In March 1940, the Sukhoi experimental design bureau was formed in Moscow, which over the past seventy years has created many aircraft, some of which have long become legendary. And today we will tell you about a dozen of the best serial aircraft produced under the Su brand ...
Su-2
It should be noted that the history of the Sukhoi Design Bureau began far from 1940. Back in October 1930, Pavel Osipovich Sukhoi headed a team of designers, which over the next decade created several well-known aircraft, such as the serial I-4 and I-14, as well as the legendary ANT-25, Chkalov's plane, known as RD (Range Record ).
However, the first brainchild of the bureau, named in honor of its creator, was the Su-2 (originally BB-1, "close-range bomber"). 
Su-2 bomber
Sukhoi with the Su-2 aircraft became the winner of the aircraft design competition announced in the USSR in 1936. All three applications submitted for this competition were approximately equal, so the commission allowed the designers (Sukhoi, Polikarpov and Neman) to create pilot copies of their brainchildren. Sukhoi's team coped with the task best and fastest - they presented the aircraft just six months later. 
Su-2 bomber
This success was one of the reasons why the group of designers, which was part of TsAGI, was allocated to a separate bureau, which later became the Sukhoi Design Bureau. Serial production of the Su-2 began in 1940, this bomber became one of the most famous Soviet aircraft during the Great Patriotic War.
Su-7
After the creation of the quite successful Su-2, the Sukhoi Design Bureau developed several prototype aircraft, which were never put into serial production. Discontent with the results of the design bureau was aggravated by the accident of the Su-15, and in 1949 the enterprise was disbanded. But in 1953 it was restored. 
The first successful aircraft of the revived Sukhoi Design Bureau was the Su-7 jet fighter-bomber, which first took to the skies in 1955, and entered serial production in 1958. For many years, it became one of the most famous Russian military aircraft, was adopted, in addition to USSR, nine countries of the world on different continents. 
Fighter-bomber Su-7
In Egypt, there are still monuments to the Su-7 aircraft, which proved itself excellent during the wars with Israel and Libya.
Su-17
Another legendary Soviet fighter-bomber was the Su-17, developed at the Sukhoi Design Bureau in the mid-sixties. This is the first domestic aircraft with a variable geometry wing, which can change the sweep (the angle of deflection of the wing relative to the axis of symmetry of the aircraft) directly during flight, which makes it possible to increase the efficiency of the aircraft. 
Fighter Su-17
The Su-17 was based on the well-proven, but not very effective Su-7 aircraft, which was significantly modified by changing the front fuselage, landing gear and tail, and the wing was developed from scratch. 
Fighter Su-17
Unlike the Su-7, which was practically not used as a fighter, the new aircraft could well conduct a successful air battle with the best and most modern Western counterparts at that time.
As a result, the Su-17 performed well in conflicts in the Middle East, as well as in Afghanistan, where it was used throughout the ten years of the military campaign. He is still in service with eight countries around the world.
Su-24
In 1970, for the first time, the Soviet Su-24 bomber flew into the sky, which was intended to finally replace the outdated Su-7. This is how the all-weather aircraft with variable geometry wing appeared, the workhorse of the Soviet and now the Russian army, which is still in operation (until 2020). 
Su-24 bomber
Appeared in service with our army in 1975, the Su-24 bomber was limitedly used during the war in Afghanistan. Most of the cases of its combat use occurred in local conflicts of the nineties, including in both the Chechen campaigns, Karabakh and Tajikistan. The Su-24 was also actively used during the 2008 war in South Ossetia. 
Su-24 bomber
Su-25 Grach
At first, the Su-25, now known by the nickname Rook, was nicknamed the Little Humpbacked Horse. The reason for this was the rather unusual shape of the fuselage, the protrusion with the cockpit on which somewhat resembles a hump. The pilots who saw this hunchback for the first time were very skeptical about the novelty, but, sitting at the helm and feeling the power of the attack aircraft, they radically changed their opinion about the Su-25. 
Su-25 attack aircraft
The Su-25 is an armored ground attack aircraft designed to provide air support for ground forces at any time of the day and under any weather conditions. About 7 percent of its mass is accounted for by aircraft protection systems in combat conditions. Depending on the mission, the Su-25 can be equipped with 32 different types of weapons, some of which can be used simultaneously. 
Su-25 attack aircraft
First tested in combat in 1980, the Su-25 attack aircraft has since been involved in fifteen different conflicts around the world. It is now in service with seventeen countries. A total of 1320 units were produced, but production is still underway.
