Sukhoi Interceptors

The first twenty years of Sukhoi supersonic interceptor development, including the Su-15, a symbol of the Cold War and true guardian of the Soviet skies. Closed in 1949, the Sukhoi Design Bureau was reborn in 1953 to meet an urgent demand for a fast interceptor that would counter the threat posed by NATO bombers. It wasted no time developing a succession of missile-armed, Mach 2 interceptors characterized by delta wings; the single-engined Su-9 entered service in 1960, followed by the up-armed S