Maximum bomb load su 34. Russian aviation

The Su-34 is a bomber aircraft designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau. The development of this device was started in the 80s of the last century. An experienced R.G. was appointed the chief designer of the project. Martirosov, but the designer M.P. Simonov, who made great efforts to create this aircraft.

As for the project of the Su-34 aircraft, in the design bureau this aircraft was designated as T-10V. The intention was to put the Su-27UB aircraft at the basis of this device. According to the original project, it was planned to modernize a large number of systems of the Su-27 aircraft, which would eventually lead to the emergence of a new modification.

A brief history of the appearance and testing of the Su-34 aircraft

The design of a new machine called the Su-34 was completed in early 1990. After the development was completed, the production of a prototype began. The new machine was created by reworking the Su-27UB training aircraft. It was equipped with all the equipment and parts of the structure that the designers thought of. this work was carried out at the Sukhoi aircraft plant, the workers replaced the nose, engine nacelles and air intakes.

For the first time, the converted machine carried out its flight in the spring of 1991. The Su-39 model fighter-bomber was completely ready in the winter of 1993. A year later, this machine was presented to the public in Paris at an air show. In the plans of manufacturers, the idea of ​​selling it on world markets is clearly visible, since it has an English abbreviation at international exhibitions. Some vehicles are painted in marine colors, which allows them to be used over water areas and placed on aircraft carriers.

Features of the Su-34

When designing the Su-39, all the experience of aircraft design at the Sukhoi Design Bureau was taken into account, which made it possible to achieve such high results. The cockpit is made as a monolithic armored capsule. In addition to the cabin, all vital systems and units are equipped with armor, which increases the survivability of the vehicle. The entire armor of the aircraft has a mass of almost 1.5 tons. To increase survivability, the aircraft is equipped with active protection systems, which are the same as in the Su-27 aircraft.

For more efficient performance of combat missions, all processes are performed by the pilot and his assistant-navigator. The cockpit is quite comfortable and spacious, you can even stand up in it. In addition, the aircraft is equipped with a toilet and a special cabinet for heating food. The cockpit is capable of maintaining a normal microclimate, which allows flights at an altitude of 10 kilometers without the use of oxygen masks. All these systems contribute to better performance of the pilots of the machine even during long flights, which can be up to 10 hours.

The Su-34 aircraft was designed to destroy both ground and water targets of the enemy. In addition, he is able to hit moving targets, even small ones. As for air targets, the aircraft has the ability to destroy air targets at any time of the day or night under any meteorological conditions.

The program for the development and improvement of the Su-34 aircraft is the most promising, since the aircraft has excellent flight and tactical characteristics.

Design features of the Su-34 bomber

This machine is designed as a longitudinal triplane, which has an integral layout. The wings of the vehicle are connected to the body of the vehicle via an integrated circuit. They have a trapezoidal shape, and their front edge is arrow-shaped. The tail of the aircraft is almost the same as in the previous version.

The cockpit has seats for the pilot and navigator, it is fully sealed and armored. The cabin is heated and has air conditioning. For better interaction between pilots, their seats are located side by side. The pilot's seat is set on the left, and the navigator sits on the right side of the board. To get into the cockpit, the pilots climb through the niche for the front landing gear on a special folding ladder.

The landing gear of the aircraft is made according to the cart type, and the wheels are arranged in a tandem way, which improves the quality of take-off from airfields that are poorly prepared. The front landing gear is steerable and equipped with two wheels. All landing gear during flight are retracted into niches. The rear racks of the car are equipped with brake systems.

The power plant of the aircraft is represented by two turbojet engines, which are equipped with two afterburners. Engines of the AL-31 type, which are installed on the Su-34 aircraft, develop power up to 14,000 kgf.

The fuel system is represented in this aircraft by three tanks in the middle of the fuselage: one in the middle of the center section, and two more tanks are located in the wing consoles. Fuel pumps, which are equipped with the fuel system, supply fuel to the engines, regardless of the position of the machine in the air. On hauls, you can install additional hanging tanks, which, if necessary, can be dropped directly during the flight. As for the fuel system and the length of flights, it should be noted that the aircraft is equipped with an in-flight refueling system. Refueling can be carried out from similar Su-34 type aircraft or from Il-78 type tankers.

The aircraft is equipped with the latest integrated navigation system, which allows you to keep in touch with the satellite. For easier control, the machine has a multi-channel SDU system. It is capable of independently analyzing overloads and angles of attack, and also controls the PGO and, at the same time, effectively dampens all vibrations. The security system is so high quality that it can automatically prevent collisions with other objects or the ground.

To solve all combat missions, the aircraft is equipped with the latest generation avionics system, it is almost completely automatic. All information systems that are located on board are arranged in an autonomous version.

Su-34 characteristics:

Production

Supplies

Modernization 2010

Combat use

Tactical and technical characteristics

Specifications

Flight characteristics

Armament

In service

Interesting Facts

Su-34(product "T10V", according to NATO codification: Full back) - Soviet / Russian fighter-bomber of the "4+" generation

Created on the basis of the Su-27. Designed for delivering high-precision strikes, including with the help of nuclear weapons, against land and surface targets at any time of the day.

In total, 124 Su-34s will enter service with Russia by 2020.

History

On June 19, 1986, the development of the T-10V began. The first flight of the Su-34 prototype (Su-27IB "fighter-bomber") - T10V-1 took place on April 13, 1990. It was piloted by the honored test pilot of the USSR Ivanov A.A. The T10V-1 was the result of a deep modernization of the well-known Su-27 air supremacy fighter. It was intended, first of all, for the destruction of ground and surface targets, including small and mobile ones, both in the tactical and operational depths of the enemy, in all weather and climatic conditions, day and night.

The new Su-34s are intended to replace the older Su-24 bombers. On December 28, 1994, the first serial Su-34 (T-10V-5) took off from the airfield of the Novosibirsk Aviation Plant.