Su-27
The highly maneuverable Su-27 fighter has long been recognized as one of the best combat aircraft produced in the Soviet Union. It has excellent flight and combat characteristics and surpasses the closest rival MiG-29 in flight range and possible load. 
Fighter Su-27
The incredibly successful design of the Su-27 made it possible to create on its basis many modifications, some of which became independent models... Despite its admirable fighting qualities, the Su-27 is more of a containment aircraft, and its use in combat is not that frequent. The most famous conflict in which one of the parties used it is the war between Ethiopia and Eritrea in 1999-2000. 
Fighter Su-27
But the Su-27 is regularly used to create new aviation records and demonstration of figures aerobatics... This is the main aircraft of the Russian Knights group.
Su-30
The Su-30 is a heavily modernized version of the legendary Russian Su-27 fighter already mentioned in this review. It is designed to control group combat air actionas well as to cover ground operations. 
Fighter Su-30
This is an aircraft designed to ensure air domination of one of the parties to the conflict. He can also act as a scout. The Su-30 is the world's first serial super-maneuverable aircraft.
Unlike its predecessor, the Su-30 has the ability to refuel in the air. 
Fighter Su-30
Of the more than 450 examples of the Su-30 fighter, only three are in service with the Russian army. This is, first of all, an export product - the aircraft is in service with China, India, Vietnam, Venezuela, Indonesia, Algeria, Uganda and Malaysia.
Su-34
Another modification of the Su-27. The Su-34 fighter-bomber was created in the late eighties - early nineties as an aircraft that could deliver high-precision air strikes, including with the help of nuclear weapons. 
For the first time, the Su-34 took off in 1990, but its serial production began in 2006. And it was officially adopted only in 2013, although several of its copies managed to take part in the 2008 conflict with Georgia. 
Fighter-bomber Su-34
For its unusual shape of the nose, very reminiscent of the beak, the Su-34 fighter-bomber received the nickname "Duckling".
Su-35
Su-35, on this moment, this is the best and most modern combat aircraft of the Russian army, launched into mass production. Another modification of the Soviet aircraft Su-27 is several heads superior to its "progenitor", being a multifunctional super-maneuverable fighter. 
Fighter Su-35
This is the first domestic military aircraft of the 4 ++ generation, which means its complete identity aircraft fifth generation excluding stealth technology. 
Fighter Su-35.
It is expected that in the very near future the Su-35 will replace the Su-27 aircraft as the main transport of the Russian Knights aerobatic team.
He demonstrated for the first time a "cobra" - the most difficult aerobatics figure. It was not the first time that Su's planes had amazed foreigners, with about 50 world records in total. The designer himself, P.O. Sukhoi, could not attend the air show - in 1975 he was gone.
But the OKB created by him does not intend to stop there. There is hardly an educated person in the world who does not know the name Sukhoi, or at least his brainchild - Su planes. This proves once again that Russia will never run out of geniuses.
Stormy youth
Pavel Osipovich was born on July 10 (22), 1895 in the village. Glubokoe, Disnensky district, Vilna province (now Glubokoe, Vitebsk region, Belarus) in the family of a primary school teacher in a rural school. In a large family, in addition to him, five more girls were raised.
The village teacher Osip Andreevich Sukhoi did not suspect that his newborn son Pavel was destined to glorify his surname. The father of the family was glad that now he had an heir and planned how he would give his son an education.
He did everything possible to ensure that his children developed diversifiedly, which is why the family had a huge library, thanks to which Paul and his sisters received their knowledge. They were also fond of reading, music, violin and choral singing.
Thanks to the fact that Osip Andreevich paid great attention to the education and development of his children, his son Pavel in the future will become a world-famous aircraft designer.
After the family moved to Gomel, where Osip Andreevich was offered to head the school, Pavel entered the local male gymnasium (now it is the old building of BelGut), where he studied from 1905-1914. It was here that his excellent abilities in such sciences as mathematics, physics, technology were manifested.
Ah, the desperate pilot Utochkin ...
The biography of the aircraft designer, inventor Pavel Sukhoi is eventful. But a minor episode decided his fate.
While still a schoolboy, Pavel, returning home with the children after school, watched the flight of the famous Sergei Utochkin on an airplane, the children were breathtaking from what they saw.
