Sukhoi Company (JSC), officially known as Public Joint Stock Company "Sukhoi Company," stands as one of Russia's premier aircraft design bureaus and manufacturers. Founded by Pavel Sukhoi in 1939, the company has produced some of the most capable and widely-deployed military aircraft in aviation history, while also developing civilian aircraft and experimental designs that push the boundaries of aerospace technology.
Historical Background
Pavel Osipovich Sukhoi began his career at the Tupolev Design Bureau, where he designed his first aircraft, the ANT-5 (I-4) fighter. In 1939, he established his own design bureau, which would go on to create aircraft that defined Soviet and Russian air power for generations. From the Su-2 reconnaissance aircraft of World War II to the modern Su-57 fifth-generation fighter, Sukhoi's designs have consistently emphasized performance, versatility, and combat effectiveness.
The company's philosophy has always centered on creating aircraft that excel in their intended roles while maintaining the ability to adapt to changing operational requirements. This approach has resulted in some of the most successful fighter and ground-attack aircraft ever built, with thousands of Sukhoi aircraft serving in air forces around the world.
Military Aircraft
Su-2 (1937-1944)
Type: Reconnaissance aircraft, light bomber
Number Built: 910
Maiden Flight: August 25, 1937
Introduction: December 1939
Years of Production: 1937–1942
Retired: 1944
The Su-2 was Sukhoi's first production aircraft, serving as a reconnaissance and light bomber during World War II.
Su-7 "Fitter A" (1955-1972)
Type: Ground-attack aircraft
Number Built: 1,847
Maiden Flight: September 7, 1955
Introduction: 1959
Years of Production: 1957–1972
A robust ground-attack aircraft that established Sukhoi's reputation for building durable, effective strike aircraft.
Su-9 "Fishpot B" (1959-1979)
Type: Interceptor fighter aircraft
Number Built: 1,150
Maiden Flight: June 24, 1959
Introduction: 1959
Years of Production: 1959–1960s
Retired: 1979
Su-11 "Fishpot C" (1958-1983)
Type: Interceptor fighter aircraft
Number Built: 108
Maiden Flight: December 25, 1958
Introduction: 1964
Years of Production: 1962–1965
Retired: 1983
Su-15 "Flagon" (1962-1996)
Type: Interceptor fighter aircraft
Number Built: 1,290
Maiden Flight: May 30, 1962
Introduction: 1965
Years of Production: 1965–1979
Retired: 1996
Su-17/Su-20/Su-22 "Fitter D" (1966-present)
Type: Variable-wing ground-attack aircraft
Number Built: 2,867
Maiden Flight: August 2, 1966
Introduction: 1970
Years of Production: 1969–1990
A variable-geometry wing development of the Su-7, significantly improving performance and versatility.
Su-24 "Fencer" (1967-present)
Type: Deep strike bomber, variable-wing interdictor aircraft
Number Built: Approximately 1,400
Maiden Flight: July 2, 1967
Introduction: 1974
Years of Production: 1967–1993
An all-weather attack aircraft with terrain-following radar, comparable to the F-111.
Su-25 "Frogfoot" (1975-present)
Type: Close air support
Description: Twinjet, single-seat
Number Built: 1,000+
Maiden Flight: February 22, 1975
Introduction: July 19, 1981
Years of Production: 1978–present
A heavily armored ground-attack aircraft, often compared to the A-10 Thunderbolt II, designed for close air support missions.
Su-27 "Flanker" (1977-present)
Type: Multirole fighter, air superiority fighter
Description: Twinjet, single-seat
Number Built: 809
Maiden Flight: May 20, 1977
Introduction: June 22, 1985
Years of Production: 1982–present
One of the most successful fighter designs ever created, the Su-27 established the "Flanker" family that continues to dominate Russian air power.
Su-33 "Flanker D" (1987-present)
Type: Carrier-based multirole fighter, air superiority fighter
Description: Twinjet, single-seat
Number Built: Approximately 35
Maiden Flight: August 17, 1987
Introduction: August 31, 1998
Years of Production: 1987–1999
Carrier-based variant of the Su-27 designed for operations from Russian aircraft carriers.
