This bomber is more like an interceptor. He has an unofficial nickname "Duckling", obtained due to the specific shape of the bow. 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-guided attacks on the communications lines, headquarters and arsenals of the terrorist state ISIS. It can be argued that these front-line bombers became famous. About one of them the story will go.
History and prototype
The requirements for the interceptor and front-line bomber are different and even somewhat mutually exclusive. However, Soviet aircraft manufacturers already have experience in converting 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 the defense “transformed” him into a dive bomber, and although the alteration of the structure seemed problematic, it turned out very well. Something similar happened with the Su-27 interceptor. In 1986, Sukhoi Design Bureau began working on its strike modification, which received the T-10B index, with the goal of ultimately realizing 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 “spark” cabin was not suitable for this purpose. By 1990, the main thing was done: a new nose appeared with the famous “duck beak”. By the mid-nineties, the Su-34 aircraft gained its official name (he managed to visit both the T-10V-5 and Su-32FN). But officially he entered service only in 2014.
Visible differences
Outwardly , the Su-34 combat aircraft is similar to its Su-27 “ancestor,” at least from afar. Upon closer examination, even the layman is struck by some obvious differences. The nose is expanded, the pilots are sitting next to each other, and not one after the other, the landing gear and, of course, the nose have become much more powerful. At first glance, in general, that's all. In technical language, this means that the design was based on the Su-27 interceptor glider, characterized as a normal two-keel aerodynamic design with all-turning elevators. Not immediately visible to the uninitiated eye is the elongation (compared with the prototype) of the root inflows of the wing, the unregulated air intakes, the absence of dorsal 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 must carry more and further than its prototype.
Cabin
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 by a light ladder abutting the upper edge in the hatch located behind the wings of the nose strut. This greatly simplifies the process of taking the pilot and navigator of their seats. The crew during the flight is provided with all the necessary conditions for comfortable living, including a food heating device, a thermos and a cesspool device. If one of the pilots considers himself to be too long, he can stand up and stretch his arms - there is enough space for this.
But the Su-34 is not only convenient and ergonomic. Sukhoi Design Bureau took care of protecting 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 lantern is also reliably armored.
Engines
Two engines of the type AL-31F TRDD with a bypass ratio of 0.571 develop a thrust of 12.5 tons each, but in the 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 indicator, especially when you consider how much the Su-34 weighs. The Russian aerospace forces, however, believe that the power is enough to compete in the sky with the American F-15, designed to solve about the same combat missions. Options are also possible, for example, AL-35F engines, which develop up to 14 tons of thrust on afterburner.
On-board electronics
The Su-34 aircraft is equipped with a completely new avionics, taking into account the requirements of increased reliability (due to duplication) and allowing to reach the target automatically, using satellite-guided means. The detection range (even for small objects) reached 250 km. This applies to the search for submarines (even if they just raised the 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 time of decision making. Such a wide range would not have been possible without the use of a computer high-speed hardware base.
Fuel system
To increase the radius of the aircraft requires more fuel. Four tanks (three inside the fuselage and one in the wing), as well as air refueling systems create conditions for striking at remote targets, which brings Su-34 capabilities closer to strategic models. There are two drawers, they are designed to work with air tankers of the Il-76 type and other tankers that are in service with the Russian Air Force. The ability to suspend external tanks discharged after take-off also contributes to an increase in flight range.
Crew rescue equipment
Pilots take their places through the lower gangway, passing through the niche of the front pillar, and exit the plane along it if the flight ended without emergency. Ejection is carried out in the traditional way, up, and the speed and height do not matter. Using the K-36DM ejection seats, emergency escape from the aircraft is safe enough, each crew member has a portable emergency reserve equipped with a radio beacon, liferaft, first aid kit, food and other means of survival after landing. In flight, normal life is ensured by anti-overload jumpsuits, protective helmets and an oxygen supply.
Chassis
The increase in take-off weight dictated special requirements for the new chassis - it became more powerful, truck type. Possible damage, in the event of a full-scale military conflict, of the runways of the main airfields also became a condition for increased cross-country ability to use the Su-34 aircraft from less prepared sites.
The new main racks have become more voluminous compared to the Su-27, which required additional space in the fuselage. That is why the mechanization of air intakes is simplified.
Armament
To accommodate a variety of weapons systems, there are three ventral external suspension units and eight underwing. In addition to them, the bomber has a built-in cannon of caliber 30 mm 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 defeat enemy aircraft, up to twelve air-to-air missiles of the R-27 type of long range, or 8 medium (R-77) or small (R-73) can be on suspensions. But not for air battles, the legendary Su-34 aircraft were mainly created. Universal weapon with high accuracy hits ground targets. These are the Kh-59M cruise missiles (up to 3 pieces), conventional and anti-ship missiles, adjustable and unguided bombs (landmines from 100 to 500 kg), and also NURSs in cartridges.
Characteristics
Overall dimensions are approximately the same as those of the Su-27 (14.7 m - wingspan, 22 m - length and about 6 m - height). The normal take-off weight is 39 tons, which is more than that of a heavy interceptor, but less than most tactical bombers. However, it can exceed 44 tons at maximum load. The aircraft has a speed of up to 900 km / h at an altitude of 11 thousand and 1400 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 the episodes of direct participation in specific military conflicts can give a true idea of ​​the advantages and disadvantages that a combat aircraft with a Su-34 has. The technical characteristics themselves say a lot, but since this bomber was not exported, it can only be judged by the reviews of Russian pilots and the results of its action in real life. During the South Ossetian operation, the Su-34s were not used for direct fire strikes, but they contributed to the suppression of the activity of Georgian air defense systems, creating electronic interference that disoriented them. For this, for the first time in practice, compact tools of the Khibiny electronic warfare mounted on external suspension units 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 delivering strikes using ultra-precise weapons. In the area of ​​Rakka and Madan Jadida, they destroyed command posts, communication centers, arsenals, training camps and other infrastructure facilities of the army of a terrorist state. The use of these aircraft continues, and is likely to increase momentum. This assumption is based on the high performance demonstrated by the Su-34. Currently, their number in the Middle East theater is increased to a dozen.
Real state and plans
To date, the number of Su-34 aircraft in service with the VKS is at least 83 units. Of these, 75 are serial samples, and another 8 are designed for fine-tuning and testing. In particular, four bombers are in the flight test center. Chkalov in the Astrakhan region (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, it was planned to supply 32 units totaling over 33 billion rubles, from which we can conclude how much the Su-34 aircraft costs (a little more than a billion each). In 2008, the order was increased by another 92 bombers. The production base was the Novosibirsk Aircraft Plant (NAPO). At present, in-line production of machines has been organized, which significantly reduces the cost of production.
In the coming years, the still solid, but morally obsolete Su-24s in aviation regiments will completely replace the Su-34 aircraft. The technical characteristics of the new model correspond to the standards of the “fourth with two pluses” of the generation, which will ensure its long service in the Russian Air Force.