The Sukhoi Design Bureau completely reconfigured the cockpit, the entrance to which, unlike the Su-24, was through the niche of the front landing gear.

The first pre-production model of the aircraft was built at the end of 1993, the first flight on it was performed on December 18, 1993 by I. V. Votintsev and E. G. Revunov. In the spring of 1995, a new car was shown in France at the international air show in Le Bourget. In Paris, the Su-34 was exhibited under the designation Su-32FN (Su-32FN). The letters in the designation were translated as "Fighter Navy" - a naval fighter.

The first stage of the CSI ended on October 30, 2006 with more than 200 flights (5 Su-34s participated). The final stage of the ICG was completed on September 19, 2011.

Production

As of 2011, 22 Su-34s were manufactured, including prototypes (b/n 42-48) and production ones (b/n 01-09 and b/n 01-05, 10). Aircraft with b / n 46, 47, 01, 03 are being tested at the 929th GLITs (Akhtubinsk); b / n 02, 04-09 in the 968th IISAP (Lipetsk); b / n 48 participates in the exposition of the MAKS air show (Zhukovsky); prototypes with b / n 42, 43, 44, 45 are no longer involved in the flight test program. Board numbers from 01 to 05 produced in 2006-2009. will remain in GLITs (2 boards) and TsBPiPLS (3 boards); b / n 06, 07, 08, 09 produced in 2010, as well as b / n 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 10 produced in 2011 - at the 7000th AB Baltimore (Voronezh).

On December 12 and 22, 2011, six new Su-34 bombers arrived at the Baltimore air base in Voronezh, thus this base became the first among the combat units of the Air Force to receive these machines.

2008, a 5-year contract No. 319/3/1-EOZ was signed on November 10, 2008 worth 33.6 billion rubles for the supply of 32 aircraft, work began in 2009. On March 1, 2012, Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov and Sukhoi CEO Igor Ozar signed a state contract for the supply of 92 Su-34 front-line bombers by 2020.

In total, the Air Force intends to purchase 124 aircraft of this type.

Mass production aircraft established at the Novosibirsk Aviation Plant. The cost of one Su-34 aircraft is about 1 billion rubles.

In early 2008, NAPO announced that it was the first in Russia to organize the assembly line of the latest Su-34 front-line bombers. The total cost of technical equipment will be more than 50 million euros.

Automation of the process should lead to the fact that it will be possible to assemble up to 20 cars at the same time, and the repair of aircraft will take place twice as fast.

The workshop was reconstructed throughout 2007. Sukhoi Holding carries out, within the framework of the state defense order, the repair and modernization of Su-24M front-line bombers and the assembly of the latest Su-34 fighter-bombers.

Sukhoi holding representative:

Supplies

• On December 15, 2006, the first 2 Su-34s were transferred to the Russian Air Force. The aircraft with tail number "01" entered the 929th GLITS to continue state tests.
• On August 3, 2007, tail number "02" was adopted as part of the Lipetsk PPI and PLS.
• In December 2008, tail number "03" was transferred to the Air Force.
• On December 19, 2009, 2 more Su-34s were received - tail numbers "04" and "05".
• On December 20, 2010, 4 more bombers were transferred (the first 4 out of 32, under the 2008 contract)
• On December 10, 2011, the Western Military District adopted 6 Su-34s.
• December 28, 2012 Western Military District (Baltimore Air Base) 5 Su-34s.
• January 25, 2013 Western Military District (Baltimore Air Base) 5 Su-34s.
• On May 6, 2013, the first aircraft produced in 2013 was received from the planned 12 for this year.
• On July 9, 2013, 3 Su-34s were received.

At the beginning of 2012, the Russian Ministry of Defense signed a contract with Sukhoi for the supply of 92 Su-34s until 2020, in addition to the already signed contract for 32 vehicles. Delivery of 12 Su-34s is expected in 2013.

Modernization 2010

On June 8, 2010, it became known about the passing state tests for new modifications of the Su-34 bombers. Tests of new options for the aircraft were carried out at the State Flight Test Center of the Russian Air Force in Akhtubinsk. In September 2011, information appeared in the press about the completion of these tests. The decision of the Russian government on the adoption of new bombers into service was issued in 2012. On the this moment The following enhancements are known:

• New types of air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles.
• Upgraded high-temperature turbojet bypass engines AL-31F-M1.
• The aircraft is equipped with an updated L-150 radiation warning station (SPO).
• Auxiliary gas turbine power plant TA14-130-35, which will allow the launch of Su-34 engines on the ground without the use of ground equipment. According to preliminary estimates, such an installation will increase the autonomy of the use of front-line bombers and expand the list of airfields based on them. All Su-34s produced since 2011 are equipped with an auxiliary gas turbine power unit TA14-130-35.

Combat use

For the first time, the Su-34 was used during the war in South Ossetia (2 Su-34s). The aircraft was used to cover the actions of strike aircraft, conducting electronic warfare with Georgian air defense systems. To suppress the RES, the Su-34 put interference from the battle formations, which did not allow the Georgian air defense system to successfully decouple from interference. The Su-34 group protection active jamming container showed high efficiency in the course of combat operations.

The Su-34 attacked the most dangerous radio-electronic systems of the Buk air defense system and S-125 with anti-radar missiles - during combat use it destroyed the key Georgian radar station 36D6-M near the village of Shavshvebi near Gori.

Grade

The Su-34 is the only combat aircraft in the Russian Air Force capable of using the entire range of high-precision weapons (for comparison: in the 2008 war with Georgia, even the modernized Su-24s could only use conventional bombs and rockets at a distance of 2-3 km).

Following the results of 6 years of operation of the Su-34, problems with the unstable operation of the radar and aiming and navigation system were noticed on the first copies of the aircraft. What, according to experts, are typical problems for all new aircraft (the so-called "growing pains"). On aircraft delivered in 2011-2012, most of these defects were eliminated.

