Aviapedia

Su-34 ‘Fullback’ to replace Su-24 and Tu-22M3

Two new-generation frontline bombers Su-34 will enter Russian AirForce regular service this year. It was told by vice-prime-minister of Defence Sergey Ivanov after reviewing new aircraft on the Novosibirsk aircraft building company named after Valery Chkalov. In future new aircrafts will replace the park of operational Su-24 frontline bombers and Tu-22M3 strategic missile carriers.
- Today we have about 300 tails of Su-24, - said Sergey Ivanov, - but we don’t need to replace all of them. Combat performance of Su-34 is so greatly exceeds its precessor’s ones that we will need much less aircrafts to cover our needs.

Su-34 is unique aircraft. It’s a hybrid of fighter and bomber. It can easely perform as aerobatic elements, as high-accuracy destroying of pinpoint targets. This plane can carry all the types of modern bomb and missiles. It has the same flying range as strategic bombers Tu-22M3. It can handle any missions in any weather conditions and time of day - destroy ground, naval and even sub-surface targets.

Military leaders like the cockpit of Su-34 - it’s much bigger then in Tu-160 strategic bomber, which exceeds Su-34 by its size greatly. Cockpit has biotoilet and microwave. During the flight, which can lasts for 10 hours, pilots may even stand or rest between the pilots seats.

According to Ministry of Defenсe’s plans in 2007 will be purchased 6 more Su-34 aircrafts, in 2008 - 10 more. Based on this amount will be formed first wing. Afterwards every year will be bought at least 10 planes, say commander-in-chief of Russian Air Force army general Vladimir Mikhailov. From the words of Sukhoi’s CEO Mikhail Pogosyan serial production of Su-34 will not only open new combat capabilities for the Russian Air Forces, but will allow to start export of this aircraft. Reminding, “Sukhoi” company holds 60% of overall Russian military export profit.

Su-34 ‘Fullback’:
Take-off weight - 45 tons
Payload weight - 8 tons
Maximum speed - 1900 kmph
Flight range (without extra fuel tank) - 4000 km
Flight range (with extra fuel tank) - 7000 km
Crew - 2
Armament - all types of modern high-accuracy missile and bomb weapons