Sukhoi T-4

Sukhoi T-4
Land	Sovjetunionen
Rolle	Bombefly – Rekognosering
Første flytur	22. august 1972
Bygget	4

Den Sukhoi T-4, eller «Aircraft 100», eller «Project 100», eller «Sotka» var et sovjetisk høyhastighets rekognoserings-, antiskips- og strategisk bombefly som ikke gikk forbi prototypestadiet. Det kalles noen ganger Su-100.

Kilde: Sukhoi T-4 på Wikipedia

Sukhoi 100/T-4-1 Walk Around
Fotograf	Sergej Zhabin
Lokalisering	Det russiske flyvåpenmuseet
Bilder	36

Sukhoi T-4 01

Sukhoi T-4 02

Sukhoi T-4 03

Sukhoi T-4 04

Sukhoi T-4 05

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Sukhoi T-4 08

Sukhoi T-4 07

Sukhoi T-4 09

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☭ General Characteristics and Role

The Sukhoi T-4 (NATO reporting name: “Sotka,” meaning “hundred” in Russian, referring to its original design number T-100) was a highly advanced, experimental Soviet strategic reconnaissance and heavy bomber aircraft. It was designed in the 1960s to compete with projects like the American XB-70 Valkyrie. The T-4 was intended to fly at speeds up to Mach 3.0 at high altitudes, making it virtually invulnerable to contemporary interception. It was characterized by its extensive use of titanium and high-strength steel in its structure to withstand the high temperatures generated by sustained supersonic flight. The aircraft was also unique for its lack of a forward windscreen during high-speed flight; the nose section was hinged to droop for low-speed visibility, relying on a periscope for high-speed flight.

Property	Typical Value (T-4 Prototype)
Type	Supersonic Strategic Reconnaissance/Bomber (Experimental)
National Origin	Soviet Union (USSR)
Produsenten	Sukhoi Design Bureau
First Flight	August 22, 1972
Mannskapet	2 (Pilot, Navigator/Weapons Officer)
Max Takeoff Weight	Approx. 135,000 kg (297,624 lb)
Length (Nose Up)	44.5 m (146 ft 0 in)
Vingespenn	22.0 m (72 ft 2 in)

Powerplant and Performance

Engines: 4 x Kolesov RD36-41 afterburning turbojets.
Maximum Thrust (with afterburner): 157.0 kN (35,280 lbf) each.
Design Maximum Speed: Mach 3.0 (Approx. 3,200 km/h or 2,000 mph).
Tested Maximum Speed: Mach 1.3 (limited by test program restrictions).
Service Ceiling: 20,000–24,000 m (65,600–78,700 ft).
Armament: Designed to carry Kh-45 anti-ship/anti-radiation cruise missiles (two carried semi-recessed under the fuselage), or conventional/nuclear bombs.
Notable Feature: Utilized a drooping nose to improve visibility during taxiing, takeoff, and landing, similar to Concorde, which retracted flush with the fuselage at high speeds.

Status and Legacy

Program Status: Only one prototype flew (a second was partially built). The program was officially cancelled in 1974 before achieving its Mach 3 design goal, primarily due to immense cost, technological complexity, and political pressure from Andrei Grechko, the Soviet Minister of Defence.
Technological Influence: The T-4 program resulted in significant advancements in Soviet metallurgy, specifically the welding and forming of titanium and high-strength steel, which later benefited the Sukhoi Su-27 fighter program and subsequent high-speed Soviet designs.
Rivalry: The cancellation of the T-4 cleared the way for the development of the swing-wing Tupolev Tu-22M and the slightly slower, but mass-produced, Tu-160 “Blackjack” strategic bomber.
Sole Survivor: The only remaining prototype (board number “101”) is currently preserved and on display at the Central Air Force Museum in Monino, Russia.