Sukhoi Su-8

The Sukhoi Su‑8 was a Soviet prototype ground‑attack aircraft developed late in World War II. Designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau under the direction of Pavel Sukhoi, work began in 1943 to replace the aging I‑15 and I‑16 fighters in the tactical strike role. The aircraft featured a rugged all‑metal airframe, a long, tapered wing and a spacious, armored cockpit that could accommodate a pilot and a navigator. Power was provided by two Shvetsov M‑71 radial engines delivering roughly 2,000 horsepower each, giving the Su‑8 a top speed of about 660 km/h and a service ceiling of 9,500 meters. Its internal bomb bay held up to 1,500 kg of ordnance, while external hardpoints allowed additional rockets or bombs. Protective armor plating shielded the engine nacelles and fuel tanks, making the Su‑8 suitable for low‑level attacks against heavily defended targets. Although flight tests demonstrated good handling and survivability, the project was cancelled in 1946 when the Soviet Union shifted focus to jet propulsion. The Su‑8 nonetheless influenced later Sukhoi designs, demonstrating concepts of heavy armor, twin‑engine power and versatile payload that reappeared in the Su‑7 and subsequent fighter‑bombers, marking an important transitional step in Soviet aviation history.

Sukhoi

Classification

Production & History

Design & Classification