The Su-24M2 aircraft is a new upgraded version, the prototype of which was the Su-24, a front-line bomber. It has only 2 crew members, large compartments in the fuselage for armaments and large fuel tanks. Also, there is a built-in refueling and pumping system, that is, such an aircraft can both receive and transmit additional fuel in the air.
A front-line bomber is the ability to deliver bombing strikes on and behind the front line, behind enemy lines. The Su-24M2 is a relatively new model. The Russian Air Force received the first modernized aircraft in 2007. Today, the fleet of vehicles is more than 200 units, including both prototypes and advanced versions.
History
Speaking of the Su-24M2, one cannot but mention the Su-24, on the basis of which it was assembled. "T-6" ("Su-24") in February 1976 launched into serial production. The aircraft was produced at an aircraft factory in Novosibirsk until 1993. This year, the release of all modifications was completed, the main feature of which is the variable sweep wing, which allows you to fly at both subsonic and supersonic speeds. It is noteworthy that the Tu-16 heavy missile carrier was also originally designed at the Sukhoi Design Bureau based on the T-4 model.
At the same time, the wings (along the front consoles) can take 4 positions: take-off and landing - 16 degrees; subsonic flights are performed at 36 degrees; supersonic - 69 degrees. There is also a position of 45 degrees, designed for better maneuvering in battle.
Design
Like the prototype, in the Su-24M2 the cabin is designed for two people. On the left is the FAC, on the right is the navigator, dual control. There is nothing remarkable in the lantern of the car; it, like other planes of a similar type, smoothly passes into the streamlined elements of the fuselage, covering the entire control wiring.
Two engines are located on the sides of the body, pressed to it, thereby freeing the wings from extra weight. The layout of the chassis is designed for three points of support, in flight they can be removed. The front strut folds backwards, while the rear stance is reversed. Two side supports are located almost under the fuselage, since, in addition to all control systems, there are the main fuel tanks, radio electronics units and other equipment. Wings, except for the main purpose, are used to mount pylons holding weapons. There are also brake flaps, which are also the front flaps of the niches in which the lateral landing gears are hidden in flight. When landing, they deviate up to 62 degrees perpendicular to the direction of flight. Engines have a thrust of 7800 kg, and afterburners give out up to 11500 each.
A distinctive feature of the Su-24M2 is the presence of large monolithic milled panels. Their use significantly reduced the cost of production. At the same time, this reduces the number of connecting seams in the sealed parts of the cabin and fuel tanks, which, in turn, improves flight safety. Most of the design is based on alloys of titanium, magnesium, aluminum. Engine parts operating at high temperatures are made of stainless steel.
Other modifications
It should be noted that the “M2” is by no means the only modification of the prototype. This is how the Su-24MR appeared - an aircraft that had a complex of reconnaissance equipment on board. For example, the capabilities of television and infrared reconnaissance, panoramic and promising aerial cameras (both located in the bow under the cockpit). Equipment for laser search is mounted under the fuselage of the vessel, a radiation system is installed on the pylon under the right wing, and electronic reconnaissance under the left. All collected data can be quickly delivered to the ground via broadband or narrowband communication channels. No weapons systems.
Another version of the Su-24MP is an aircraft for creating interference in radio bands. The refueling system allows you to stay in the air for a long time.
The MK model (Su-24MK) began to be delivered to countries friendly to the Soviet Union. “K” in the name meant commercial. The Air Force has no differences from its own vehicles, with the exception of state recognition systems.
It is also worth noting the model "Su-24M." Despite the similar name with other versions, this was planned as a separate one. They improved the navigation system and installed a multi-directional heat direction finder. Also, the position of the antennas of the warning station has changed: they have gone into the influx, smoothly passing into the center section.
Feathering Characteristics
Among the modifications can be called "Su-24M2." We will consider its characteristics in detail, since almost all the other described models have the same capabilities. And "M2" can also be called a prototype of any of them.
Due to the large capacities developed by the engines of a military aircraft, Su received a pair of air intakes located in front of the engines, which received several changes during their lifetime. As a result, we came to the simplest solution - air flow adjustment is turned on only at the time of takeoff and landing. The control is made by the movements of the flaps.
The wing has three sections of flaps, four sections of slats. The flap area is approximately 10 square meters. meters, in later versions of the aircraft two and three flaps were combined, as a result of which these versions have 2 sections. The angle of their extension reaches 35 degrees. Slats have an area of 3 square meters. meter and extension angle of 27 degrees. In later versions, they decreased by one section. Since the aircraft has a variable wing geometry, the pylons are equipped with a position synchronization system relative to the longitudinal axis of the machine.
Vertical plumage with an area of 9 meters, keel sweep angle - 55 degrees. In the upper part of the tail (under the cap) is a radio antenna. During the life of the bomber, brake parachutes moved from the fuselage under the steering wheel.
Flight performance
The maximum speed of the aircraft when flying at an altitude of 17,000 km / h, while flying at sea level can reach 14,000 km / h. The range is 390 km, the ceiling is 11,000 km. The flight range without refueling is 4000 km. The height of the aircraft is 7 meters, length - 25 meters, wingspan - 17 meters with a maximum angle.
Armament
The basis of the armament of the Su-24M2 is the Puma sighting and navigation system. The radar, on the basis of which it works, can emit even subtle objects on water or land. According to her testimony, it is possible to hit targets with all freely falling bombs on board. In addition, there is a third-generation Filin-N passive radar system covering 6 ranges of enemy detection stations. Theoretically, according to her data, it was possible to hit such objects, but subsequently they refused it.
Modernization
The current cost of military aircraft has grown significantly, as a result of which it is necessary to revise the possibilities of improving old models. The Su-24M2-Hephaestus, which underwent modernization at the plant of the same name, was very successful. And most military pilots agree that they will go to a good fight only on airplanes that have visited this enterprise.
The possibilities of bombing with conventional bombs of an aircraft that visited Hephaestus became comparable with the results of using the latest KABs (aerial bombs).
Conclusion
If the very first front-line bomber “SU-24” survived to this day, it would have turned 40 years old. But the development of electronics, new tracking systems, warning, navigation would not leave him a great chance to fight in the modern world. And he would quietly leave for the dustbin of history. But its modernization of the Su-24M2 provided an opportunity for the Russian Air Force to use it today. And although there are new developments now, this aircraft is still flying into the air on demand.