Interesting, just browsed through the Ildar Bedretdinov book and found that A.M.Poliakov was tasked to design an aircraft on the basis of the Su-15(Su-15Sh) whereas Oleg Samojlovich is claiming a scaled down copy of Su-17M.
Anyway, I like the transcription of the discussion(russian orig.) between P.O. Sukhoi and V.R.Efremov, because P.O. is giving him good reasons and explanations for his irrational beliefs regarding the neccessity of supersonic "shturmovik". Well, sometimes high military officials are obsessed with such things.
V.R: Pavel Osipovich, the "Shturmovik" project you offer is very interesting, but the max. speed of 900km/h is not satisfying for us.
P.O: Would you like to have a supersonic "Shturmovik"?
V.R: Yes, of course, take for instance the anglo-french "Jaguar". It will be flying "subsonic" near ground with combat weapon load , but at altitude it can also fly at speeds equaling Mach 1,6.
P.O: hmm, but the "Jaguar" is not "shturmovik", Viktor Romanovich, high altitudes are not typical for Shturmoviks.
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P.O: Then for what reason "Shturmoviks" need supersonic, Viktor Romanovich?
V.R: Well, at least for that to flee away from the enemy fighters.
P.O: I think you also do not believe that at Mach1,6 you can bug out before the Phantom.
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