The impression made by this spectacle served as the basis for a professional choice. After graduating from high school, in 1914, the stubborn student was lucky enough to become a volunteer at the Physics and Mathematics Faculty of Moscow State University and attend lectures on "flight mechanics" by Zhukovsky himself.
Then in 1915 Pavel entered the Moscow Imperial Higher Technical School. At that time, it was only there that it was possible to join aviation.
It turned out to enter on the second attempt, because in 1914 he was refused admission due to the fact that documents were incorrectly submitted to
Admission committee of IVTU (copies were submitted instead of originals).
On the fronts of the First World War
It was not possible to graduate from school - the First World War prevented. Pavel Osipovich was drafted into military service in the Russian army, first he was trained at the school of warrant officers, after which he was sent to the Western Front, where he served in the artillery.
He began his service with the rank of ensign, and finished in March 1918 with the rank of staff captain.
At that time, he was the head of the regiment's machine-gun command and had about 100 subordinates. Military experience helped the future designer learn to lead. The skills came in handy when organizing a design bureau.
Finding yourself
It was inconvenient to be an officer of the tsarist army in revolutionary Russia - they were wary of them. Therefore, in 1918-1920, P.O. Sukhoi held a modest position as a mathematics teacher at school (in Luninets, then in Gomel).
But they are now inclined to exaggerate the degree of distrust of the revolutionary authorities to the officers. Many of them were able to adapt to the new conditions, and the young staff captain was among them.
In 1920, he recovered at a technical school, combining study with work. After completing his studies in 1925, he received the position of a design engineer at AGOS (department of aviation, hydroaviation and experimental construction). This department became the basis of Tupolev Design Bureau. Soon Pavel Osipovich headed a separate group.
Military designer
Among other aircraft designers, Sukhoi is known primarily for military developments. But the specialization is justified - the inventor headed the group in 1930, and at that time the country had reason to fear war.
Under the wing of Tupolev
Before the war, working at the Tupolev Design Bureau, P.O. Sukhoi made a significant contribution to the creation of the I-4 and I-14 aircraft. He also worked on the ANT-25 project, known as RD (Range Record). This record of a flight across the North Pole of the Earth was achieved by the crews led by Chkalov and Gromov.
The designer also worked on the DB-2 bomber, on the modification of which, known under the name "Rodina", Grizodubova and his team set their own record.
In 1939, the group was separated into a separate organization, and since 1940 the official history of the Sukhoi Design Bureau has been counted. But he happened to work once again under the leadership of Tupolev. In the postwar years, the design bureau was disbanded after a number of setbacks, and Pavel Osipovich in 1949-1953 worked as chief designer at the Tupolev Design Bureau.
War years
On the fronts of the Great Patriotic War, one of the first products of the new design bureau distinguished itself - the Su-2 bomber. The project won in a tough competition, where among the opponents were aircraft "Ivanov" honored masters Polikarpov and Neman.
The proposals were equal, and the state commission invited the designers to make prototypes of their aircraft. Sukhoi Design Bureau did it first and won.
Nobody regretted it. Although a number of KB projects (Su-1, Su-4, Su-6) were not very successful, the Su-2 turned out to be an excellent short-range bomber.
Not without curiosities. At the beginning of the war, one Su-2 was shot down ... by A.S. Pokryshkin!
In the confusion of the first months of the war, the pilot confused his bomber with the enemy. Only many years later, Pokryshkin confessed to a mistake after hearing a story about the incident from the lips former pilot Su, then Marshal Pstygo.
Jet Era
Having resumed work in 1953, the design bureau no longer dealt with propeller-driven aircraft.
An era began jet engines, and the designer was interested in both them and the machines capable of properly using them.
P.O. Sukhoi's jet-powered aircraft managed to quickly win the first positions in the world.
Multi-station aircraft
Sukhoi's first mass-produced jet was the Su-7 fighter. Further, the design bureau more often produced aircraft with a combined purpose:
- Su-11 - fighter-interceptor;
- Su-15 - interceptor fighter;
- Su-7B - all-weather fighter-bomber;
- Su-24 - front-line bomber;
Among the first, Sukhoi combat aircraft received variable wing geometry, which significantly increased their flight performance.
Sky Drummers
In many countries, pilots call Su aircraft the best in their class. Therefore, the old models remain in service, and even their production continues.
So, the Su-24 took off for the first time in 1970, and its release is planned until 2020. Su-17 is still in service with 8 states.