The Su-34 has been intensively used in combat units since 2012, half of the Su-34s already have 200-250 flying hours in 2013.

: 1 × 30 mm gun GSh-30-1

In service

• Russian Air Force - 29 Su-34s, as of 2013. A total of 124 Su-34s have been ordered by 2020.
• 7000th air base 1st category (Baltimore airfield)
• Shagol airfield (plan 2015)

Among Russian pilots, the Su-34 was nicknamed "Duck" because of the nose of the aircraft resembling a duck's beak.

The Su-34 is a Russian-made fighter-bomber designed to attack enemy ground targets with aircraft weapons, in conditions of active countermeasures by air defense systems. The effectiveness of the aircraft is achieved through the use of innovative means for electronic warfare, unique combat qualities, as well as the ability to destroy air targets, regardless of the time of day and weather conditions. The Russian military calls this fighter "duckling", and when it comes to its combat characteristics - "hell duckling".

According to its tactical and technical parameters, the Su-34 belongs to the 4++ generation. When performing combat missions, it does not need to be accompanied by cover fighters, thanks to its high combat qualities, which allow it to independently conduct maneuverable air combat with almost any existing military aircraft in the world.

The history of the creation of the aircraft

The Su-34 aircraft was created to replace the Su-24 front-line bomber, which proved itself well in a number of armed conflicts, but is outdated. During the development process, it was taken into account that the potential enemy is armed with a large number of 4th generation vehicles. The fighter was designed based on the experience of combat operation of all Russian military aircraft that existed at that time, as well as foreign experience in using aviation forces in local conflicts.

The development of the machine began in June 1986. The project was codenamed "T-10V" or "Su-27IB" (fighter-bomber). As can be understood from the last name, the Su-27 fighter project was used as the basis for the new aircraft. The first T-10V prototype flew for the first time on April 13, 1990. The aircraft was first presented to the general public under the name SU-32F only in 1995, as part of the international air show in Le Bourget (France).

Later, two prototypes and one bench model were produced. After a series of tests, the release of seven pre-production machines followed, one of which was modified to the characteristics of a production aircraft.

The fighter-bomber was put into production in April 2005 at the Novosibirsk Aviation Plant. The first production aircraft took to the skies on October 12, 2006 at the airport. Chkalov. The piloting of the new machine was entrusted to Evgeny Rudakas and Rustem Asadullin. State tests were started on October 30 of the same year, and took place in parallel with the production of the first models.

In 2008, the manufacturing plant signed a 5-year contract for the supply of 32 aircraft to the Russian Air Force, and in 2012, an 8-year contract for the supply of another 92 aircraft. In March 2014, the Su-34 was adopted by the Russian Federation. By 2020, the new fighter should completely replace its predecessor, the Su-24 model.

Fighter-bomber design

The Su-34 is designed to deliver bombing attacks in the operational and tactical rear of the enemy, regardless of the time of day and weather conditions, including at low altitudes. In addition, he can adequately conduct air combat and destroy enemy aircraft.

The aircraft is built according to the "longitudinal triplane" aerodynamic scheme, which allows to increase its maneuverability, in comparison with models made according to the usual scheme. In addition, compared to the Su-27 fighter, the Su-34 has an increased bomb load and fuel capacity. The front part has a flattened shape, for which the plane was called the "duckling". It is equipped with a double cabin, in which measures have been taken to increase the level of comfort for crew members during long flights.

Power point

The aircraft is equipped with a pair of engines of the TRDDF AL-31F-M1 model. Each of them has 13,300 kgf of thrust, which allows the car to accelerate to a speed of 1900 km / h. Since the constant modernization of the fighter is expected, its design allows the replacement of engines with new ones, the AL-41F models. Such engines give up to 14,500 kgf of thrust and allow you to fly in the "supercruise" mode. Thanks to this mode, the aircraft receives a lot of advantages, in particular, the issue of high fuel consumption during afterburner flight is solved.

forward looking radar

The aircraft is equipped with the Sh-141 radar station, which makes it possible to effectively detect ground and air targets. The detection range of this system ranges from 75 to 250 kilometers and depends on the size of the target. At the same time, the radar can track up to 10 targets, and fire up to 4. It is also capable of assisting in the guidance of air-to-air missiles equipped with its own radars by “target illumination”. For short-range missiles equipped with an infrared homing head, the radar provides the initial coordinates of the target. The system also provides for the possibility of flying at extremely low altitude and automatic terrain avoidance.

rear view radar

Between the motors, in a special container, there is a rear-view radar. It monitors fighter attacks in the rear hemisphere and, as a countermeasure, offers a mode of shelling the attacking aircraft with RVV-AE air-to-air missiles. Thus, a pilot intending to attack a pursuing aircraft does not need to waste precious time maneuvering.

Since rear-view radar with missile launch capability is a unique technology that has not yet been used even on advanced Western fighters, and even promising NATO bombers, many experts are debating the reality of its existence and the effectiveness of its use. Lively discussions are caused by the lack of free access to official data about her.

Suspended equipment for reconnaissance

For the use of the Su-34 aircraft as a reconnaissance aircraft, it is possible to install suspended equipment on it, namely the UKR (universal reconnaissance container) "Sych". Depending on the type of reconnaissance, it can be carried out in three versions: radar, radio engineering and optical.

reflective area

During aircraft development Special attention focused on reducing its effective scattering area. For this purpose, composite materials were used, which, due to the radio absorbing coating, are able to reduce the level of reflection of radar waves. In addition, during the design of the aerodynamic scheme of the hull, aerodynamic strokes were excluded, and the airframe geometry was calculated in a special way. As a result, according to representatives of the Sukhoi Design Bureau, when flying at low altitude, the degree of radar visibility of the aircraft is at the level of cruise missiles, despite the fact that the dimensions of the Su-34, of course, are several times larger.

