Avions Militaire Sukhoï

Russian Air Force Takes Delivery of Sukhoi Su-34 Bombers



V.P.Chkalov Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Association (NAPO) handed over to the Russian AF two batch-production Su-34 frontline fighter-bombers produced in the framework of the national defense order for 2009. The planes have already arrived to the Russian AF Lipetsk Center for Combat Use and Flight Training. In accordance with the 5-year state contract with the Ministry of Defense signed in 2008, NAPO will produce 32 Su-34 fighter-bombers till 2013.

This December NAPO has also fulfilled its obligations under 3-year state contract by handing over to the Russian AF the final batch of Su-24M2 bombers after repair and modernization.

The two-seat Su-34 fighter-bomber is designed to deliver high-precision strikes on heavily defended air, ground and naval targets (including small and mobile targets) on solo and group missions in any weather conditions, day or night, as well as for air reconnaissance.

Su-34 belongs to the 4 + generation of aircraft by its combat capabilities. Active security systems as well as modern computers allow pilot-commander and navigator/operator of weapons to deliver precise strikes on targets and make maneuvers under hostile fire.

The main distinctive features of the fighter-bomber are:

• large ordnance load and a broad line-up of guided air-launched weapons,

• high load capabilities engineered through reinforced design of the airframe and landing gear, and increased fuel tanks,

• effective digitally-controlled twin afterburning turbojet engines,

• in-flight refueling capability,

• advanced avionics line-up, including multi-purpose PAA radar, onboard optical search and track station and an integrated defensive aids suite.

Su-34 can engage in long-range combat missions close to ranges of medium strategic bombers.

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The SU-34 is also referred to as the “SU-32” by Sukhoi, though other sources indicate that this may refer to a dedicated naval strike variant. The plane’s key characteristics reportedly include:

• 45.1 tonne maximum takeoff weight.
  
• 8 tonne ordnance load. Air Force Technology adds that this is distributed on 10 hardpoints, which can accommodate precision-guided weapons as well as R-73/AA-11 Archer and R-77/AA-12 ‘AMRAAMSKI’ missiles. The aircraft is also armed with a 30mm GSh-301 gun and 180 rounds.
  
• AL-31FM1 engines built by the Moscow-based Salyut Company generate a thrust of up to 13.5 metric tons (over 29,000 pounds) and have a 1,000-hour service life in between repairs. Subsequent reports indicate that more powerful AL-41 engines may be fitted in future.
  
• Maximum speed Mach 1.8 at altitude
  
• 3,000 km range with standard drop tanks, extensible to over 4,000 km with the help of additional drop tanks. This makes deployment to locations like Tajikistan much easier, because intermediate airfields in Russia can easily be closed by bad weather. The SU-34 can also refuel in mid-air. (Note, however, that typical “ground hugging” attack flight profiles will shorten their range considerably – Air Force Technology lists it as around 600 km on internal fuel, or 1,150 km with external fuel tanks.)
  
• Can fly in TERCOM (Terrain Contour Matching) mode for low-level flight, and relies on software to execute a number of other difficult maneuvers. The front horizontal empennage behind the cockpit is designed to help it handle the air pockets found in high speed flight at low altitudes.
  
• A 17mm armored cockpit like the SU-25 Frogfoot ground-attack jet.
  
• 2 parallel K-36DM ejector seats, with a small aisle in between. The ejector seats can be activated at any speed and altitude, even when the plane is on the ground.