The Sukhoi T-4 Sotka or Sukhoi Su-100 (Russian: Сухой Т-4 Сотка) was a Soviet, delta- and canard winged bomber aircraft, that was powered by four Kolesov RD-36-41 engines, with a power of 159.3 kN, each.
History[]
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The Su-100 was developed to be the Soviet response to the American North American XB-70. The first flight took place on 22nd August 1972. It prevailed itself against the unbuilt competive designs by Yakolev and Tupolev. The goal of the T-4 development was creating an anti-carrier aircraft with the ability of reaching speeds up to Mach 3. The aircraft was built of the most advanced composite materials, being available at this time. The static unstable Su-100 was controlled by an advanced fly-by-wire computer system. It was possible to slope down the nose of the T-4 (just like on the Concorde and Tu-144), to improve the aerodynamics of the aircraft when taking-off or landing.
The Su-100 had a projected top speed of 3200 km/h, at a projected altitude of 25,000 to 30,000 m, with a projected range of 6000 km. However the ten test flights, which were made, could not show the full potential of the aircraft, so that the program was cancelled in the year 1974.