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Su-34 Sukhoi
Su-32, Su-34
ASCC codename: Fullback
Medium Tactical/ Strategic Bomber

DESCRIPTION:
Based on the Su-27 fighter, the Su-34 is a tactical low-level bomber designed to replace the Su-24. The first Su-34 prototype was a modified Su-30 tandem two-seat trainer, itself a variant of the Su-27, reconfigured with two side-by-side seats in a widened fuselage. The widened nose also contains a terrain-following radar and terrain-avoidance system needed for low-level flight. Furthermore, the revised nose shape is a flat, sharp, chined configuration similar to that on the SR-71 Blackbird to reduce radar cross-section.

Like the Su-27, the Su-34 also features a rearward facing radar between the engines to track and fire upon targets behind the aircraft. Improvements over the Su-27 include more sophisticated avionics, addition of canards like those of the Su-33, better maneuverability, greater range, and improved low-level flight performance.

The Su-34, originally known as the Su-27IB, is expected to replace the Su-24 bomber as well as the MiG-25RB reconnaissance plane. A further variant of the Su-34 is the Su-32FN optimized for maritime attack and reconnaissance duties. Some reports also suggest a navalized version of the Su-34 (possibly confused with the Su-33UB) equipped with more powerful engines and thrust vectoring to reduce the takeoff distance. This variant remains somewhat doubtful, however, since the Russian Navy only operates a single aircraft carrier that seldom leaves port.

Russia hopes to ultimately build as many as 600 examples of the Su-34 by about 2030. Even though the Su-34 first flew in the early 1990s, production has been slow to get underway and only 58 have been funded through 2015. The age of the Su-24 and MiG-25 means these aircraft will likely be removed from service by 2020 leaving a large gap in capability until sufficient numbers of the Su-34 become available.

Last modified 13 September 2009

HISTORY:
First Flight (modified Su-30) 13 April 1990
(Su-34) 18 December 1993
Service Entry

unknown

CREW: two: pilot, weapon systems officer

ESTIMATED COST:

unknown

AIRFOIL SECTIONS:
Wing Root unknown
Wing Tip

unknown

DIMENSIONS:
Length 82.67 ft (25.22 m)
Wingspan 48.18 ft (14.70 m)
Height 20.33 ft (6.20 m)
Wing Area 666 ft² (62.0 m²)
Canard Area

unknown

WEIGHTS:
Empty 30,865 lb (14,000 kg)
Normal Takeoff 85,980 lb (39,000 kg)
Max Takeoff 99,210 lb (45,000 kg)
Fuel Capacity 26,675 lb (12,100 kg)
Max Payload 17,640 lb (8,000 kg)

PROPULSION:
Powerplant two Saturn/Lyul'ka AL-31MF afterburning turbojets
Thrust 58,460 lb (260 kN)

PERFORMANCE:
Max Level Speed at altitude: 1,180 mph (1,900 km/h) at 32,780 ft (10,000 m), Mach 1.8
at sea level: unknown
cruise speed: 810 mph (1,300 km/h) at 32,780 ft (10,000 m)
Initial Climb Rate unknown
Service Ceiling 45,890 ft (14,000 m)
Range typical: 2,160 nm (4,000 km)
ferry: 3,775 nm (7,000 km)
g-Limits +7

ARMAMENT:
Gun one 30-mm GSh-301 cannon (149 rds)
Stations ten external hardpoints and two wingtip rails
Air-to-Air Missile up to 12 R-27/AA-10 Alamo, R-73/AA-11 Archer, or R-77/AA-12
Air-to-Surface Missile AS-12, AS-13, Kh-29/AS-14 Kedge, Kh-35, Kh-41, Kh-59
Bomb KAB-500, KAB-1500 laser-guided bombs
Other rocket pods, ECM pods

KNOWN VARIANTS:
Su-27IB Original designation of the Su-34
Su-34 Production model based on the Su-27 airframe but with a widened forward fuselage for side-by-side seating as well as advanced navigation and attack avionics
Su-32FN Maritime attack and reconnaissance model built for export

KNOWN COMBAT RECORD: none

KNOWN OPERATORS: Russia, Voyenno Vozdushniye Sili (Russian Air Force)

3-VIEW SCHEMATIC:

Su-34


SOURCES:
  • Donald, David, ed. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1997, p. 868, Sukhoi Su-27 and derivatives.
  • Donald, David and Lake, Jon, ed. The Encyclopedia of World Military Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 2000, p. 415, Sukhoi Su-27IB/KU/Su-34.
  • Gunston, Bill, ed. The Encyclopedia of Modern Warplanes. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1995, p. 268, Sukhoi Su-27 'Flanker'.
  • Gunston, Bill, ed. The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing, 1995, p. 366-369, Su-27IB, Su-34.
  • Paul Nann's Military Aviation Photo Gallery
  • Rendall, David. Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide, 2nd ed. London: Harper Collins Publishers, 1999, p. 105.
  • Taylor, Michael. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1996/1997. London: Brassey's, 1996, p. 94-95, Sukhoi Su-34 (Su-27IB).
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London: Brassey's, 1999, p. 73-74, Sukhoi Su-32FN and Su-34/Su-27IB (NATO name Flanker).









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