They are capable of carrying 32 different types of weapons, some at the same time. They first visited battle in 1980, but Rooks are still produced and in service in 17 countries around the world.
Today is
Today KB is a powerful concern with many branches and subsidiaries. Among them are NKP Sukhoi Sturmoviks and Sukhoi Civil Aircraft JSC.
The latter is now headed by Konstantin Vasilyevich Sidorov.
Among his military developments:
- SU-27 - fighter (Russian Knights are now flying on it);
- (mainly exported);
The last military aircraft of the Sukhoi Design Bureau is Pak Fa (T-50), a fifth generation fighter. And about a year ago, representatives of the concern announced the start of work on the sixth generation project ...
Civil direction
The designer did not participate in the work on civil aircraft. The direction appeared in KB after his death. But there are also peaceful Su-brand aircraft:
- Su-80GP - cargo and passenger;
- Su-38L - agricultural.
The Sukhoi Superjet plane has an ambiguous fate. In 2012, during a demonstration flight (Indonesia), he had an accident that killed 45 people.
But its production continued, the machine is used in many countries. The management of the joint-stock company JSC SCAC does not intend to abandon it. Sukhoi Superjet is distinguished by a special arrangement of seats on the plane.
In memory of the constructor
The homeland appreciated the achievements of the inventor during life and after death. He was awarded three Orders of Lenin, the Order of the October Revolution, the Red Banner of Labor, the Red Star, the Badge of Honor, the Star of the Hero of Socialist Labor (twice). He was also awarded the State and Lenin Prizes.
Nowadays they bear his name:
- streets in Moscow, Gomel, Vitebsk;
- school of the city of Glubokoe (the birthplace of the designer);
- Gomel State Technical University.
And in many countries, Su planes stand on pedestals - monuments to both the designer and those who managed to use his achievements with dignity.
Pavel Osipovich Sukhoi is a whole era in the creation of fighters, fighter-interceptors, bombers, as well as civil aircraft.
But in the memory of people he remained not only as the outstanding founders of the Soviet reactive and supersonic aviation, but also as the noblest man. He was always accurate, polite and disciplined.
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The Su-34 is a Russian-made fighter-bomber designed to attack enemy ground targets with aircraft weapons, in the face of active countermeasures by air defense systems. The aircraft's efficiency is achieved through the use of innovative means for electronic warfare, unique combat qualities, as well as the ability to engage air targets regardless of the time of day and weather conditions. The Russian military calls this fighter a "duckling", and when it comes to its combat characteristics, "a hellish duckling."
In terms of 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, due to its high combat qualities, which allow it to independently conduct a maneuverable air battle with almost any existing military aircraft in the world.
The history of the aircraft
The Su-34 aircraft was created to replace the Su-24 front-line bomber, which performed well in a number of armed conflicts, but is outdated. During the development process, it was taken into account that the likely enemy has a large number of 4th generation vehicles in its arsenal. The fighter was designed on the basis of the experience of the combat operation of all Russian military aircraft existing at that time, as well as foreign experience in the use of aviation forces in local conflicts.
Machine development 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 the basis for the new aircraft. The first prototype of the T-10V took off 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, within the framework 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 aircraft 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 airfield. Chkalov. Piloting the new car was entrusted to Yevgeny Rudakas and Rustem Asadullin. State tests began 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 air force RF 32 aircraft, and in 2012 - an 8-year contract for the supply of another 92 aircraft. In March 2014, the Su-34 was put into service. Russian Federation... By 2020, the new fighter should completely replace its predecessor, the Su-24.
Fighter-bomber design
The Su-34 was designed to carry out bomb 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 design, which makes it possible to increase its maneuverability in comparison with the models made according to the conventional design. 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 named "duckling". It is equipped with a two-seater cockpit, in which measures have been taken to increase the comfort level 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 assumed, its design allows the replacement of engines with new ones, the AL-41F model. These engines provide up to 14,500 kgf of thrust and allow flying in the "super cruise" 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 radar Sh-141, which can 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. The radar can simultaneously track up to 10 targets and fire up to 4. It is also capable of assisting the guidance of air-to-air missiles equipped with their own radars by means of target illumination. For melee missiles equipped with an infrared homing head, the radar provides the initial coordinates of the target. The system also provides for the ability to fly at extremely low altitude and automatic rounding of the terrain.
Rearview radar
Between the motors, in a special container, there is a rearview radar. It monitors the attacks of the fighter 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 valuable time maneuvering.
