The Sukhoi Su-17 (Aircraft R) was a prototype
Soviet fighter. The name was later reused for an entirely different fighter-bomber, see
Sukhoi Su-17.
Development
The Su-17 was designed to closely match the theoretical
TsAGI calculations for
supersonic performance. The aircraft had a 50°
swept wing fitted with
air brakes and boosted controls. A unique feature was that in addition to an ejection seat, the entire nose section of the aircraft could separate from the rest of the airframe.[1] The project was canceled with no flights due to problems with wing structure, ongoing difficulties with the development of the TR-3 engine, and the closure of the Sukhoi OKB. The only example was eventually used as a gunfire target.[2]