Its development was ordered by the Soviet government in March 1947, with the approval of the Sukhoi Design Bureau's preliminary midwing design featuring a pressurized cabin, radar, swept wings and tandem engines, similar to that already attempted by the Lavochkin La-200 and Mikoyan-Gurevich I-320.

During the 39th flight on 3 June 1949, the aircraft developed severe vibration, forcing the test pilot S.N.

Its twin Klimov RD-45 engines were positioned in tandem rather than side-by-side, due to their large diameter.

The cockpit had to be offset to the left to make room for the air intake ducting for the rear engine.

Data from Shavrov,[1] Green,[2] and OKB Sukhoi : a history of the design bureau and its aircraft [3]General characteristics Performance Armament Avionics