Electronic warfare and suppression of air defense systems

In order to be able to counter enemy radar in the event of its detection, the aircraft has equipment for electronic warfare. This complex allows approximately thirty times to reduce the likelihood of hitting a fighter through radar-guided systems. From the point of view of electronic warfare (electronic warfare), the fighter is equipped on a level with specialized machines. According to Western experts, the power of its EW system is similar in level to the systems of EA-18G and EF-111A aircraft.

For fire destruction of enemy air defense radar systems, the vehicle is armed with Kh-15P, Kh-58 and Kh-31P missiles with a range of 120-160 km, as well as Kh-31PD missiles with a range of 180-250 km. Excellent proof practical effectiveness EW Su-34 is the fact that during one of the conflicts in Georgia it was used as an electronic warfare fighter.

Aircraft guidance aids

For the effective use of weapons, the Su-34 is equipped with an aiming system that allows you to search for and destroy enemy targets using radar. The complex includes the Platon system, designed to direct X-29 missiles, as well as KAB-500-L and KAB-1500-L guided bombs. Kh-29T missiles and KAB-500Kr bombs do not need further guidance. Having received the initial coordinates of the target, they are aimed at it by means of a TV camera installed in the homing head.

The sighting system, used to defeat conventional means (unguided bombs and rockets), provides high performance accuracy, which has been noted more than once by experts, including NATO representatives, based on the experience of using the Su-34 in Syria. Important is the fact that bombing with unguided missiles is much cheaper. The stocks of such weapons left in Russia from the USSR allow significant savings. This is extremely important, given that the cost of the Su-34 is more than a billion rubles.

The characteristics of the fighter make it possible to use NATO missiles and bombs with the help of the Damocles module, produced at the Ural Optical and Mechanical Plant under license from Thales Group. The development of this module was a forced measure in the execution of the contract for the supply of Su-30 fighters to Malaysia.

To increase the level of protection for the crew and the survivability of the aircraft as a whole, the outer body of the cockpit is made of an armored titanium shell. During its development, the experience of the combat use of Su-25 fighters was taken into account. The Su-34 received much thicker armor (17 mm), which is capable of stopping projectiles up to 12.7 mm in caliber. The total mass of armor is 1480 kilograms, which is one and a half times more than that of the aforementioned predecessor. In addition to the thickness, the protection of the Su-34 is notable for the fact that it is made entirely of titanium alloy, without the use of steel and aluminum plates.

The Su-34 cockpit is equipped with a pair of K-36DM model ejection seats, which allow ejection at any height, including from the ground. The pilots enter the workplace through the lower hatch, equipped with steps.

Crew life support

For efficient and comfortable work of the crew during long-range flights (with additional fuel tanks, the aircraft can cover a distance of up to 7 thousand kilometers), the fighter is equipped with systems that increase comfort.

Among these it is worth noting:

1. Dry closet.
2. Fold-out bed.
3. Sealed housing and oxygen system, allowing to climb to a height of up to 10 thousand km without the use of oxygen masks.
4. Cabin heating and air conditioning.
5. Kitchen compartment with microwave and thermoses.
6. Free space, allowing you to straighten up to your full height.
7. Electromassage built into the chair.
8. Projection of the dashboard on the glass, which allows you to monitor the performance of the machine, being outside the workplace.

Means for working with an unprepared airfield

The Su-34 aircraft is equipped with an auxiliary gas turbine engine of the TA14-130-35 model, which allows autonomous launch of the main engine without the use of ground-based launchers. This feature enables the machine to take off from any airfield and significantly expands its range.

Fire extinguishing system

To increase the level of survivability of the fighter and the safety of its pilots, it is equipped with automatic fire extinguishing equipment and means for duplicating all major systems. Fuel tanks are protected from fire and explosion by filling with polyurethane foam. The essence of the technology is the effect of "encapsulation" of the fuel, which prevents the formation of a combustible vapor-air mixture in the event of damage to the fuel tank.

Specifications

Finally, consider the main performance characteristics of the Su-34:

1. Dimensions: length - 23.3 m, height - 6.09 m, wingspan - 14.7 m.
2. Chassis base - 6.63 m.
3. Weight: normal - 39 tons, maximum - 45 tons.
4. Fuel reserve - 12.1 tons.
5. Maximum engine thrust: without afterburner -8250 kgf, with afterburner - 13500 kgf.
6. The maximum overload is 7 G.
7. Maximum speed: at altitude - 2200 km / h, near the ground - 1400 km / h.
8. Practical ceiling - 17 km.

Combat use

In August 2008, the Russian Su-34 in the amount of 2 units passed the baptism of fire in South Ossetia. The fighters were used for electronic warfare against Georgian air defense and cover for strike aircraft.

Since the end of September 2015, 6 Su-34 fighters have been used in military operations in Syria. In the area of ​​​​the settlements of Raqqa and Madan Jadid, from a height of about 5 km, the planes launched the first strikes on terrorist targets.

In the spring of 2016, Su-34 military aircraft were used in the Vologda Oblast in a rather unusual way - to throw bombs on ice jams.

The development of the bomber (first classified as a fighter-bomber) Su-27IB, which had the factory code T-10V, has been carried out since the early 1980s. under the general guidance of M.P. Simonov. R. G. Martirosov was appointed chief designer of the aircraft.

Initially, work on the T-10V went in the direction of modifying the two-seat Su-27UB aircraft, in the practically unchanged design of the airframe of which it was supposed to fit new electronic equipment and weapons. However, in the future, it was decided to place the crew nearby, which promised to increase the effectiveness of combat use and flight safety. In addition, this arrangement made it possible to get rid of the duplication of a number of devices. The ergonomics of the cockpit were also improved, which made it possible to perform longer flights.

The next step was the use of a wing with a new influx, which housed the front horizontal tail. It was decided to abandon the adjustable air intake, which was due to the specifics of the combat use of attack aircraft.