Since the rear-view radar with the ability to launch missiles is a unique technology that has not yet been used even on advanced Western fighters, and even promising NATO bombers, many experts are debating about 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 reconnaissance equipment
To use the Su-34 aircraft as a reconnaissance aircraft, it is possible to install suspended equipment on it, namely the Sych (Sych universal reconnaissance container). Depending on the type of reconnaissance, it can be performed in three versions: radar, radio-technical and optical.
Reflective area
During the development of the aircraft, special attention was paid to 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 X-ray waves. In addition, during the design of the aerodynamic design of the hull, aerodynamic strokes were excluded, and the geometry of the airframe 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 signature of the aircraft is at the level of cruise missiles, despite the fact that the dimensions of the Su-34 are naturally several times larger.
Electronic warfare and air defense suppression
For the possibility of countering the enemy radar in case of its detection, the aircraft has equipment for electronic warfare. This complex allows you to approximately thirty times reduce the likelihood of hitting a fighter using radar-guided systems. In terms of electronic warfare (electronic warfare), the fighter is equipped on a par with specialized machines. According to Western experts, the power of its electronic warfare system is similar in level to the systems of the 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. An excellent proof of the practical effectiveness of the Su-34 electronic warfare is the fact that during one of the conflicts in Georgia it was used as an electronic warfare fighter.
Aircraft guidance
For the effective use of weapons, the Su-34 is equipped with a sighting system that allows you to search for and defeat enemy targets using a radar. The complex includes the Platon system, designed to direct missiles of the Kh-29 type, as well as the KAB-500-L and KAB-1500-L guided bombs. The Kh-29T missiles and KAB-500Kr bombs do not need further guidance. Having received the initial coordinates of the target, they aim at it by means of a TV camera installed in the homing head.
The sighting system, used to defeat conventional weapons (unguided bombs and missiles), provides high accuracy rates, which have been noted more than once by experts, including NATO representatives, based on the experience of using the Su-34 in Syria. An important fact is that unguided rockets are much cheaper to bombard. The stocks of such weapons remaining in Russia from the USSR allow significant savings. This is extremely important, given that the cost of the Su-34 is over a billion rubles.
The characteristics of the fighter allow the use of missiles and bombs of the NATO nomenclature using the Damocles module, manufactured at the Ural Optical and Mechanical Plant under license from the Thales Group. The development of this module was a necessary measure in the execution of the contract for the supply of Su-30 fighters to Malaysia.
To increase the level of protection of the crew and the survivability of the aircraft as a whole, the outer body of the cabin 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 shells up to 12.7 mm in caliber. The total weight of the armor is 1480 kilograms, which is one and a half times more than that of the aforementioned predecessor. In addition to its thickness, the Su-34's protection is remarkable in 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 ejection seats, which allow ejection at any height, including from the ground. The pilots get to 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 is capable of covering a distance of up to 7 thousand kilometers), the fighter is equipped with systems that increase comfort.
Among those it is worth noting:
- Dry closet.
- Folding berth.
- Hermetically sealed body and oxygen system, allowing to climb to an altitude of 10 thousand km without the use of oxygen masks.
- Heating and air conditioning of the cabin.
- Kitchen compartment with microwave and thermoses.
- Free space that allows you to straighten to your full height.
- Electromassage built into the chair.
- Projection dashboard on the glass, which allows you to monitor the performance of the machine from 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 the autonomous launch of the main engine without the use of ground launch vehicles. This feature enables the aircraft to take off from any airfields 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 the main systems. Fuel tanks are protected from fire and explosion by filling with polyurethane foam. The essence of the technology lies in 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, we will consider the main tactical specifications Su-34:
- Dimensions: length - 23.3 m, height - 6.09 m, wingspan - 14.7 m.
- The chassis base is 6.63 m.
- Weight: normal - 39 tons, maximum - 45 tons.
- Fuel stock - 12.1 tons.
- Maximum engine thrust: without afterburner -8250 kgf, with afterburner - 13500 kgf.
- Maximum overload - 7 G.
- Maximum speed: at altitude - 2200 km / h, near the ground - 1400 km / h.
- Service ceiling - 17 km.
Combat use
In August 2008, the Russian Su-34 in the amount of 2 units underwent 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 hostilities in Syria. Near settlements 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 Region in a rather unusual way - for throwing bombs over ice jams.
