Above Ten Thousand
EN

Did you know…

What problem do Sukhoi Su-7s share in close support?

Short answer

Fuel: the Su-7 was rugged in its simplicity, but its Lyulka AL-7's consumption limited its payload so much that even short-range missions forced at least two hardpoints to be used for drop tanks instead of weapons. Its very short combat radius and need for long runways hampered its operational usefulness.

Published: November 5, 2026 · Updated: November 5, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

What problem do Sukhoi Su-7s share in close support?
Dassault Dornier Alpha Jet of the Patrouille de France, file image: La Ferté-Alais 2025Kilyann Le Hen (CC BY), vía commons

High thirst, low payload

The Su-7 was rugged in its simplicity, but its Lyulka AL-7 engine had such high fuel consumption that it seriously limited the aircraft's payload, to the point that even short-range missions required dedicating at least two hardpoints to drop tanks instead of weapons. The aircraft had four underwing and two underbelly stations for 2,000 kg (4,400 lb) of external stores, two of which were reserved for 2,300 L (610 US gal) tanks. Its fuel capacity was 3,220 kg (7,099 lb).

Short radius, long runways

The very short combat radius and the need for long runways limited the Su-7's operational usefulness.

The Soviet fighter-bomber of the sixties

The Su-7B series, introduced shortly after, became the main Soviet fighter-bomber and ground-attack aircraft of the 1960s.

More questions