Soviet Era Fighter Jets

Exploring List of Soviet Era Fighter Jets & Manufacturers

by Devon Henry

Discover the legacy of Soviet era fighter jets with our comprehensive guide. Explore iconic aircraft from Beriev, Ilyushin, Lavochkin, Mikoyan, Myasishchev, Sukhoi, Tupolev, Yakovlev, and Mil. Uncover their historical significance and technological prowess in aviation history.

What is Soviet Era Fighter Jets?

What is Soviet Era Fighter Jets?
What is Soviet Era Fighter Jets?

MiG refers to a group of Soviet military fighter aircraft created by a design bureau established in 1939 by Artem Mikoyan (M) and Mikhail Gurevich (G). Soviet-era fighter jets refer to the military aircraft developed and used by the Soviet Union during the Cold War and post-Cold War periods. These fighter jets were produced by renowned Soviet aircraft manufacturers like Mikoyan, Sukhoi, Tupolev, and others. They were designed for various roles such as air superiority, ground attack, reconnaissance, and interception. Famous examples include the MiG-15, MiG-21, Su-27, and Tu-95. These aircraft not only showcased Soviet technological advancements in aviation but also played significant roles in various conflicts and geopolitical tensions of the time. Soviet-era fighter jets are noted for their distinct designs, capabilities, and contributions to the history of military aviation.

History

The history of Soviet-era fighter jets spans several decades of military aviation development under the Soviet Union. Starting in the early 20th century, Soviet aircraft manufacturers like Mikoyan, Sukhoi, and Yakovlev began designing fighter planes for defense and combat. During World War II, iconic aircraft like the Yak-3 and Il-2 played crucial roles in Soviet air superiority against Nazi forces. Post-war, the Cold War era saw rapid advancements with jets like the MiG-15 and MiG-21, known for their speed and agility. These jets were not only symbols of Soviet military prowess but also influenced global aviation technology. Later developments like the Su-27 and Tu-95 showcased Soviet innovation in long-range bombers and air superiority fighters. The legacy of Soviet-era fighter jets continues to impact modern aviation, reflecting a significant chapter in military history and technological progress.

List of Soviet Era Fighter Jets Manufacturers

The “List of Soviet Era Fighter Jets Manufacturers” includes key names in Soviet aviation history. Beriev made amphibious planes. Ilyushin focused on bombers and transport aircraft. Lavochkin built fighters like the LaGG-3 and La-5. Mikoyan created famous fighters like the MiG-15 and MiG-21. Myasishchev made bombers and reconnaissance planes. Sukhoi designed fighters and bombers such as the Su-27 and Su-25. Tupolev crafted bombers like the Tu-95 and Tu-160. Yakovlev produced fighters and trainers like the Yak-1 and Yak-9. Mil specialized in helicopters like the Mi-24 and Mi-8. These companies played vital roles in Soviet military aviation during the Cold War and beyond.

  1. Mikoyan
  2. Sukhoi
  3. Tupolev
  4. Yakovlev
  5. Ilyushin
  6. Lavochkin
  7. Beriev
  8. Myasishchev
  9. Mil

These manufacturers played crucial roles in developing Soviet military aviation capabilities during the Cold War and post-Cold War periods.

1. Mikoyan

Mikoyan, also known as MiG, is a renowned Soviet aircraft manufacturer that has produced a wide range of military fighter aircraft. Founded in 1939 by Artem Mikoyan and Mikhail Gurevich, the design bureau has been responsible for some of the most iconic and influential aircraft in aviation history. The MiG series of fighter jets, including models such as the MiG-15, MiG-21, and MiG-29, are celebrated for their advanced technology, agility, and combat effectiveness. These aircraft have played significant roles in numerous conflicts and have helped shape the landscape of military aviation. The legacy of MiG continues to be felt today, with its innovative designs and contributions to the development of modern fighter jets.

