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Su-17M3
Photo: George Chernilevsky · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
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Su-17M3

Ground Attack / CAS Aircraft · Russia · 1969
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Su-17M3

Su-17M3
Su-17M3 Photo: George Chernilevsky · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Ground-Attack Lethality
75
Payload
70
Loiter / Endurance
65
Survivability
70
Accuracy
60
Low-Altitude Capability
80
Avionics
55
Reliability
75
Versatility
80
Cost-Effectiveness
85
Origin Russia
CategoryGround Attack / CAS Aircraft
EraCold War
In service1969–1990
Operators24 countries
Quantity2,867
Data Quality87%
70
Ground Attack / CAS Aircraft MASS Rating
20/55
Cold War
48/251
All-Time
Ground Attack / CAS Aircraft · 10 axes scored
Ground-Attack Lethality
75
Payload
70
Loiter / Endurance
65
Survivability
70
Accuracy
60
Low-Altitude Capability
80
Avionics
55
Reliability
75
Versatility
80
Cost-Effectiveness
85
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the ground attack / cas aircraft category.
01 / Overview
Su-17M3
Country
Production
1969–1990
Quantity
2,867
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
GROUND ATTACK / CAS AIRCRAFT · COLD WAR
20
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
88
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
70
ground attack / cas aircraft category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the ground attack / cas aircraft category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
  • First Flight1969
  • Service Entry Year1970
  • Crew1
  • Primary RoleGround Attack / CAS Aircraft
  • Generation3
  • In ServiceNo
◈Powerplant10MOD.10
  • Engine TypeTurbojet
  • Engine ModelLyulka AL-21F-3
  • Number of Engines1
  • Thrust (dry, each)69.6
  • Thrust (afterburner, each)108.9
  • Thrust-to-Weight0.68
  • AfterburnerYes
  • SupercruiseNo
  • Thrust VectoringNo
  • Internal Fuel3,770 kg
▣Performance10MOD.10
  • Top Speed2,200 km/h
  • Top Speed (Mach)2.05 Mach
  • Cruise Speed800 km/h
  • Stall Speed250 km/h
  • Service Ceiling14,200 m
  • Ferry Range2,300 km
  • Combat Radius675 km
  • Rate of Climb230 m/s
  • G-Limit7
  • Takeoff Run900 m
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
  • Length19.02 m
  • Wingspan13.68 m
  • Height5.12 m
  • Wing Area34.5
  • Empty Weight12,000 kg
  • Loaded Weight15,800 kg
  • Max Takeoff Weight21,000 kg
◆Armament8MOD.8
▤Avionics & Stealth8MOD.8
⬢Production3MOD.3
  • Total Built2,867
  • Operators10
  • Variants10
▲Service History4MOD.4
  • Retirement Year1998
  • Production Start1969
  • Production End1990
  • Operational StatusLimited service
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1969Production started
  2. 1973Entered service
  3. 1990Production ended
  4. 1994First deployment: First Chechen War
57
years in service
21
years in production
2,867
units produced
5
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country no longer actively operates it. 19 countries retired it.
04 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
Su-17 1969
Su-17M3 1969
// SIBLING VARIANTS
Su-17M4 1969
Su-17M 1973
05 / Operators
Operator Inventory5country · 93units
93active
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE8terms
An afterburner is a device that injects fuel into a jet engine's hot exhaust gases, generating additional thrust through combustion.
Air-to-Ground Missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to attack ground targets. They enable aircraft to engage and destroy enemy ground positions, vehicles, and installations.
Anti-ship missiles are guided missiles designed to engage and destroy naval vessels. They are typically used by aircraft, ships, or submarines to attack enemy ships.
A collection of integrated electronic systems on a military aircraft designed to detect, identify, disrupt, or deceive enemy radar, communications, and guided weapons.
Infrared Search and Track (IRST) is a passive sensor system that detects and tracks airborne targets by their heat signatures without emitting radiation.
Relating to or using nuclear energy, typically fission, for propulsion or power generation in military vessels.
Enables real-time sharing of position, targeting, and sensor data among aircraft and platforms for coordinated combat operations.
A targeting pod is an external sensor module mounted on aircraft that provides laser designation, infrared imaging, and range‑finding to support precision strike and reconnaissance.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Ground Attack / CAS Aircraft entry →