Russia: Su-34 (Fullback) - Two-Seat Fighter-Bomber/Strike Aircraft

Russia: Su-34 (Fullback) - Two-Seat Fighter-Bomber/Strike Aircraft

(NSI News Source Info) February 2, 2009: The Su-34 (NATO reporting name of "Fullback") is a dedicated two-seat fighter-bomber/strike fighter version of the successful Su-27 "Flanker" fighter series. The aircraft is a product of the Sukhoi Design Bureau that has already spawned into a handful of capable roles including the Su-33 navy multi-role fighter and the Su-35 long-range, air superiority/strike fighter.

The Su-34 features some components of previous Flanker aircraft but incorporates a slew of new systems that make the system essentially an independent aircraft design consistent with its intended strike role.The Su-34 began life under the Sukhoi T-10V project designation and evolved into the Su-27IB, making its maiden flight on April 13th, 1990. This project sought to fit the air superiority Su-27 Flanker into more of a dedicated fighter-bomber role.

The Sukhoi Su-34 (export designation Su-32, NATO reporting name Fullback) is an advanced Russian 2-seat fighter-bomber and strike aircraft. It is intended to eventually replace the Sukhoi Su-24.

The aircraft differed from its predecessor in that it featured a larger cabin to accommodate a two-seat cockpit with each pilot seated side-by-side. Essentially, the entire forward fuselage is all-new when compared to the base Su-27 and its counterpart, the Su-30. Conversely, the aircraft maintains the engine nacelles (with fixed intakes), wings and tail section of the Su-27 and features forward-fitted canards for added stability. The canards are fitted between the distance of the cockpit and main wing system. The extended fuselage aft (otherwise referred to as a "stinger") houses a rearward-looking radar system to contend with any enemy aircraft in pursuit.

The large two-seat, pressurized cockpit adds many long-range bonuses for the crew made up of the pilot and weapons operator. It is reportedly spacious enough for the crew to stand upright and an in-flight lavatory makes for sustainable long flights. Unlike previous Soviet/Russian aircraft designs, ergonomics have been given a priority in the Su-34 and thus the onboard spaciousness is a byproduct of this initiative. The cockpit is made largely of glass with a split forward piece and a curved single main piece. The cockpit design and sharp down-angled nose no doubt adds to taxing and landing visibility substantially. Independent ejection seats are afforded to both crew members. The undercarriage is a conventional tricycle arrangement with each main gear utilizing two wheels.

Power is derived from twin Lyulka brand AL-35F turbofans with afterburning capability producing 30,845lbf of thrust each unit. Fuel is supplied via large onboard areas and, coupled with external fuel tanks and in-flight refueling, the Fullback can obtain impressive ranges. A top Mach speed of 1.8 is reported along with a range of 2,490 miles (ferry range). Service ceiling will top out at roughly 49,000 feet. Onboard systems propel the Su-34 into the modern age and feature real-time digital battlefield management systems, advanced targeting and tracking operations and an improved navigational suite. Cockpit system automation in the cockpit extends the usefulness of the aircraft to the point of allowing the pilots to concentrate on other facets of the mission at hand.

For standard armament, the Su-34 will feature a 1 x 30mm GSh-30-1 series cannon (as found on the Su-27 and Su-30 Flankers) sporting 150 rounds of ammunition - largely for close-range self-defense. The bread and butter of the system lies in its ability to mount up to 17,600lbs of external ordnance on 10 to 12 underside hardpoints slung about the wings and fuselage. Munition types run the gamut of air-to-air and air-to-surface weaponry including guided air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles (including long-range cruise missiles), guided bombs and conventional bombs and rocket pods of varying types. Wingtip launch rails are reserved for the AA-11 "Archer" series of air-to-air missiles, presumably for self-defense - though the Su-27 air superiority roots of the Su-34 may prove it a capable fighter none-the-less.

Along with its inherent in-flight refueling capabilities, the Su-34 can also carry external fuel tanks for exponentially increased operational ranges.

The Su-27IB was unveiled several times over the decade under different guises and designations, no doubt slowly evolving as the available project funds allowed. As the money came and went, so too did the Su-34 progression and regression. Eventually, the system was officially announced with the Su-34 designation by Russian authorities and its uncertain future was now set in motion at a cost of approximately $36 million USD (1997) to produce.

The Su-34 "Fullback" is intended to replace the 500 or so Cold War-era Sukhoi Su-24 "Fencer" aircraft still in service with Russian forces, though modernization programs have been underway to extend the operational life of the Fencers until the Su-34 is fully ready. This most likely means that it will be of some duration before the Su-34 sees full operational numbers. Some 10 pre-production examples have already been delivered with an expected 200 example total by the end of this first production run. All in all, the Su-34 "Fullback" should be an impressive addition to the Russian aerial arsenal.