Su-17M

The Sukhoi Su‑17M is a Soviet‑designed, variable‑sweep wing fighter‑bomber that entered service in the early 1970s. Developed from the earlier Su‑7 and the prototype Su‑17 (originally designated Su‑7IG), the “M” (modernised) version incorporated a new blended wing‑body, enlarged fuselage, and upgraded avionics. Its swing‑wing mechanism could be set between 20° and 67°, allowing high‑speed low‑altitude dash performance and slower, more stable handling for ground‑attack missions. Powered by a single Lyulka AL‑21F‑3 afterburning turbo‑jet, the aircraft could reach Mach 1.8 at altitude and carry up to 4 000 kg of mixed ordnance, including rockets, bombs, and precision‑guided munitions. Introduced to the Soviet Air Forces in 1972, the Su‑17M saw extensive export to Warsaw‑Bloc allies and later to nations such as India, Iraq, Syria and Vietnam. Its robust airframe, simplicity of maintenance, and ability to operate from rough fields made it a workhorse in regional conflicts throughout the Cold War and into the 1990s. The type’s legacy lies in demonstrating the operational value of variable‑geometry wings for multirole combat, influencing later designs and cementing Sukhoi’s reputation as a leading fighter‑bomber manufacturer. It remained in limited service with several air forces until the early 2020s, illustrating its enduring adaptability.

Sukhoi

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Design & Classification