A special "branch" of military aviation is its bombers. The purpose of these aircraft is clear from their name: they are used to hit enemy ground and water targets using a wide range of bombs and missiles. To date, long-range strategic bomber aviation is represented by the Tu-95MS and Tu-160, the long-range Tu-22M3, as well as front-line bombers. The latter are the Su-34 and Su-24 aircraft. They perform tactical functions.
How justified is their existence?
It is important to understand that in modern combat aviation it can be very difficult to distinguish an attack aircraft from a bomber or even a multipurpose fighter, since they are very similar to each other both in appearance and in the range of tasks that they can perform. But this impression is erroneous: in particular, the same Su-34 aircraft, although they are very similar to fighters, are extremely vulnerable in air combat.
They are shaped only to ensure high aerodynamic efficiency and fuel economy, which, given their long flight range and high bomb load, is an extremely important condition. At the same time, some modern fighters (for example, the domestic T-50 or the "American" F-35) may well be used as bombers. But specialized bombers are still better suited for this role, since they have a large range and can carry a large number of powerful bombs and / or missiles.
Current state of affairs
Note that the NATO bloc has no specialized bombers, which are Su-34 aircraft, in principle, since they were replaced by universal aircraft. For example, the last specialized Lockheed F-117 was cut into metal back in 2008. The role of tactical bombers within the radius of the front line is now assigned to the F-15E and F-16, the fleet uses the F / A-18, aka Hornet, for these tasks.
Against this background, our country stands apart, having two specialized bombers at once: Su-24 and Su-34. Today we will talk about the most modern modification. Moreover, the model of the Su-34 aircraft is unique, as it combines the features of an attack aircraft and a bomber. Unlike the Americans, who wanted to make a "wunderwaffe" in the person of the F-22, our engineers took the path of the greatest expediency, as a result of which the new machine effectively fulfills all its tasks.
Front-line bomber Su-34
Today, great hopes are pinned on this aircraft, since it must provide the main power of the country's strike aviation. The onboard equipment of the vehicle is such that it can use all the existing domestic nomenclature of air-to-surface weapons. Initially, the Su-34 aircraft were created to replace the old Su-24M. At present, the production of this equipment is one of the priority areas of the entire defense industry; considerable funds are allocated for this purpose. And it is very difficult to argue with such a statement.
If at the time of bringing the Georgians to peace, our army had at its disposal only two such aircraft, then, as of mid-2015, there were 69 units in the troops. In May, 14 such vehicles were seen. There is information that our country should have at least 150-200 of these aircraft.
Development start
Alas, even the legendary Su-34 is not a purely Russian invention. Its design was started on June 19, 1986. The prototype first flew on April 13, 1990. It should be noted that Soviet engineers did not begin to develop a new machine from a "blank slate", taking advantage of the Su-27 developments. This aircraft was created specifically to replace the Su-24, which had already become significantly outdated.
"Novichok" was intended to work at any time of the day or night, in any weather conditions, for ground and flood (according to the situation) targets. The peculiarity of the new machine was that the pilots could much more confidently resist the attack of enemy aircraft. Of course, the Su-34 military aircraft is not up to the attack plane, but it is not a defenseless "duck" either.
Long road to debut
Rollan Martirosov was appointed chief designer. As we said, the prototype flew back in 1990, but the further path of the machine to adoption was unforgivably delayed.
So, the main stages of the State sea trials ended only at the end of 2010. It was only in 2014 that the Su-34 military aircraft was officially put into service. Interestingly, the bomber went into production ... since 2006! The production was carried out by the Sukhoi holding represented by the Novosibirsk Aviation Plant named after the famous pilot Chkalov. Within the framework of two contracts signed in 2008 and 2012, 124 aircraft are expected to be delivered. Since last year, the Ministry of Defense has reported that production has already reached the level of 14-20 aircraft per year. So, already in 2014, 18 vehicles were delivered, when the plan provided for 16 units.
Differences from the progenitor
As we said, the Su-27 became the predecessor of the bomber. By the way, in terms of the number of borrowings that were taken from him, this aircraft is the undisputed leader. So, even in the design of the legendary Su-47 "Berkut", developments on the Su-27 were used. However, we are distracted.
So, the cantilever parts of the wings were practically unchanged from the "donor", and the tail unit was also borrowed. However, the shape of the fuselage was significantly changed in the name of improving aerodynamic qualities. But the relationship is still visible with the naked eye.