Su-30 "Flanker C" (1989-present)
Type: Multirole fighter
Description: Twinjet, twin-seat
Number Built: 540+
Maiden Flight: December 31, 1989
Introduction: 1996
Years of Production: 1992–present
Two-seat, long-range multirole fighter that has become one of the most successful export variants of the Flanker family.
Su-27M/Su-35 "Flanker E" (1988-present)
Type: Multirole fighter, air superiority fighter
Description: Twinjet, single-seat
Number Built: Su-27M: 15, Su-35S: 128
Maiden Flight: Su-27M: June 28, 1988; Su-35S: February 19, 2008
Introduction: 2014
Years of Production: Su-27M: 1988–1995; Su-35S: 2007–present
Advanced development of the Su-27 with improved avionics, engines, and weapons systems.
Su-30MK-2/MKK "Flanker G" (1997-present)
Type: MK-2: Multi-role fighter aircraft; MKK: Strike-fighter aircraft
Description: Chinese variant of Su-30
Number Built: 134
Maiden Flight: Su-30МK: July 1, 1997
Introduction: December 2000
Years of Production: 2000–present
Su-30MKI "Flanker H" (1997-present)
Type: Air superiority fighter
Description: Indian Air Force variant of Su-30
Number Built: 230 (as of February 2017)
Maiden Flight: Su-30МK: July 1, 1997; Su-30MKI: 2000
Introduction: September 27, 2002
Years of Production: Su-30MKI: 2000–present
Highly customized variant developed for India with thrust-vectoring engines and advanced avionics.
Su-80 (2001-present)
Type: STOL transport aircraft
Description: Twin-turboprop, twin-boom
Number Built: 8
Maiden Flight: February 4, 2001
Introduction: 2001
Years of Production: 2001–present
Su-34/Su-32 "Fullback" (1990-present)
Type: Fighter-bomber, strike fighter
Description: Twinjet, twin-seat
Number Built: 138
Maiden Flight: April 13, 1990
Introduction: March 20, 2014
Years of Production: 2006–present
A side-by-side cockpit strike fighter developed from the Su-27, designed to replace the Su-24.
Su-30MKM "Flanker I" (2007-present)
Type: Multirole air superiority fighter
Description: Malaysian Air Force variant of Su-30
Number Built: 18
Maiden Flight: Su-30МK: July 1, 1997
Introduction: 2007
Years of Production: 2007–present
Su-57/T-50 "Felon" (2010-present)
Type: Multirole fifth-generation jet fighter
Description: Twin-engine, single-seat
Number Built: 12
Maiden Flight: January 29, 2010
Introduction: December 2020
Years of Production: 2009–present (prototypes only until 2018)
Russia's first fifth-generation fighter, featuring stealth technology, supercruise capability, and advanced avionics.
Su-47 "Firkin"
Type: Experimental aircraft, jet fighter
Description: Twin-engine, single-seat
Number Built: 1
Experimental forward-swept wing fighter demonstrator.
Su-75 Checkmate (2021-present)
Type: Multirole fifth-generation jet fighter
Description: Single-engine, single-seat
Number Built: 1
Maiden Flight: December 2023
Expected Introduction: 2026-2027
Years of Production: 2021–present (prototypes only 2021)
A new single-engine fifth-generation fighter designed for export markets and cost-effective operations.
Civilian Aircraft
Su-26 (1984-present)
Type: Aerobatic aircraft
Description: Single-seat
Seats: 1
Number Built: 153 (if combined with Su-29 and Su-31)
Maiden Flight: June 1984
Introduction: 1984
Years of Production: 1984–present
A highly successful aerobatic aircraft that has dominated international aerobatic competitions.
Su-29 (1991-present)
Type: Aerobatic aircraft
Description: Double-seat
Seats: 2
Maiden Flight: 1991
Introduction: 1991
Years of Production: 1991–present
Two-seat variant of the Su-26 for training and aerobatic display.
Su-31 (1992-present)
Type: Aerobatic aircraft
Description: Single-seat
Seats: 1
Maiden Flight: 1992
Introduction: 1992
Years of Production: 1992–present
Improved single-seat aerobatic aircraft with enhanced performance.
Su-80 (2001-present)
Type: STOL transport aircraft
Description: Twin-turboprop, twin-boom
Seats: 30
Number Built: 8
Maiden Flight: February 4, 2001
Introduction: 2001
Years of Production: 2001–present
A versatile short takeoff and landing transport aircraft for regional operations.
