The Sukhoi Su-34 (Russian: Сухой Су-34) (export designation: Su-32, NATO reporting name: Fullback) is a Russian twin-seat fighter-bomber. It is intended to replace the Sukhoi Su-24
| Su-34 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Su-34 taking off | |
| Role | Fighter-bomber[1] |
| Manufacturer | Sukhoi |
| First flight | 13 April 1990 |
| Introduction | 21 December 2009[2] |
| Status | In production[3] |
| Primary user | Russian Air Force |
| Produced | 2006–present[4] |
| Number built | 28 |
| Unit cost | US$36 million[5] |
| Developed from | Sukhoi Su-27 |
Development
Beginnings and testing
The Su-34 had a somewhat muddied and protracted beginning.[7] In the mid-1980s, Sukhoi began developing a new multi-role tactical aircraft to replace the swing-wing Su-24, which would incorporate a host of somewhat conflicting requirements. The bureau thus selected the Su-27, which excelled in maneuverability and range, and could carry a large payload, as the basis for the new fighter.[8] More specifically, the aircraft was developed from the naval trainer derivative of the Sukhoi Su-27K, the "T10KM-2". Known internally as "T-10V", the development was shelved towards the end of the 1980s due to the construction suspension of aircraft carriers; this was the result of the massive political upheaval in the Soviet Union experienced and the subsequent disintegration.[7][8]In August 1990, however, a photograph taken by a TASS officer showed an aircraft making a dummy approach towards Tbilisi.[7][8] The aircraft, subsequently and erroneously labelled Su-27KU by Western intelligence, made its maiden flight on 13 August 1990 with Anatoliy Ivanov at the controls.[9] Converted from an Su-27UB with the new distinctive nose, while retaining the main undercarriage of previous Su-27s, it was actually a prototype for the Su-27IB (Istrebitel Bombardirovshchik, or "fighter bomber").[10] It was developed in parallel with the two-seat naval trainer, the Su-27KUB, although, contrary to earlier reports, the two aircraft are not directly related.[11] Flight tests continued throughout 1990 and into 1991.[8]
In 1992, the Su-27IB was displayed to the public at the MosAeroshow (since renamed "MAKS Airshow"), where it demonstrated aerial refuelling with an Il-78, and performed an aerobatic display. The aircraft was officially unveiled on 13 February 1992 at Machulishi, where Russian President Boris Yeltsin and the CIS leaders were holding a summit. The following year the Su-27IB was again displayed at the MAKS Airshow.[9]
The next prototype, and first pre-production aircraft, T10V-2, first flew on 18 December 1993 at the controls of Igor Votintsev and Yevgeniy Revoonov.[9] Built at the Novosibirsk, where Su-24s were constructed, this aircraft was visibly different from the original prototype; it had a modified vertical stabilizers, twin tandem main undercarriage and a longer "sting", which houses a rearward-facing warning radar.[7] The first aircraft built to production standard made its first flight on 28 December 1994.[7] It was fitted with a fire-control system, at the heart of which was the Leninets OKB-designed B004 radar.[7] It was different enough from the earlier versions that it was re-designated the "Su-34".[9] However, at the 1995 Paris Air Show, the Su-34 was allocated the "Su-32FN" designation, signalling the aircraft's potential role as a shore-based naval aircraft. Sukhoi also promoted the Su-34 as the "Su-32MF" (MnogoFunksionalniy, "multi-function").[7]
Production
Initially only a handful of pre-production models were built. Then in mid-2004 Sukhoi announced that low-rate production was commencing and that initial aircraft would reach squadron service around 2008. Nevertheless, upgrade programs continue for surviving Russian Sukhoi Su-24, as the Su-34 may not enter widespread service for some years to come.In March 2006, Russia's Minister of Defence Sergei Ivanov announced that the government had purchased only two Su-34s for delivery in 2006, and planned to have a complete air regiment of 44 Su-34s operational by the end of 2010. A total of 200 aircraft were to be purchased by 2015 to replace some 300 Russian Su-24s,[12] which are going through modernisation upgrades to prolong their service life.[13] Ivanov claimed that because the aircraft is "many times more effective on all critical parameters" the Russian Air Force will need far fewer of these newer bombers than the old Su-24 it replaces. The Su-34 will also replace Tupolev Tu-22Ms.[6]
In December 2006, Ivanov revealed that approximately 200 Su-34s were expected be in service by 2020.[14] This was confirmed by Air Force chief Vladimir Mikhaylov on 6 March 2007.[15] Two Su-34s were delivered on 4 January 2007, and six more have been delivered by the end of that year.[16] On 9 January 2008, Sukhoi reported that the Su-34 has begun full-rate production. At this time Russia planned to have 24 Su-34s operational by late 2010.[12][13] In June 2009, Sukhoi was awarded a five-year contract for Su-34 production.[17]
The Russian Air Force plans to receive 70 Su-34s by 2015. It received another four Su-34s on 28 December 2010.[18] A Russian military source announced in September 2011 that Air Force had finished pre-deployment tests of Su-34. the model will receive approval to be further tested by Air Force bomber units.[19] The Russian Air Force intends to procure 120 Su-34s from 2011 to 2020."Russian air forces will acquire 120 Su-34 bombers". ruaviation.com, 17 August 2011.