By 1990, the design of a new machine was basically completed, and soon at the pilot production of the machine-building plant named after. P.O. Sukhoi began work on the transformation of one of the serial combat training aircraft Su-27UB into a prototype of the T-10V-1 fighter-bomber (later known as the Su-34-1). At the Novosibirsk Aviation Plant. V.P. Chkalova made a new nose section of the aircraft, which was installed on the upgraded glider "sparky". The air intakes and engine nacelles were also replaced.

The first flight of the converted aircraft took place on April 13, 1991 at the airfield of the LII. M.M. Gromova. The car was piloted by the honored test pilot A. Ivanov.

Simultaneously with the testing of the first prototype aircraft at the Novosibirsk Plant. V.P. Chkalov began preparations for the mass production of a fighter-bomber, which received another name - the Su-34. At the end of 1993, the assembly of the first pre-production aircraft was completed, and on December 18, the Su-34 with tail number "43", piloted by test pilots I.V. Votintsev and A.I. Gaivoronsky, took to the air for the first time. On March 3, 1994, he made a non-stop flight from Novosibirsk to the Moscow region, to the airfield in Zhukovsky. In the summer of 1994, this machine was first publicly demonstrated at the international aerospace show in Paris. It was renamed again and appeared before the Parisians as the Su-32FN (FN - Fighter Navy, that is, a naval fighter). The English abbreviation in the name of the aircraft testified to the desire of its creators to promote the bomber to the world arms market (after repainting in new, "marine" colors, the aircraft also received a new side tactical number "45").

The creators of the Su-34 took into account the experience of the combat use of aviation at low altitudes. The cockpit of this aircraft is made (for the first time in world practice on machines of this class) in the form of an armored titanium capsule. Other vital structural elements received similar protection, in particular, a consumable fuel tank and engines. The total mass of structural protection elements was 1480 kg. All this, combined with the protective equipment implemented on the Su-27 aircraft, provided the Su-34 with a high degree of survival in low-altitude flight over a territory saturated with air defense systems.

Another element that increases combat survivability was the presence of a second control in the navigator-operator. A long flight on the Su-34 has become much more comfortable. Crew members got the opportunity to stand up in the cockpit to their full height, which allows them to restore the performance of stiff muscles, a toilet and a cabinet for heating food appeared in the cockpit. The air system at an altitude of up to 10,000 m maintains the pressure in the cockpit corresponding to an altitude of 2,400 m, thanks to which the crew flies without oxygen masks. There is a powerful air conditioning system. All this ensures high performance of pilots in long-term flights up to 10 hours, further increasing the combat potential of the Su-34.

Su-34 is designed to destroy ground (surface), including small-sized, mobile and stationary objects in the tactical and operational depth of the enemy, as well as air targets, day and night, in simple and adverse weather conditions.

Currently, the Su-34 is considered as one of the most priority programs of the Russian Air Force. According to a number of experts, the level of avionics of this machine allows it to be classified as a fifth-generation combat aircraft.

The aircraft has significant potential for further development. Currently, in addition to the bomber modification, work is underway to create new versions of the Su-34, in particular a reconnaissance aircraft and an electronic warfare aircraft. In the future, after the Rybinsk plant masters the mass production of a new generation turbofan engine - AL-41F - with a maximum thrust of about 20,000 kgf, equipped with a thrust vector control system, which is expected in 2005; this engine is planned to be installed on the Su-34.

Design features

Glider The Su-34 is made according to the "integral longitudinal triplane" scheme and has a pronounced integral layout. The wing, integrally connected with the fuselage, is trapezoidal and has a leading edge sweep of 42°. PGO is made all-moving. Stabilizer - differentially deflected. Compared to the Su-27, the shape of the cantilever parts of the wing and tail unit has been practically unchanged, however, the wing influxes have been extended to the forward fuselage with an ellipsoidal section. The nose is extended for the installation of a radar antenna. The nose cone of the aircraft has a flattened shape with developed lateral influxes and pointed edges. Inside the fairing is a radar with a small antenna. It has no ventral ridges.

Power plant and fuel system

Airborne equipment and systems

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Armament

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Dimensions

Masses and loads, kg

Flight characteristics

Links

• Su-34- a book from the aviation series Polygon.

Sources

• Ilyin V. "Front-line bomber Su-34". "Bulletin of Aviation and Cosmonautics", 1999, No. 3.
• Ilyin V., Levin M. “Su-34. frontline bomber. "Bombers". - M.: Victoria, AST, 1997.
• Kotlobovsky A. "Su-34". "Post-War Attack Aircraft". "Archive-Press", Kyiv, 1997.
• Mikheev A., Fomin A. "Su-34". "Polygon Aviation Series", Moscow: Favorite book, 1995.
• "Encyclopedia of the arms of Cyril and Methodius".

Helped

• Oleg "Alec" Lazinkov (Scanning)

News about Su-32/34

• Combat tests of the new SU-27IB strike fighter aircraft, which has no analogues in the world, are being completed in Chechnya. ITAR-TASS, 01/22/2000

As you know, Americans love to make various ratings, including those related to technology. Naturally, in these ratings, the first places are occupied by samples and products of American production.

On October 24, a publication appeared on Voennoye Obozreniye: "Su-30SM and F-22: advantages and disadvantages." In which the author Dave Majumdar quite seriously claims that the Russian Su-30SM combat aircraft, which are in many ways direct analogues of the F-15E Strike Eagle and F / A-18F Super Hornet, are doomed to defeat when they meet with American fighters.

Let's leave this very controversial conclusion on the conscience of the author and try to compare the American F-15E Strike Eagle fighter-bomber with the Russian machine of a similar purpose - the Su-34.

It is the strike Su-34, and not the multipurpose Su-30SM, that should be considered an analogue of the F-15E Strike Eagle fighter-bomber in the Russian Air Force. The determining factor in this case is the presence on the Su-34 of a special sighting and navigation system adapted for the use of air-to-ground missile and bomb weapons.

