Soviet "Blackbird" : Sukhoi-115

[Lrrr]

***Edit, putting latest image in first post***



Despite Mikoyan being awarded the fast interceptor contract with the MiG-25, Sukhoi was an equivalent research leader in M3+ combat by the late 60s.  Thought I'd follow the idea that Ye-155P would have to face off against S-6P.

Apparently S-6 was the tandem project and T-6 was the side-by-side spin offs of Su-15.   






Noticed that the S-6 planforms looked very MiG-31 like, but with a low-mid wing instead of a shoulder wing and single fin.   The upside-down intakes are interesting on one model.  My guess is they felt a WSO needed better visibility and this was a stepping stone for the side-by-side seating in the eventual Su-24.  So for the interceptor, we'll just brush past that.  Also apparently, the MiG-31 style wing would need rocket assist to take off with the intended air-ground load for a frontal strike bomber.  Again, ignoring these needs since this will be a MiG-31 style interceptor, and would only take off from certain runways strategically positioned.  For frontal purposes, T-6 continued studies with lift-jets came later with the first side-by-sides, and then finally the swing wing. 

Using MiG-31 in 1:72.

WHIF:
Su-15 was already a M2.5 Interceptor.  Sukhoi wanted to work on the M3+ escort to the T-4 before anyone else.  Similar thought process to F-108 Rapier / B-70 Valkyrie pairing by North American.   

The study split into T-6 strike aircraft as well, which then did its own evaluation on intakes and wing designs. 

Proof of concept Su-15 with R-15 turbojets flew in 1964 against the Ye-155.  Just as the Ye-155 needed 6 years of improvements to go into service, so did the S-6P in order to become the Su-24P, but different enough from eventual strike fighter name changed to Su-115 interceptor.  Production Su-115 ready for service in 1970. 

Similar to MiG-25, could only achieve M3+ with the air 'sneaking' around the turbojet in the square inlet box and creating a ramjet effect, but without the SR-71 nosecone to protect the blades. 

Solved in 1975 with the Kolesov RD-36-31, a smaller diameter version of what Sukhoi used on T-4.  T-4 was designed for M3.0 with armament.  It's little brother, the Su-115, able to travel at M3.0 with 2 missiles, M2.8 with 4 missiles.  M3.2 in the Interceptor version clean and M3.4 in the reconnaissance version.  RD-36 was up to the task of high speeds and temperatures, as it could push the Tu-144 to M2.2 with no afterburner. 

Su-115M was basically a MiG-31 with M3+ capabilities due to Sukhoi's parallel experience with the T-4 project.  T-4 cancelled, but Su-115 lived on.  Beating out MiG-25 and Tu-148 concepts. 

Effectiveness along its life span similar to MiG-25.  Smerch radar was effective against other Gen3 aircraft such as F-4 and F-5.  Where it lacked against the Gen 4 aircraft, the Su-115M picked up.  Zaslon system made it a Gen 4 aircraft, first with phased array, first to track multiple targets simultaneously at all speeds and altitudes. 

[Lrrr]

Soviet *Blackbird*,  haha. 

Primer was flat black.  I have more plans for the paint, but looks pretty cool decked out like a Lockheed. 

1) Low wing. 

2) Single tail.

3) Nose is canted downward by about 5-degrees like the 2nd rendering in first post. 

4) The R-40s that came with the kit I turned into a sort of wingtip datalink / ECM pod like on the MiG-31M.  The R-33s will be slung underneath, and something akin to R-23 going under each wing. 

[PR19_Kit]

 

Yes, I like the look of that, very much.

[Dizzyfugu]

That works well, esp. with the wing tip additions - similar to the MiG-25 prototypes.

[Lrrr]

Thank you Gents,

Here it is much further along in detail.

[PR19_Kit]

That's looking suitably lethal for sure. 

[zenrat]