Superjet 100 (2007-present)
Type: Regional jet airliner
Description: Narrow-body, twinjet
Seats: 87
Number Built: 136
Maiden Flight: May 19, 2008
Introduction: April 21, 2011 with Armavia
Years of Production: 2007–present
Sukhoi's entry into the regional airliner market, representing a significant diversification from military aircraft.
Experimental Aircraft
Su-1/I-330 (1940)
High-altitude fighter prototype.
Su-3/I-360 (1942)
Improved Su-1 design.
Su-4/BB-3 (1941)
Prototype version of Su-2 re-engined with a M-90 engine.
Su-5/I-107 (1945)
Prototype motorjet fighter.
Su-6 (1942)
Ground attack aircraft prototype.
Su-7 (1944)
Prototype mixed-power high-altitude interceptor (not to be confused with the production Su-7 "Fitter").
Su-8/DDBSh (1943)
Ground attack aircraft prototype.
Su-9 (1946)
Jet fighter prototype (not to be confused with the production Su-9 "Fishpot").
Su-10 (1946)
Four-engine jet bomber prototype.
Su-11 (1946)
Prototype twin-engine fighter developed from the Su-9, resembled the Me 262.
Su-12 (1947)
Observation plane prototype.
Su-13 (1947)
Prototype twin-engine jet fighter developed from the Su-11.
Su-15 (1949)
Fighter-interceptor prototype (not to be confused with the production Su-15 "Flagon").
Su-17 (1949)
Fighter prototype (not to be confused with the production Su-17 "Fitter D").
Sukhoi-Gulfstream S-21
A supersonic business jet design project.
Sukhoi KR-860
Doubledeck superjumbo jet design concept.
Su-37 "Terminator"
An improved Su-35 demonstrator with thrust-vectoring engines.
Su-28 / Su-25UB
Trainer and demonstrator variant.
Su-25TM / Su-39 (1984)
Ground attack aircraft optimized for anti-tank use.
Su-38
Light agricultural aircraft project.
S-32/37
Multirole fighter (was marketed for a time under the designation Su-47).
Su-47
Experimental forward-swept wing aircraft demonstrator.
P-1 (1958)
Interceptor fighter prototype.
T-3 (1956)
Fighter prototype.
T-4/100 (1972)
Supersonic bomber, similar in concept to XB-70 Valkyrie, developed during the 1960s and 1970s.
T-49 (1960)
Prototype interceptor, modernized variant of Su-11.
T-60S
Intermediate range bomber project.
Su-57
Fifth generation fighter. Basic future aircraft of Russian Frontline Aviation. Maiden flight January 29, 2010.
Sukhoi/HAL FGFA
Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft - joint development program between Russia and India based on the Su-57 platform.
Engineering Legacy
The Sukhoi Design Bureau's contribution to aviation extends far beyond individual aircraft designs. The company pioneered numerous technologies including variable-geometry wings, thrust-vectoring engines, and advanced fly-by-wire control systems. The "Flanker" family of aircraft, in particular, represents one of the most successful fighter aircraft families ever created, with variants serving in air forces across the globe.
Sukhoi's approach to aircraft design emphasizes aerodynamic excellence, robust construction, and operational flexibility. The company's aircraft are known for their exceptional maneuverability, long range, and ability to operate from austere airfields—characteristics that have made them popular with air forces operating in challenging environments.
From the Su-2 reconnaissance aircraft of World War II to the cutting-edge Su-57 fifth-generation fighter, Sukhoi has consistently delivered aircraft that meet the demanding requirements of modern air combat while maintaining the reliability and maintainability essential for sustained operations.
Documentation and Research Resources
For researchers, restorers, and aviation historians interested in Sukhoi aircraft, comprehensive technical documentation remains essential. Online Aviation Library maintains curated collections of historical manuals, technical drawings, and engineering documentation for various Soviet and Russian aircraft, providing valuable resources for understanding these remarkable machines.
The legacy of Sukhoi Company continues to shape modern aviation, with the organization remaining at the forefront of fighter aircraft development as part of the United Aircraft Corporation. From Pavel Sukhoi's first designs in the 1930s to today's fifth-generation fighters, the Sukhoi name represents over eight decades of continuous innovation in aerospace design.