Fact File: the Su-7/17 Fitter Family at War

[Matt Wiser]

One of the more numerous Soviet Fighter-Attack Aircraft of the war:

The Su-7/17 Fitter Family in World War III


The Su-7 and Su-17 Fitter family saw extensive service in the Third World War, serving not just in the Soviet Air Force, but in service of a number of Soviet allies in North America, as well as in a number of continuing conflicts, such as the Iran-Iraq War. The aircraft also saw service in a number of postwar conflicts, and is still in limited service today.


Su-7A “Fitter-A” : Initial production version designed as an air superiority fighter. Replaced by MiG-21 in 1959 and retired in 1965. No combat.

Su-7B “Fitter-A”: Ground-attack version from 1960. Twin 30-mm NR-30 cannon, AL-7F turbojet, 4,410 pound weapon capacity on six hardpoints; bombs, rocket pods, external fuel tanks. Not nuclear capable.

Su-7BM “Fitter-A”: Improved ground-attack version from 1963: Upgraded AL-7F-1 tubojet, “wet' wings to enable external fuel tanks underwing, one pylon for the 8U69 5-KT nuclear gravity bomb, LABS system, SRD-5 ranging radar.

Su-7BKL “Fitter-A”: Rough-field capable version of BM: skids alongside main landing gear; provision for two JATO rockets, twin braking parachutes.

Su-7BK “Fitter-A” Export version of BM without nuclear capability and SRD-5M ranging radar.

Su-7U: “Moujik” Two-seat trainer of Su-7B with reduced fuel capacity.

Su-7UM “Moujik”: Two-seat trainer of Su-7BM

SU-7UK “Moujik: Two-seat trainer of Su-7BK

Su-7IG: Experimental version to test variable-geometry wings. First Soviet “Swing-wing” aircraft. Led to Su-17 family.



Shortcomings identified during the Su-7's service led the Soviet Air Force to ask Sukhoi for an improved version. After testing with the Su-7IG, which offered improvements in range, rough-field capability and handling, and payload, Sukhoi produced the Su-17, which entered SAF service in 1970.


Su-17 “Fitter-B” AL-7F engine, bulged dorsal spine for extra fuel, twin 30-mm NR-30 cannon. Produced 1969-73.

Su-17K: “Fitter-B” Export version for Egypt.

Su-17M “Fitter-C”: Main initial production version with AL-21F engine, new nav-attack system retaining Su-7BMK's SRD-5M ranging radar, twin pitot tubes, AOA vane. Export version designated Su-20 for Egypt, Poland, and Syria.

Su-17R “Fitter-C” Limited number of Su-17s wired for reconnaissance pods. Export versions designated Su-20R.

Su-17M2 “Fitter-D” Nose extension to improve pilot visibility, Ranging radar deleted, Laser rangefinder and marked target seeker, improved aiming avionics, ILS, DSSS-7 Doppler nav radar. Export version designated Su-22 “Fitter-F” with Tumansky R-29BS-300 engine.

Su-17UM: “Fitter-E”: Two-seat trainer with port cannon deleted and reduced internal fuel, but otherwise fully combat capable. Export version with R-29 engine designated Su-20U.

Su-17M3 “Fitter-H”: Based on Su-17UM airframe, but with avionics bay and internal fuel in place of rear cockpit. Launch rail for AA-2 or AA-8 AAMs added between existing wing pylons, LRMTS removed and replaced with Doppler radar. Export version with Fitter-D avionics designated Su-22M2 “Fitter-J” and export version with M3 Avionics desginated Su-22M3.

Su-17UM “Fitter-E” Trainer version with Su-17M avionics suite. Export version with R-29 engine designated Su-22UM3 and export with AL-21F as Su-22UM3K.

Su-17M4 “Fitter-K” Final production version with upgraded avionics including RSDN (LORAN equivalent) nav aids, INS, radio compass, laser rangefinder. PGM capability added with Laser-guided bombs, AS-7/9/10/11/14 ASMs, Al-21F-3 engine.


Wartime Users:

Soviet Air Force: Used in both Northern and Southern Theaters. Primary SAF ground-attack aircraft alongside MiG-27 in 1985-86. Also used in Far East to deliver tactical nuclear strikes (reportedly) against PLA targets in Manchuria. Served throughout the war in both theaters.

Czechoslovakia: Three regiments Su-22M4 not deployed to North America, with combat in 1989. One Su-7 Regiment deployed 1986. Destroyed during Operation PRAIRIE FIRE 1987 and not reconstituted.

Cuba: Two Regiments with Su-22M4 formed for duty in North America, with combat debut in 1986. One regiment remained in Cuba. Survivors destroyed during National Uprising in 2009.

East Germany: Two Regiments (JBG-77 and MFG-28) in East Germany, seeing combat in 1989. One regiment formed (JBG-89) for duty in North America. All with Su-22M4

Libya: Several squadrons saw combat, either in North America or against the U.S. Sixth Fleet. Survivors expended in NATO's Libya campaign in 2011.

Mexico: A number of Su-7s were provided to the Revolutionary Air Force of Mexico before and during the war from Soviet storage. Ex-Soviet and ex-Cuban Su-17s left in Mexico were flown by FARM on COIN duties until Baja War in 2010, where most were destroyed. A few survivors believed still flyable.

North Korea: One Su-7 Regiment deployed to Northern Theater, mainly on COIN operations.

Poland: One Su-7 Regiment and two Su-22M4 Regiments in Poland. Combat in 1989. One Regiment with Su-20s deployed to North America, where they suffered heavy losses. Survivors reequipped with Su-22M4.,and destroyed during fighting in 1988. Remainder saw combat in 1989.


Postwar users:

Far East Republic: Continued in FER AF service, with a number of Su-17M4s upgraded by Samsung Aerospace of Korea. Combat in 2010 fall of Rump USSR.

Kazakhstan: Kazakh AF has about 40 still in service.

Rump USSR: Limited number in service, retired prior to fall of Soviet State in 2010.

Russian Republic: In both Russian Republic AF and Russian Navy service. Combat in 2010.

Ukraine: Primary Ukrainian AF strike aircraft, with combat in 2010.

The aircraft is also still in service with Vietnam, Syria, Peru (exported in 1977-81) Bulgaria, Turkemenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Captured aircraft:

A number of Su-17/20/22 aircraft fell into Allied hands during the war, either through defection or when airfields were overrun. USAF evaluation at Edwards AFB and Tonopah Test Range. Later passed on to various museums. At least two defecting examples flown to Canadian territory were sent to England, where one was known to be flown at Boscombe Down. One in RAF museum, the other in the Imperial War Museum at Duxford. One ex-East German example also displayed at German AF Museum at former RAF Gatow in Berlin.