In the war against Ukraine, Russia uses Su-34 fighters to strike Ukrainian military personnel and carry out terrorist attacks on civilian targets. ICTV Facts tells about the main characteristics of the Su-34 bomber.
Su-34: What is known about the fighter-bomber
The Su-34 is a Russian fighter-bomber designed to replace the aging Su-27 military aircraft. It was developed to more accurately engage air targets and to provide the air force with precision air strikes against ground targets.
The difference between the Su-34 and previous Soviet aircraft was the change in the entrance to the crew cabin, which now takes place in the niche of the supporting front part of the chassis. The ability to refuel the aircraft in the air was also added, which made it possible to fly a distance of about 4 thousand km.
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In order to increase the stability of the aircraft and the protection of the crew, the outer body of the cabin was made of an armored shell made of titanium alloy. The thickness of the armor of the Su-34 is 17 mm. The cabin also has armored glazing.
The first flight of the Su-34-T10V-1 took place on April 13, 1990. At that time, it was primarily intended to destroy ground and surface targets, including small, mobile ones, both during the day and at night, in any climatic and weather conditions. Serial production of the aircraft was carried out at the Chkalov Novosibirsk Aviation Production Association.
Yuri Ignat, a representative of the Air Force, noted that one such aircraft could cost up to $50 million.
Features and purpose of the Su-34
The capabilities of the Su-34 include striking air targets and small-area ground targets.
The aircraft is armed with a 30 mm cannon and has 12 points for carrying a combat load, the weight of which should not exceed 8 tons. For the use of airborne weapons, the aircraft is equipped with a sighting system that allows searching for and hitting targets using a radar system.
That is:
- Cannon armament: GSh-301 cannon (1×30 mm)
- Suspension points: 12
- Combat load: various weapons on external suspension (8 thousand kg)
The Platan optical system is used to guide Kh-29L air-to-ground missiles and KAB-500-L and KAB-1500-L guided bombs with laser homing heads that require target illumination.
The aircraft's capabilities allow the use of NATO-class bombs and missiles. The module, made in the form of a suspended container, allows the use of BGL-series guided bombs, optical detection of armored vehicles at a range of up to 27 km, and control of the laser channel of guided bombs and missiles at a range of up to 16 km.
In addition to using NATO ammunition nomenclature, Damocles technologies are adapted to the use of Russian ammunition.
Photo: Getty Images
Technical specifications
The Su-34 fighter is equipped with two AL-31F-M1 engines. The weight of one engine is 1,520 kg. In case of failure of one of the engines, the pilot has the opportunity to make an emergency landing of the aircraft, however, two engines increase the weight of the aircraft and it loses the lightness that is necessary for fighters in air combat.
The Su-34 fighter-bomber has the following characteristics:
- Crew: 2 persons
- Engine: 2 × AL-31F-M1 turbofan
- Wingspan: 14.7 m
- Wing area: 62 m²
- Sweep angle: 42°
- Wing aspect ratio: 3.5
- Length: 23.3 m
- Height: 6.0 m
- Chassis base: 6.63 m
- Chassis track: 4.4 m
- Empty weight: 22,500 kg
- Normal takeoff weight: 38,240 kg
- Maximum takeoff weight: 45 thousand kg
Thrust:
- Maximum: 2 x 7,670 kgf (74.6 kN)
- Afterburner: 2×13,500 kgf (132.4 kN)
- Bypass ratio: 0.571
- Engine weight: 1,520 kg
Flight characteristics:
- Flight range: 4 thousand km
- Service ceiling: 17 thousand m
- Combat radius: 1,100 km
- Maximum ground speed: 1,400 km/h
- Maximum speed at high altitude: 1,900 km/h (Mach 1.8)
Wing loading:
- At normal takeoff weight: 616 kg/m²
- At maximum takeoff weight: 725 kg/m²
Towing capacity:
- Maximum operational overload: +7 (or +9) G
- At normal takeoff weight: 0.71
- At maximum takeoff weight: 0.6
