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Su-24 Sukhoi
Su-24
ASCC codename: Fencer
Medium Tactical/Strategic Bomber

DESCRIPTION:
Once called the most dangerous aircraft in the Soviet arsenal, the Su-24 is a low-level bomber with capabilities similar to those of the American F-111. However, the Su-24 is lighter, smaller, and more powerful than its counterpart. The Fencer, as it is called in the West, is capable of supersonic speeds at low level and is equipped with terrain-following radar and laser-designators for guided weapons. These features give the Su-24 the ability to streak towards enemy targets beneath radar coverage and attack with pinpoint accuracy. It is believed that about 650 Su-24s were built, but many have been removed from service since the demise of the Soviet Union. Current plans call for the remaining models to be phased out in favor of the Su-34.

Data below for Su-24M
Last modified 19 March 2011

HISTORY:
First Flight (Su-19) 1970
(Su-24) 1976
Service Entry (Su-24) 1983
(Su-24M) 1986

CREW: two: pilot, weapon systems officer

ESTIMATED COST: unknown

AIRFOIL SECTIONS:
Wing Root TsAGI SR14S-5.376
Wing Tip TsAGI SR16M-10

DIMENSIONS:
Length 80.69 ft (24.59 m)
Wingspan unswept: 57.88 ft (17.64 m)
swept: 34.00 ft (10.36 m)
Height 20.31 ft (6.19 m)
Wing Area 590 ft² (55.2 m²)
Canard Area

not applicable

WEIGHTS:
Empty 49,200 lb (22,320 kg)
Normal Takeoff unknown
Max Takeoff 87,520 lb (39,700 kg)
Fuel Capacity internal: unknown
external: unknown
Max Payload

17,635 lb (8,000 kg)

PROPULSION:
Powerplant two Saturn/ Lyulka AL-21F-3A afterburning turbojets
Thrust 49,380 lb (219.6 kN)

PERFORMANCE:
Max Level Speed at altitude: 1,590 mph (2,560 km/h) at 36,090 ft (11,000 m), Mach 2.4
at sea level: 870 mph (1,400 km/h), Mach 1.14
Initial Climb Rate unknown
Service Ceiling 57,400 ft (17,500 m)
Range typical: 1,130 nm (2,100 km)
ferry: 3,480 nm (6,440 km)
g-Limits unknown

ARMAMENT:
Gun one 23-mm cannon (about 1,000 rds)
Stations eight external hardpoints
Air-to-Air Missile AA-2 Atoll, AA-8 Aphid, AA-7 Apex
Air-to-Surface Missile AS-7 Kerry
Bomb TN-1000/-1200 nuclear bombs, TV/laser guided bombs, 500/1000 kg bombs, anti-runway bombs
Other rocket pods, gun pods, ECM pods

KNOWN VARIANTS:
Su-19 Original model that entered production in 1974
Su-24 'Fencer-A' Modified Su-19 flown in 1976
Su-24 'Fencer-B' 'Fencer-A' with a slightly modified fuselage shape near the tail and introducing a drag chute for braking
Su-24 'Fencer-C' 'Fencer-A' with new radar warning receivers
Su-24M 'Fencer-D' Principal bomber model with terrain-following radar, a forward-looking attack radar, and a laser designator for guided weapons that entered service in 1983
Su-24MR 'Fencer-E' Reconnaissance model
Su-24MP 'Fencer-F' Electronic reconnaissance model equipped with several antennae; approximately 12 built
Su-24MK Version of the Su-24M for export
Su-24M2 Upgrade program for the Su-24M

KNOWN COMBAT RECORD: Afghanistan War (Soviet Union, 1984-1989)
Iran-Iraq War (Iran, 1980-1988)
Iraq - Operation Desert Storm (Iraq, 1991)
Nagorno-Karabakh War (Azerbaijan, 1992-1994)
South Ossetia War (Russia, 2008)
Libya Civil War (Libya, 2011)

KNOWN OPERATORS: Azerbaijan (Azerbaijan Air Force)
Belarus, Voyenno Vozdushnyye Sily (Belarus Air Force)
Iran (Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force)
Iraq, Al Quwwat Al Jawwiya al Iraqiya (Iraqi Air Force)
Kazakhstan (Kazakhstan Air Force)
Libya, Al Quwwat al Jawwiya al Jamahiriya al Arabia al Libyya (Libyan Air Force)
Russia, Voyenno Vozdushniye Sili (Russian Air Force)
Russia, Aviatsiya Voyenno-Morskoyo Flota Sily Rossii (Russian Naval Aviation)
Syria, Al Quwwat al-Jawwiya al Arabiya as-Souriya (Syrian Air Force)
Ukraine, Viys'kovo-Povitriani Syly Ukrayiny (Ukraine Military Air Forces)
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Voyenno Vozdushniye Sili (Soviet Air Force)
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Aviatsiya Voyenno-Morskoyo Flota (Soviet Naval Aviation)

3-VIEW SCHEMATIC:

Su-24


SOURCES:
  • Bishop, Chris, ed. The Encyclopedia of Modern Military Weapons: The Comprehensive Guide to Over 1,000 Weapon Systems from 1945 to the Present Day. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1999, p. 267-268.
  • Donald, David, ed. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1997, p. 867.
  • Gunston, Bill and Spick, Mike. Modern Air Combat: The Aircraft, Tactics and Weapons Employed in Aerial Combat Today. NY: Crescent Books, 1983, p. 162-163.
  • Munro, Bob and Chant, Christopher. Jane's Combat Aircraft. Glasgow: Harper Collins Publishers, 1995, p. 220-221.









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