Mikoyan Production Aircraft

  • MiG-1 – 1940 fighter
  • MiG-3 – 1940 fighter and interceptor
  • MiG-9 – 1946 fighter
  • MiG-15 – 1947 fighter
  • MiG-19 – 1952 fighter
  • MiG-21 – 1956 fighter and interceptor
  • MiG-23 – 1967 fighter and fighter-bomber
  • MiG-25 – 1964 interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft
  • MiG-27 – 1970 ground-attack aircraft
  • MiG-29 – 1977 air superiority fighter and multirole fighter
    • MiG-29M – improved multirole fighter variant of the MiG-29
      • MiG-29K – 1988 all-weather carrier-based multirole fighter
  • MiG-31 – 1975 interceptor
  • MiG-35 – 2009 multirole fighter

Experimental Military Aircraft

  • DIS – 1941 escort fighter
  • MiG-6 – ground-attack aircraft
  • MiG-8 – 1945 liaison aircraft
  • I-211 – 1943 fighter
  • I-250 – 1945 fighter
  • I-270 – 1946 interceptor
  • I-320 – 1949 all-weather interceptor
  • I-350 – 1951 fighter
  • I-3 – 1956 fighter
  • I-7 – 1957 interceptor
  • I-75 – 1958 interceptor
  • Ye-8 – 1962 fighter
  • Ye-150 family – 1959 interceptor
  • MiG-105 – 1976 test vehicle
  • MiG-33 – proposed light strike fighter
  • MiG-AT – 1996 advanced trainer and light attack aircraft
  • Project 1.44 – 2000 technology demonstrator

Civilian Aircraft

  • MiG-110 – 1995 passenger and cargo aircraft

Planned Aircrafts

  • LMFS – projected stealth light multirole fighter
  • MiG-41 – projected interceptor

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

  • Skat – proposed unmanned combat aerial vehicle

Mikoyan Planes and Specifications

Mikoyan Fighter Jets

2. Sukhoi

Creating a comprehensive table with specifications for all these planes is quite extensive, especially given the large number of aircraft listed. However, I can start with an initial table structure and provide some basic details. We can then expand this table incrementally. Here’s the initial structure:

