Sukhoi Su-17M2

The Sukhoi Su‑17M2 is a Soviet‑origin, single‑seat, variable‑sweep wing fighter‑bomber that entered service in the early 1970s. Developed from the earlier Su‑7 attack aircraft, the Su‑17 series incorporated a swing‑wing mechanism that allowed the wing sweep angle to be adjusted in flight, giving the aircraft both high‑speed, low‑drag performance at Mach 1.6 and better low‑speed handling for ground‑attack missions. The M2 version, first delivered to the Soviet Air Forces in 1978, featured an upgraded Lyulka AL‑21F‑3 turbojet with 17 kN of thrust, new digital navigation and attack computers, a laser rangefinder, and improved avionics that supported all‑weather precision strikes. Armament included a 30 mm GSh‑30‑1 cannon and up to four external hardpoints carrying rockets, bombs, or anti‑ship missiles such as the Kh‑31. More than 1,300 Su‑17M2s were built, serving in the USSR and numerous Warsaw‑bloc allies; NATO assigned it the reporting name “Fitter‑C.” Its versatility, relatively low operating cost, and ability to operate from austere airfields made it a workhorse in conflicts from Afghanistan to the Gulf War, cementing its legacy as one of the most widely exported Soviet swing‑wing combat aircraft. It remains a subject of study for modern variable‑geometry designs.

Sukhoi

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