SU-34 aircraft: description and specifications. Military aviation

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

This bomber looks more like an interceptor. It has the unofficial nickname "Duckling", derived from the specific shape of its nose. Until recently, little was written about him, but now news channels often show materials that in the Syrian sky, Su-34 and Su-24M aircraft deliver precision strikes against the lines of communication, headquarters and arsenals of the terrorist state of ISIS. It can be argued that these front-line bombers became famous. The story will go about one of them.

History and prototype

The requirements for an interceptor and a front-line bomber are different and even somewhat mutually exclusive. However, Soviet aircraft manufacturers already have experience in transforming fighter aircraft into attack aircraft. The famous "Pawn" - Pe-2 - before the war was conceived as a twin-engine high- altitude heavy fighter. The needs of defense "repurposed" it into a dive bomber, and although the redesign seemed problematic, it turned out very well. Something similar happened with the Su-27 interceptor. In 1986, the Sukhoi Design Bureau began work onits strike modification, which received the T-10V index, with the aim of ultimately implementing the concept of a universal "attack aircraft" capable of carrying a serious combat load to work on the battlefield and possessing sufficient maneuverability to repulse enemy aircraft. During the design process, it became clear to the designers that a conventional twin cab was not suitable for this purpose. By 1990, the main thing was done: a new bow with the famous "duck beak" appeared. By the mid-nineties, the Su-34 acquired its official name (it managed to visit both the T-10V-5 and the Su-32FN). But it officially entered service only in 2014.

Visible differences

Outwardly, the Su-34 combat aircraft looks like its "ancestor" Su-27, at least from afar. On closer examination, even the layman is struck by some obvious differences. The nose part is expanded, the pilots sit side by side, and not one behind the other, the landing gear became much more powerful, and, of course, the nose. At first glance, in general, and all. In technical terms, this means that the design was based on the airframe of the Su-27 interceptor, which is characterized as a normal two-keel aerodynamic configuration with all-moving elevators. Not immediately noticeable to the uninitiated eye is the elongation (compared to the prototype) of the root influxes of the wing, the unregulated air intakes, the absence of ventral fins and an increase in the number of external suspension units. For all its resemblance to an interceptor, the Su-34 is a tactical bomber, and therefore,should carry more and further than its prototype.

Cab

Now you can understand the design changes in more detail. First of all, we will talk about the most obvious details of appearance. The cockpit of the Su-34 aircraft is double, the entrance to it is carried out along a light ladder, resting with the upper edge against the hatch located behind the wings of the nose strut. This greatly simplifies the process of taking up their seats by the pilot and navigator. During the flight, the crew is provided with all the necessary conditions for comfortable habitation, including a food warmer, a thermos and a cesspool device. If one of the pilots considers that he has overstayed, he can get up and stretch himself - there is enough space for this.

But the Su-34 is not only comfortable and ergonomic. The Sukhoi Design Bureau has taken care of the protection of the crew: it is in a special titanium armored capsule, the effectiveness of which has already been tested in practice. Approximately the same technology is used in the design of the Su-25 attack aircraft. The glazing of the canopy is also securely armored.

Engines

Two AL-31F turbofan engines with a bypass ratio of 0.571 develop thrust of 12.5 tons each, but in afterburner mode they can add another 300 kg.

In general, the power plant is the same as that of the Su-27. Perhaps this is not such a big figure, especially considering how much the Su-34 aircraft weighs. The Russian Aerospace Forces, however, believe that the power is quite enough to compete in the sky with the American F-15, created to solveabout the same combat missions. Options are also possible, for example, AL-35F engines, which develop up to 14 tons of thrust in afterburner.

Onboard electronics

The Su-34 aircraft is equipped with a completely new avionics, taking into account the requirements of increased reliability (due to redundancy) and allowing you to reach the target automatically, using satellite guidance. The detection range (even for small objects) reached 250 km. This applies to the search for submarines (even if they only raised periscopes), reconnaissance, finding mined areas of the water area, etc. As for the tasks of direct operational target designation over the battlefield, this is indicated on the windshield and helmet-mounted fire control "look", which can significantly reduce the decision-making time. Such a wide range would not be possible without the use of a high-speed computer hardware base.

Fuel system

To increase the range, the aircraft needs more fuel. Four tanks (three inside the fuselage and one in the wing), as well as in-flight refueling systems, create the conditions for striking at distant targets, which brings the Su-34's capabilities closer to strategic models. There are two retractable rods, they are designed to work with air tankers of the Il-76 type and other tankers in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces. Also, an increase in flight range is facilitated by the possibility of hanging external tanks dropped after takeoff.

