Kraków 2019-07-15
269 Section 1984-05-05
OKB Suchoj Su-22 M 4 K, Su-22 UM 3 K
Poland
History
History
Suchoi Su-22 is a fighter-bomber plane, although according to pilots it is a bomber plane. Its task is to support land units, bombardments of objects and destroy strategic ground targets. The Su-22 hunting options are marginal and limited to defense. The Su-22 M 4 K airplane is derived from the Su-17 aircraft structure and is a modified version, both in terms of design and electronic equipment. Su-22 M 4 K transports only up to 4 360 kg of combat assets, but their range is large.
The purchase of Suchoi Su-22 aircraft was the most correct, because this aircraft was a continuation of the development line of Suchoi’s Su-7 B, Su-20 aircraft. At that time, CCCP still had MiG-23 MB, MiG-27, Su-24 aircraft on offer, but these planes did not suit the Polish Army.
Suchoi Su-22 M aircraft have been in operation in Poland since 1985. Poland had 90 copies of Su-22 M 4 K and 20 copies of Su-22 UM 3 K. Officially, Poland purchased 110 Su-22 aircraft (90 one-seater and 20 two-seater). Unless there is a problem with the two-seat version, there are some inaccuracies with the one-seat version. Detailed analysis shows that 100 Su-22 M 4 K aircraft were exploited in Poland. This apparent inaccuracy results from the fact that in the first years of operation, aircraft were renovated in CCCP. Because there were serious airframe failures, or systems installed in them, another copy was delivered to Poland.
These airplanes were based at the following airports: Powidz, Piła, Mirosławiec and Świdwin. Since 2010, all airplanes remaining in operation have been placed at the Świdwin airport.
The Su-22 aircraft in relation to other combat aircraft used in Poland were not more emergency and the number of accidents was similar. The list of accidents is in an earlier article. In 2015, Su-22 aircraft should be withdrawn from service.
In 2012, WZL in Bydgoszcz presented a modified version of the Su-22 aircraft intended for the Navy aviation. The presented plane was a copy of Su-22 M 4 K nb 9305. The aircraft received equipment necessary for flights by the sea and counteracting surface targets. In addition, the plane received a new camouflage composed of two shades of gray. The Polish Army did not express interest in the proposal. At that time, Poland had an excess of Su-22 aircraft, which were stored, mainly in Świdwin.
In the years 2015-2018, Su-22 aircraft should be withdrawn from service. However, in February 2014, the head of the Defense Ministry Tomasz Siemoniak decided to keep them on a 40th ELT, 21st Air Base in Świdwin. It was decided to renovate them, which allowed them to remain in service for the next 3-10 years. Modernization covered 6 aircraft in the Su-22 UM 3 K and 12 Su-22 M 4 K. Airplanes were subjected to preliminary verification, and then they were directed to Bydgoszcz. Airplanes received new radio stations, onboard instruments in Anglo-Saxon units, aggregates were repaired or replaced. At the same time, the planes received a new camouflage, the so-called pigeon. The first Su-22 M 4 K nb 8205 aircraft was handed over to the army in May 2015. The restoration of the remaining aircraft lasted until the end of 2016.
List of modernized aircraft:
Su-22 UM 3 K nb 308, 310, 508, 509, 706, 707.
Su-22 M 4 K nb 8205 (modernized first), 3201, 3304, 3612, 3706, 3713, 3715, 3920, 7410, 8101, 8309, 8920.
On 2019-06-07 there was a failure of the RD-21 engine of one of the Su-22 aircraft. During the flight the engine stopped working. The pilot managed to re-launch it and land safely. This event resulted in the suspension of flights of all Su-22 aircraft. This fact was reported by Colonel Maciej Trelki, the commander of the 1st Wing of the Tactical Air Force.
The extinction of the engine in flight on the Sukhoi family aircraft is not an unusual event. Various procedures are provided for such an event. It all depends on the ceiling and the speed of the plane. Because the pilot has started the engine, we can conclude that he has kept all the procedures. After such an incident, the task is interrupted and returns to the airport. If possible, it is your own airport. The pilot showed professionalism and deserved the prize. In mid-July 2019, Su-22 planes returned to service.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman
Kraków 2019-07-15
269 Section 1984-05-05
OKB Suchoj Su-22 M 4 K, Su-22 UM 3 K
Poland
Construction
Here are some pictures of the construction details of Suchoj Su-22 M 4K, Su-22 UM 3 K.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman
Kraków 2019-07-15
269 Section 1984-05-05
OKB Suchoj Su-22 M 4 K, Su-22 UM 3 K
Poland
Tally
The list of Su-22 aircraft used in Poland is contained in Section – Suchoj Su-22 1984. – Tally
Written by Karol Placha Hetman