Design
The aircraft shares most of its wing structure, tail, and engine nacelles with the Su-27/Su-30, with canards like the Su-30MKI/Su-33/Su-27M/35 to increase static instability (higher manoeuvrability) and to reduce trim drag. The aircraft has an entirely new nose and forward fuselage with a cockpit providing side-by-side seating for a crew of two. The Su-34 is powered by the AL-31FM1, the same engines as the Su-27SM, but its maximum speed is smaller at Mach 1.8+.[20]The Su-34 has a three surface planform, with a conventional horizontal tail at the rear and a pair of canard foreplanes in front of the wings for extra lift and more manoeuvring power. At the 1999 Paris Air show the aircraft was nicknamed the Platypus due to the unusual shape of the nose.[citation needed]
The Su-34 has 12 pylons for up to 8,000 kilograms (17,635 lb) of ordnance, intended to include the latest Russian precision-guided weapons. It retains the Su-27/Su-30's 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon.[21] The Su-34 ordnance load includes subsonic and supersonic homing missiles and glider bombs, can destroy hardened and well-camouflaged targets at a range of up to 250 km.
The Su-34's most distinctive feature is the unusually large flight deck. Much of the design work went into crew comfort. The two crew members sit side by side in a large cabin, with the pilot-commander to the left and navigator/operator of weapons to the right in NPP Zvezda K-36dm ejection seats. An advantage of the side by side cockpit is that duplicate instruments are not required for each pilot. As long missions require comfort, it has pressurisation that it allows to operate up to 10,000 metres (32,800 ft) without oxygen masks, which are available for emergencies and combat situations.[22] The crew members have room to stand and move about the cabin during long missions.[23][24] The space between the seats allows them to lie down in the corridor, if necessary.[22] A small toilet and a galley are located behind the crew seats.[22][23]
Operational history
The Su-34's long range was shown in a July 2010 exercise when Su-34s and Su-24Ms were moved from Russian bases in Europe to one on the Pacific coast, 6,000 kilometres away, which requires in-flight refuelling. The Su-24Ms were refuelled three times, while the Su-34 was refuelled twice.[25]Commander of the Air Forces Colonel General Aleksandr Zelin stated that a government order for deployment of the Su-34s is expected next year.[citation needed][when?]
Operators
Russian Air Force – 14, excluding prototypes. According to the Sukhoi plane history, and news releases, eight development batch planes (still designated Su-32) were produced by 2004.[26] In 2006, production of the final version of the plane began under the new designation of Su-34. In 2008 a contract for 32 planes by 2013 was signed. Six planes from this contract were delivered as of December 2010[2][3]
Specifications (Su-34)
General characteristics- Crew: 2
- Length: 23.34 m (72 ft 2 in)
- Wingspan: 14.7 m (48 ft 3 in)
- Height: 6.09 m (19 ft 5 in)
- Loaded weight: 39,000 kg (85,980 lb)
- Useful load: 8,000 kg (17,600 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 45,100 kg (99,425 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Lyulka AL-31FM1[31] turbofans, 13,500 kgf (132 kN, 29,762 lbf) with afterburner each
- Maximum speed:
- High altitude: Mach 1.8 (1,900 km/h, 1,180 mph)
- Low altitude: Mach 1.2 (1,400 km/h, 870 mph) at sea level
- Combat radius: 1,100 km (680 mi)
- Ferry range: 4,000 km (2,490 mi)
- Service ceiling: 15,000 m (49,200 ft)
- Wing loading: 629 kg/m² (129 lb/ft²)
- Thrust/weight: 0.68
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