Means of crew rescue

The pilots take their seats throughthe lower ladder passing through the niche of the front pillar, and they also exit the aircraft through it if the flight ended without an emergency. The ejection is carried out in the traditional way, upwards, and the speed and height do not matter. With the help of K-36DM ejection seats, the emergency escape of the aircraft is quite safe, each crew member has a portable emergency supply equipped with a radio beacon, life raft, first aid kit, food and other means of survival after landing. In flight, normal life is provided by anti-G overalls, protective helmets and an oxygen supply.

Chassis

The increase in takeoff weight dictated special requirements for the new chassis - it has become more powerful, bogie type. Possible damage, in the event of a full-scale military conflict, to the runways of the main airfields also became a condition for increased cross-country ability for the use of the Su-34 aircraft from less prepared sites.

The new main struts have become more voluminous compared to the Su-27, which required additional space in the fuselage. That is why mechanization of air intakes is simplified.

Armaments

To accommodate a variety of weapons systems, three ventral external suspension units and eight underwing units are provided. In addition to them, the bomber has a built-in gun of 30 mm caliber type GSh-301. Since it is impossible to take into account all possible options for the development of the operational situation,means of conducting air combat are also provided. To destroy enemy aircraft, up to twelve long-range R-27 air-to-air missiles, or 8 medium-range (R-77) or short-range (R-73) air-to-air missiles can be mounted on suspensions. But the legendary Su-34 aircraft were mainly created not for air combat. A versatile weapon that strikes ground targets with high accuracy. These are Kh-59M cruise missiles (up to 3 units), conventional and anti-ship missiles, guided and unguided bombs (land mines from 100 to 500 kg), as well as NURSs in cassettes.

Features

Overall dimensions are about the same as those of the Su-27 (14.7 m - wingspan, 22 m - length and about 6 m - height). The normal takeoff weight is 39 tons, which is more than a heavy interceptor, but less than most tactical bombers. However, it can exceed 44 tons at maximum load. The aircraft develops a speed of up to 900 km/h at an altitude of 11,000 and 1,400 km/h at the surface. The combat radius is from 600 to 1130 km, depending on the amount of fuel and weapons, the ferry range reaches 4500 km. Ceiling (practical) - 17 thousand. The value of the maximum operational overload meets the requirements for maneuverable interceptors - 7 g.

Combat experience

Only an analysis of episodes of direct participation in specific military conflicts can give a true picture of the advantages and disadvantages that the Su-34 combat aircraft has. Specifications speak for themselvesin many ways, but since this bomber was not exported, it can only be judged by the reviews of Russian pilots and the results of its operation in a real situation. During the South Ossetian operation, the Su-34s were not used for direct fire strikes, however, they contributed to the suppression of the activity of Georgian air defense systems, creating electronic interference that disorientated them. For this, for the first time in practice, compact electronic warfare equipment "Khibiny" mounted on external hardpoints were used.

From the very beginning of the military operation over the territory of the SAR, the Russian air group included six Su-34 bombers, which this time are used for their intended purpose, namely for strikes using ultra-precise weapons. In the region of Raqqa and Madan Jadid, they destroyed command posts, communications centers, arsenals, training camps and other infrastructure facilities of the army of a terrorist state. The use of these aircraft continues, and, apparently, will increase the pace. This assumption is based on the high efficiency demonstrated by the Su-34. Currently, their number in the Middle East theater has been increased to a dozen.

Real state and plans

Today, the number of Su-34 aircraft in service with the Aerospace Forces is at least 83 units. Of these, 75 serial samples, and 8 more are intended for fine-tuning and testing. In particular, four bombers are in the flight test center. Chkalov in Astrakhanregion (Akhtubinsk). In active military units (air regiments) throughout the country - from Murmansk to Rostov and from Khabarovsk to Voronezh - these aircraft are part of mixed units. According to the contract concluded with the Moscow Region in 2008, the delivery of 32 units was planned for a total amount of over 33 billion rubles, from which we can conclude how much the Su-34 aircraft costs (a little over a billion each). In 2008, the order was increased by another 92 bombers. The Novosibirsk Aircraft Plant (NAPO) became the production base. At present, the mass production of machines has been organized, which significantly reduces the cost.

In the coming years, the still solid, but obsolete Su-24 in air regiments will completely replace the Su-34. The technical characteristics of the new sample meet the standards of the “fourth with two pluses” generation, which will ensure its long service in the Russian Air Force.