The ability to carry a bomb load, as well as the presence of two pilots in the Su-30SM crew, are not the main features in the classification. After all, the Russian Su-27SM and Su-35 can also use free-fall bombs and NARs, but no one in their right mind would write these heavy fighters into bombers.

Chronology of creation and adoption

The F-15E and Su-34 aircraft are based on the F-15 and Su-27 heavy air superiority fighters. They were intended to replace attack aircraft with variable wing geometry - "air defense breakers": F-111 and Su-24.

Historically, the American F-15E Strike Eagle appeared in combat units much earlier than the Russian Su-34. The first Strike Eagles entered service with the 4th Air Wing at Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina in December 1988. In total, until 2001, 236 aircraft of this type were built for the US Air Force. In the mid-90s, one F-15E cost the US treasury $43 million.

"Thirty-four" was ready to start mass production in 1994, but due to lack of funding and collapse industrial cooperation and economic relations between enterprises of the former USSR, the prospects for this machine remained uncertain for a long time.

The Su-34 was remembered at the beginning of the 2000s due to the need to replace the Su-24M in the air regiments of front-line bomber aviation. The final stage of state joint testing of the "thirty-four" was completed in September 2011. Only at the beginning of 2014, the Su-34 was officially adopted by the Russian Air Force.

In connection with the urgent need for this combat aircraft, even before it was put into service in 2008, the first contract for the supply of 32 Su-34s was signed. Serial production began at NAPO them. Chkalov in Novosibirsk, where until 1993 the construction of Su-24M front-line bombers was carried out. At the same time, the cost of the Su-34 in 2008 was about one billion rubles.

In 2012, according to another contract, the number of aircraft delivered until 2020 was increased by another 92 units. As the number of Su-34s built increases, their price in absolute terms should decrease.

Design, equipment and weapons

The layout of the F-15E Strike Eagle bomber fighter is based on the two-seat combat trainer F-15D. Compared to the F-15D, the airframe of the fighter-bomber has been slightly strengthened. The pilots in the double cockpit of the F-15E are sitting one after another. In accordance with the strike missions on the aircraft, its avionics and weapons were changed.

A feature of the F-15E was the use of conformal fuel tanks on this aircraft, which are special streamlined non-resettable fuel tanks hung on the side surfaces of the fuselage. The resulting gaps are eliminated with special elastic gaskets.

Installing conformal fuel tanks on the F-15E

Compared to outboard tanks, conformal tanks do not increase the drag of the aircraft so much, allowing flights at speeds up to Mach 1.8. In this case, the stock of aviation fuel increases by more than 2/3. Suspension units on the surface of conformal tanks allow you to place additional weapons. The total fuel supply in internal and conformal tanks reaches 10217 kg. Suspension of 3 PTBs with a total capacity of 5396 kg is possible.

The stock of fuel in the internal tanks of the Su-34 exceeds 12,000 kg. The combat range and ferry range of the Su-34 and F-15E are almost equal, but the Russian bomber can carry a large bomb load for the same range. The combat radius of the Su-34 when flying at low altitude is somewhat greater. Both aircraft are equipped with an in-flight refueling system.

The thrust-to-weight ratio of the F-15E (the ratio of engine thrust to aircraft weight) with only air-to-air suspension is 0.93, which is slightly higher than the corresponding figure for the Su-34, which has a thrust-to-weight ratio of 0.71. This is due to the fact that the Su-34 is much heavier. So the empty weight of the Su-34 is 22,500 kg, and the F-15E is 14,300 kg. But this does not mean that the Su-34 is an easier opponent in close air combat.

The American aircraft has a slightly higher maximum speed - up to Mach 2.5. However, the indicated speed indicators of the F-15E can be achieved in the absence of external suspensions; when using the PTB, the speed is limited to 1.4M. Russian bomber accelerates - up to 1.8M. The cruising speed of both machines when performing shock missions is almost the same. The large mass of the Su-34, to some extent, is the price for better security and greater comfort for the crew.

The difference between "Dry" and "Strike Needle" is a spacious double cabin, in which the pilot and navigator sit in ejection seats K-36DM "shoulder to shoulder". The Su-34 cockpit has a mini-kitchen with a microwave and a bathroom, which greatly facilitates long-distance flights lasting up to 10 hours. The cockpit air conditioning system allows pilots to operate without oxygen masks at altitudes up to 10,000 meters.

Cockpit F-15E

Su-34 cockpit

The cockpit of the Su-34 is made in the form of a durable titanium armored capsule with an armor thickness of up to 17 mm. The armor also covers some of the vital components of the aircraft. This, to a certain extent, increases the survivability of the aircraft, and, most importantly, gives additional chances for the crew of a front-line bomber to survive.

The entrance to the armored cabin is through the niche of the front landing gear. For the characteristic shape of the front of the Su-34, he received a name in the troops - "Duckling".

Russian and American combat aircraft are equipped with sighting and navigation systems for the effective use of air-to-surface aviation weapons at any time of the day and in difficult weather conditions. And also by means of electronic warfare, built-in and suspended equipment, which allows you to make high-speed low-altitude "throws" at extremely low altitude at any time of the day.

The picture in the cockpit of the F-15E, broadcast by the LANTIRN system

The avionics of the Su-34 front-line bomber includes the L-175V Khibiny-10V electronic warfare system, which has unique characteristics for our front-line aviation. The complex provides individual and group protection against anti-aircraft and aviation weapons.

Su-34 with containers of the REP L-175V complex on the wing consoles and with a group protection container under the fuselage

Unlike the front-line bomber of the previous generation Su-24M, the jamming equipment of which was developed to counteract US-made anti-aircraft missile guidance stations: Nike-Hercules, Hawk and Patriot, the Su-34 REP system operates in a wider range . It can effectively interfere with any radar and air defense system, regardless of the country of manufacture.

