Sukhoi Su-6

The Sukhoi Su‑6 was a Soviet ground‑attack prototype developed in the early 1940s and built by the Pavał Suchi design bureau, a little‑known off‑shoot of the main Sukhoi plant that emerged during the war to meet urgent demands for close‑support aircraft. First flown on 19 March 1943, the Su‑6 incorporated a powerful 1,970 hp Shvetsov ASh-82F radial engine, a low‑wing monoplane layout, and heavily armored forward fuselage to protect the pilot and ammunition. Its armament suite typically included two 23 mm VYa‑23 cannons, two 20 mm ShVAK cannons, and provision for up to 500 kg of rockets or bombs under the wings. The aircraft’s aerodynamic design featured a wide‑chord wing with split flaps that gave it excellent low‑altitude maneuverability and a high rate of climb, qualities highly valued by Soviet ground‑forces. Although the Su‑6 demonstrated superior performance to the contemporary Ilyushin Il‑2 in many trials, production was halted in favor of the already‑mass‑produced Il‑2, and only a handful of prototypes were built. Nevertheless, the Su‑6 left a lasting imprint on post‑war Soviet design philosophy, influencing the development of later armored attack platforms such as the Su‑25, and it remains a celebrated example of innovative wartime engineering.

Pavał Suchi

Classification

Dimensions

Performance

Production & History

Design & Classification