were modified for various test programmes, becoming, for example, the T-39, T-49, PT-7, PT-8 and other experimental aircraft. To investigate different radar radome configurations as well as develop radar and missile sub-systems, two of the prototypes were converted to become the PT-7 and PT-8. The PT-7 had a variable intake ramp, while the PT-8 had an extended nose with a translating centerbody. Although not proceede with, the T-3 served as the basis for what would eventually become the Sukhoi Su-9, forming the backbone of the PVO during the 1960's.

Specifications (T-3)

Data from Green

General characteristics

Crew: One
Length: 16.75 m (55 ft 11 in)
Wingspan: 8.43 m (27 ft 8 in)
Height: ()
Wing area: 24.2 m� (260.5 ft�)
Powerplant: 1x� Lyulka AL-7F turbojet
Dry thrust: 63.7 kN (14,320 lbf)
Thrust with afterburner: 88.8 kN (19,960 lbf)

Performance

Maximum speed: 2,100 km/h (1,135 kn, 1,305 mph, Mach 1.98)
Range: 1,840 km (995 nmi, 1145 mi)
Service ceiling: 18,000 m (59,055 ft)

Armament

2 x� Kaliningrad K-8 or Raduga K-9 air-to-air missiles

Avionics

Almaz radar

Related development

Sukhoi Su-7
Sukhoi Su-9

Comparable aircraft

A-4 Skyhawk
MiG-21

Gordon, Yefim. Sukhoi Interceptors”. Hinkley, Midland. 2004. ISBN 1 85780 180 6
Gunston, Bill. The Osprey Encyclopaedia of Russian Aircraft 1875 - 1995”. London, Osprey. 1995. ISBN 1 85532 405 9
Green, William. “The Great Book of Fighters”. 2001. MBI Publishing.ISBN 0760311943

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Source: WikiPedia