The radars of both aircraft are capable of detecting aerial targets at a great distance; in terms of their characteristics, they are comparable to similar stations installed on "clean" fighters.

The American AN / APG-70 radar can see air targets at a distance of 180 km, it is expected that this station will be replaced by the AFAR AN / APG-82 radar on part of the F-15E.

The Sh-141 and AN / APG-70 radars can also be used in the earth surface mapping mode and provide the detection of ground and surface radio-contrast targets, as well as the use of weapons. The detection range of large ground and surface targets of the Sh-141 radar is 200-250 km.

The Russian Sh-141 radar system provides detection of air targets at a distance of 100 km. It can track up to 10 air targets and fire on 4 targets.

In addition, at the design stage, the Su-34 was provided with a rear hemisphere surveillance radar to warn the crew about an attack by missiles and enemy fighters. This option on the Su-34 was supposed to significantly increase the chances of survival during a combat mission. But so far, the rear hemisphere survey station has not been brought to working condition.

To replace the reconnaissance Su-24M, the Orenburg OJSC PO Strela received an order from the Sukhoi company for the design of integrated reconnaissance containers (KKR) Sych for the Su-34 front-line bomber. It is planned to release reconnaissance containers of three variants: radio engineering, radar and optical-electronic.

The built-in 30 mm gun GSh-301 outperforms the gun mounted on the F-15E in terms of the power of the projectile. 12 Su-34 hardpoints can accommodate all types of air-to-surface weapons in service with Russian front-line aviation with a total weight of up to 8,000 kg.

Taking into account export orders for the Su-34, Damocles suspension containers have been adapted to ensure the use of BGL laser-guided guided bombs of NATO standards.

Just like the F-15D, the strike F-15E is armed with an integrated 20 mm M61 Vulcan cannon, but, compared to "clean" fighters, its ammunition load has been reduced in order to free up weight and free space for additional equipment.
The F-15E fighter-bomber is capable of carrying a wide range of air-to-surface and air-to-air munitions on 9 hardpoints. The total payload weight on the external sling can reach 11,000 kg.

However, it should be understood that the large bomb load on the Strike Eagle compared to the "thirty-four" is largely a fiction. Eleven tons is the total payload, taking into account the PTB and conformal tanks. In the case of full refueling for bombs and rockets, about 5000 kg remains. According to this indicator, the F-15E is somewhat inferior to the Su-34.

The F-15E is armed with guided and unguided bombs up to 2270 kg, including JDAM (a GPS-based kit that turns a free-fall bomb into a precision weapon), cluster munitions, AGM-65 Maverick guided missiles, heavy AGM-130 and AGM -158, HARM anti-radar missiles, Harpoon anti-ship missiles. F-15E is the carrier of tactical nuclear bombs of the B61 family.

Service and combat use

As of 2014, the US Air Force and National Guard had 213 F-15Es. These fighter-bombers are deployed in the United States at Seymour Johnson, Eglin, Luke, Nellis, Mountain Home, Elmerdorf air bases, and in the United Kingdom at Lakenhis Air Force Base.

satellite image Google earth: F-15E fighter-bombers at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina

F-15E participated in numerous armed conflicts unleashed by the United States. Their first combat episode was the participation in the company against Iraq in 1991. "Strike Eagles" bombed Iraqi infrastructure and troops, hunted for mobile rocket launchers"Scud".

There, the Americans first met with the MiG-29, both sides used guided missiles in air combat, but to no avail. However, the Iraqi Air Force behaved passively; Iraqi air defense systems posed a much greater threat to American strike vehicles. Two F-15Es were lost from their fire in 1991, the crew of one of them died.

The next time F-15Es appeared over Iraq was in 1993, when they provided a no-fly zone in the north of that country. In addition to air patrols, the aircraft attacked Iraqi radars, air defense systems and military installations.

In the same 1993, the Strike Needles participated in the operation in the Balkans. NATO forces intervened in the internal conflict in Yugoslavia, appointing the Serbs as the guilty party of all sins. First of all, the crews of the F-15E were involved in the destruction of air defense positions. After that, they began to bomb Serbian ground units in Bosnia and Croatia with impunity.

In March 1999, American fighter-bombers bombed Yugoslavia. Serbian radars and air defense systems again became priority targets for them. F-15Es flew sorties from the Italian air base Aviano and the British Lakenhis.

Shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks, F-15Es attacked the Taliban in Afghanistan from Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base in Kuwait. At the first stage of the operation, training camps, weapons and ammunition depots, as well as the entrances to the caves, in which, according to intelligence data, the leaders of Al-Qaeda and the Taliban movement could be located, were hit by GBU-15, GBU-24 and GBU-28 guided bombs. In the future, after the destruction of large stationary targets, the F-15E acted at the request of the allied ground forces.

F-15E over Afghanistan during Operation Mountain Lion, 2006

During sorties in Afghanistan, American fighter-bombers usually did not descend below 2,000 meters over mountain ranges in order to avoid being hit by MANPADS missiles.

In early March 2002, several F-15Es took part in the now widely known "Operation Anaconda". The purpose of the operation was to capture or physically eliminate the leadership of al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and destroy the bases and shelters of militants in the Shahi-Kot valley.

From the very beginning, due to errors in planning and inaccurate intelligence, the operation went wrong. The Americans several times underestimated the strength of the enemy in this area. As it turned out later, up to 1000 militants were present here.

During the landing of special forces, two MH-47 Chinook helicopters were shot down, losses in manpower amounted to 8 killed and 72 wounded American soldiers.

Only thanks to air support, including that provided by several F-15Es, did the Americans manage to turn the tide of the battle and avoid the complete destruction of the landing troops. At the same time, one F-15E fighter-bomber had to fire from a 20 mm cannon at the Taliban advancing on the positions of American special forces until the ammunition was completely used up, which has not been in the US Air Force since Vietnam.