CategoryAircraftRoleFirst FlightSpecs Summary
ProductionMilitary aircraft
Su-2Reconnaissance, light bomber1937Speed: 450 km/h, Range: 1,200 km, Armament: 6 x 7.62 mm machine guns, Bomb load: 400 kg
Su-7Fighter, ground-attack1955Speed: 2,150 km/h, Range: 720 km, Armament: 2 x 30 mm cannons, Various bombs, rockets
Su-9Interceptor1956Speed: 2,175 km/h, Range: 1,125 km, Armament: 4 x K-5 (AA-1 Alkali) missiles
Su-11Interceptor1958Speed: 2,130 km/h, Range: 1,200 km, Armament: 4 x K-8 (AA-3 Anab) missiles
Su-15Interceptor1962Speed: 2,230 km/h, Range: 1,700 km, Armament: 4 x K-8 (AA-3 Anab) missiles, 2 x K-5 (AA-1 Alkali) missiles
Su-17Fighter-bomber1966Speed: 1,835 km/h, Range: 2,300 km, Armament: 2 x 30 mm cannons, Various bombs, rockets
Su-24All-weather attack1967Speed: 1,654 km/h, Range: 2,775 km, Armament: 1 x 23 mm cannon, Various bombs, rockets, missiles
Su-25Close air support1975Speed: 950 km/h, Range: 1,000 km, Armament: 1 x 30 mm cannon, Various bombs, rockets, missiles
Su-27Multirole, air superiority1977Speed: 2,500 km/h, Range: 3,530 km, Armament: 1 x 30 mm cannon, Various missiles
Su-30Multirole fighter1989Speed: 2,100 km/h, Range: 3,000 km, Armament: 1 x 30 mm cannon, Various bombs, rockets, missiles
Su-30MKIMultirole, air superiority1997Speed: 2,120 km/h, Range: 3,000 km, Armament: 1 x 30 mm cannon, Various bombs, rockets, missiles
Su-30MKKAll-weather strike2000Speed: 2,125 km/h, Range: 3,000 km, Armament: 1 x 30 mm cannon, Various bombs, rockets, missiles
Su-30MKMAir superiority, multirole2007Speed: 2,100 km/h, Range: 3,000 km, Armament: 1 x 30 mm cannon, Various bombs, rockets, missiles
Su-33Carrier-based air superiority1987Speed: 2,300 km/h, Range: 3,000 km, Armament: 1 x 30 mm cannon, Various missiles
Su-34Fighter-bomber, strike fighter1990Speed: 1,900 km/h, Range: 4,000 km, Armament: 1 x 30 mm cannon, Various bombs, rockets, missiles
Su-35Multirole, air superiority1988Speed: 2,390 km/h, Range: 3,600 km, Armament: 1 x 30 mm cannon, Various missiles
Su-57Stealth air superiority2010Speed: 2,600 km/h, Range: 3,500 km, Armament: 1 x 30 mm cannon, Various bombs, rockets, missiles
Civilian aircraftRoleFirst FlightSpecs Summary
Su-26Aerobatic1984Speed: 450 km/h, Range: 850 km
Su-29AerobaticSpeed: 350 km/h, Range: 950 km
Su-31Aerobatic1992Speed: 415 km/h, Range: 900 km
Su-80Transport2001Speed: 500 km/h, Range: 1,300 km
Superjet 100Regional jet2008Speed: 870 km/h, Range: 3,048 km
ExperimentalMilitary aircraftRoleFirst FlightSpecs Summary
Su-1Fighter1940Speed: 641 km/h, Range: 600 km
Su-6Ground-attack1941Speed: 486 km/h, Range: 810 km
Su-8Ground-attack1944Speed: 550 km/h, Range: 900 km
Su-9 (1946)Fighter1946Speed: 885 km/h, Range: 1,700 km
Su-10Bomber1946Speed: 800 km/h, Range: 3,000 km, Armament: 3 x 20 mm cannons, Bomb load: 3,000 kg
Su-12Reconnaissance1947Speed: 500 km/h, Range: 3,000 km
Su-15 (1949)All-weather interceptor1949Speed: 1,181 km/h, Range: 1,660 km
Su-17 (1949)Fighter1949Speed: 1,960 km/h, Range: 2,000 km
Su-28TrainerSpeed: 2,500 km/h, Range: 3,530 km, Armament: 1 x 30 mm cannon, Various missiles
Su-37Multirole fighter1996Speed: 2,400 km/h, Range: 3,600 km, Armament: 1 x 30 mm cannon, Various missiles
Su-47Technology demonstrator1997Speed: 2,100 km/h, Range: 3,300 km, Armament: 1 x 30 mm cannon, Various bombs, rockets, missiles
T-3Interceptor1956Speed: 2,440 km/h, Range: 1,500 km, Armament: 2 x 30 mm cannons, Various bombs, rockets
T-4Reconnaissance, strategic bomber1972Speed: 3,200 km/h, Range: 7,000 km, Armament: 4 x Kh-22 missiles
P-1Interceptor1957Speed: 1,180 km/h, Range: 1,200 km, Armament: 1 x 23 mm cannon, 2 x 7.62 mm machine guns, Bomb load: 200 kg
T-60SBomber1984Speed: 2,200 km/h, Range: 11,000 km, Armament: 4 x Kh-55 missiles
S-54Trainer, light fighterSpeed: 1,200 km/h, Range: 1,500 km, Armament: 1 x 23 mm cannon, Various bombs, rockets
Civilian aircraftRoleFlightSpecs Summary
Su-38Agricultural2001Speed: 300 km/h, Range: 1,000 km
S-21Business jetSpeed: 870 km/h, Range: 4,000 km
KR-860Airliner

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