The nose of the new car was significantly lengthened, since a special radar antenna did not fit in there. The nose cone has become more flattened and rounded. This part also houses a separate radar antenna. The Russian Su-34 does not have ventral ridges.
Cockpit and working conditions for pilots
The cabin is double, fully sealed. For the first time in aircraft of this class (all over the world, by the way) it is made in the form of a completely titanium capsule with a wall thickness of 17 mm. Its glazing, following the example of the experience of the Mi-24 helicopter, is also armored. In many ways, this approach was due to the proliferation of MANPADS, the missiles of which are designed specifically to defeat pilots. The air in the cockpit is heated or conditioned according to the situation. For the first time a "shoulder-to-shoulder" crew landing scheme was applied. This simplifies the interaction between pilots, reduces fatigue when performing complex maneuvers.
The pilot is on the left, the navigator is on the right. Unlike other tactical bombers, the Su-34 aircraft (the photo of which is in the article) has such a spacious cabin that you can easily get up and even walk in it. If the flight is long, the pilots can take turns sleeping in the aisle. There is also a microwave oven for heating rations and a bathroom. The pilots enter the cockpit from the stern side, using a folding ladder.
Combat capabilities of the machine
The aircraft is considered to be in class 4+. The on-board computer has a number of completely new programs that can significantly increase the combat survivability of the vehicle, ensuring its high maneuverability. This will enable the navigator and the pilot himself to pay more attention to the bombing itself.
The aircraft has excellent aerodynamic characteristics, has spacious fuel tanks, and can be refueled in the air. The presence of highly efficient engines with high efficiency, as well as the possibility of installing additional tanks, allow for extremely long flights. Experience shows that the Su-34 can stay in the air for at least 10 hours.
At the same time, the load on the pilots does not exceed the standard, since they can rest during the flight. An important difference between this model and its predecessor is the complete openness of radio electronic equipment, as well as its modular design. Thanks to this, any component of on-board electronics can be replaced with a new, more efficient analogue. In general, this feature is characteristic of Sukhoi products, thanks to which the vehicles of this brand have taken a dominant position in the RF Air Force.
Impact capabilities and self-defense
The aircraft is distinguished by high-resolution sighting devices, a data exchange system with ground troops, aircraft and surface ships. The use of this equipment makes it possible to better interact with various types of troops and to increase the efficiency of combat use. As we said, the machine is capable of using all modern "smart" bombs and missiles, including those using multi-channel guidance systems.
Radar countermeasures and active jamming systems are another highlight that distinguishes the Su-34 (we are analyzing its characteristics). This equipment dramatically increases the chances of a combat vehicle for survival in mobile combat conditions. Taking into account the armored cockpit, the life of the pilots is protected at the highest level. Today, specialists continue to work on improving the combat characteristics of this remarkable aircraft, focusing on expanding the variety of weapons that pilots can use to defeat the enemy.
Practical use
This bomber has already been used twice in actual combat. The first episode dates back to 2008. These two aircraft were successfully used by our aviation, suppressing the identified points of the Georgian missile defense system. To prevent enemy calculations from targeting strike aircraft, the legendary Su-34 was also used for active jamming. In addition, targeted strikes with special missiles were carried out on Georgian Buk and S-125. Experts admit that the main victory in that war was the complete destruction of the enemy 36D6-M radar station, which was located near Gori. This is also the merit of the machine we are describing.
Basic performance characteristics
Finally, we will describe the main technical characteristics of the aircraft we have considered:
- Full wingspan, meters - 14.7.
- The total wing area, m² - 62.
- The total length of the glider, meters - 22.
- Maximum fuselage height, meters - 5.93.
- Maximum takeoff weight, kg - 44 360.
- Engines - 2 TRDDF AL-31F.
- The maximum speed of the Su-34 aircraft, km / h - 1900 km / h (M \u003d 1.6M).
- Maximum flight range, km - 4500.
- High-rise ceiling, km - 17.
- The radius of combat use, km - 1100.
- The crew consists of two pilots.
What is the Su-34 aircraft (you see the photo of it above) armed with? The 30 mm GSh-301 cannon can be used for close combat. Its standard ammunition is 180 rounds. The maximum ammunition weight can be eight tons at once. Rockets and bombs can be mounted on 12 pylons. For countermeasures from the enemy, the Khibiny electronic warfare system is used.
This is what it is, the Su-34 aircraft, the characteristics of which are discussed by us in this article.