Afghanistan has not been without "undesirable incidents." On 22 August 2007, an F-15E dropped 500-pound (230 kg) bombs on British military personnel. In the process, three soldiers were killed. On September 13, 2009, the F-15E crew was involved in the interception of the MQ-9 Reaper drone, which stopped responding to commands from the ground, after which it became likely that it would intrude into the airspace of another country. On July 18, 2009, an F-15E crashed in central Afghanistan killing two crew members.

In January 2003, part of the F-15E bomber fighters of the 4th Fighter Wing from the Seymour Johnson air base was deployed to the Al Udeid air base in Qatar. They operated in the southern and western part of Iraq, striking at radars, airfields, repeaters, communication centers and headquarters, thus paralyzing the control of Iraqi troops.

As the scale of hostilities grew, the number of Strike Eagles operating in Iraq increased. In February 2003, bombers of this type were busy destroying Iraqi anti-aircraft systems on the border with Jordan, which subsequently made it possible for coalition aircraft to fly there unhindered. It is believed that F-15Es during the 2003 campaign destroyed about 60% of the targets bombed by US Air Force tactical aircraft. One aircraft was shot down by anti-aircraft fire in the Tikrit area, the crew was killed.

In 2011, as part of Operation Odyssey Dawn, F-15Es were used to enforce the no-fly zone over Libya. At the same time, one aircraft was lost under unclear circumstances, both pilots successfully ejected and were rescued.

In September 2014, F-15Es bombed IS targets in Iraq and Syria (Operation Inherent Resolve), making up to 37% of the sorties carried out by the aviation group Western countries. However, according to observers, the effectiveness of these attacks was low. The main purpose of the air strikes was not to crush the Caliphate, but to push the Islamists out of Iraq into Syria.

In total, over the years of operation during the fighting and in disasters, 15 F-15E fighter-bombers from the US Air Force were lost, a significant part of the lost aircraft crashed during training flights at extremely low altitude.

The Su-34 does not have such a rich combat biography, as it has only recently appeared in Russian combat aviation units. The first Su-34s entered the 929th State Flight Test Center (GLITs) named after V.P. Chkalov, located near the city of Akhtubinsk, in the Astrakhan region and in the 4th Lipetsk Combat Training Center.

Satellite image of Google earth: Su-34 front-line bombers at the airfield in Lipetsk

The first combat regiment was the 47th separate mixed aviation regiment at the Baltimore airbase near Voronezh. Currently, this airfield is undergoing a large-scale reconstruction of the runway and infrastructure. That will allow in the future to increase the number of front-line bombers based here.

On June 4, 2015, when landing at the Buturlinovka airfield in the Voronezh region, after performing a planned training flight, the brake parachute did not open on the Su-34 aircraft. The front-line bomber skidded off the runway and rolled over.

Satellite image of Google earth: Su-34 front-line bombers at Buturlinovka airfield

It was at the Buturlinovka airfield that the Su-34 and Su-24M were temporarily relocated from the Baltimore airbase during the reconstruction of the runway there.

IN Rostov region Su-34 received the 559th BAP, based at the Morozovsk airfield. There are 36 "thirty-fours" here.

The first "baptism of fire" of the Su-34 was the Russian-Georgian armed conflict in August 2008. Then these, not yet officially adopted, front-line bombers covered other Russian combat aircraft with an airborne jamming system. Attacks on Georgian air defense systems with Kh-58 missiles under the cover of Su-34 REP stations were carried out by Su-24M front-line bombers.

Georgian 36D6 radar destroyed by an anti-radar missile

An analysis of the combat activity of the Su-34 in Georgia showed that this front-line bomber needs further improvement in aiming and search equipment. For guaranteed detection of small targets, the radar complex was not enough. This requires perfect thermal imagers and television systems. high resolution. Not so long ago, there were reports in the media about the development of a modernized version - the Su-34M.

In September of this year, 6 Su-34s were involved in the operation of the Russian Aerospace Forces in the Syrian Arab Republic. It is noted that guided aircraft weapons are used from these newest vehicles during airstrikes on ISIS positions and targets.

prospects

In general, comparing the American F-15E Strike Eagle and the Russian Su-34, it can be noted that these machines are at different stages in their lives. The Su-34 is just starting its long-term service, while the F-15E is already preparing for its completion. The resource of many F-15Es is already running out, and they will be decommissioned over the next 5 years.

Compared to the Su-34 bomber, which has solid armor protection for the cockpit and parts of the units and is better adapted for low-altitude operations, the American F-15E has a greater "fighter orientation" - there is practically no armor protection on it.

The F-15E Strike Eagle fighter-bomber is currently the only tactical aircraft in the US Air Force that is capable of participating in long-range raids and performing long flights at low altitude.

It is not known whether the number of Su-34s built will exceed that of the F-15E delivered to the US Air Force, but it is already clear that the T-34 will become the basis of front-line aviation combat vehicles in the future.

In the near future, the Su-34 will have to finally defeat the "children's sores". Aircraft of the first series, as well as pre-production copies, differed significantly from each other, which makes it difficult to operate. They noted the unstable operation of the radar and sighting and navigation system.

In terms of improving the reliability of avionics and improving the operational characteristics of the Su-34, designers and industry are doing serious work. At the moment, all combat front-line bombers have been brought to the level of the 3rd factory series. They are equipped with auxiliary gas turbine units designed to start the main engines without airfield equipment. This allows in the future to increase autonomy and expand the list of home airfields.

There is no doubt that the Su-34, which in the future will become the main Russian front-line bomber, will successfully overcome all “growing pains” and this combat aircraft will have a great future and many years of service.

According to materials:
http://www.uhlib.ru/transport_i_aviacija/aviacija_i_kosmonavtika_1997_02/p6.php
http://www.richard-seaman.com
http://science.howstuffworks.com/f-151.htm