Aircraft SU-34: description and technical characteristics. Military aviation

This bomber is more like an interceptor. He has an unofficial nickname "Duckling", obtained because of the specific shape of the nose. Until recently, little has been written about him, but now the news channels often show materials that in the Syrian sky the Su-34 and Su-24M planes strike high-precision strikes on communications lines, headquarters and arsenals of the terrorist state of IGIL. It can be argued that these front bombers became famous. One of them will be the story.

History and prototype

Requirements for the interceptor and front bomber are different and even mutually exclusive. However, Soviet aircraft builders already have experience in converting fighter aircraft into assault aircraft. The famous "Pawn" - Pe-2 - before the war was conceived as a twin-engine high-altitude heavy fighter. Defense needs "redesigned" it into a dive bomber, and although the redesign of the structure seemed problematic, it turned out very well. Something similar happened to the interceptor Su-27. In 1986, the Sukhoi Design Bureau began working on its impact modification, which received the T-10V index, with the aim of ultimately realizing the concept of a universal "stormtrooper" capable of bearing a serious combat load for working on the battlefield and possessing sufficient maneuverability to repel Enemy aviation. During the design process, it became clear to designers that the conventional "spark" cabin is not suitable for this purpose. By 1990, the main thing was done: a new bow appeared with the famous "duck beak". By the mid-nineties the Su-34 got its official name (he managed to visit both T-10V-5 and Su-32FN). But he officially entered the armament only in 2014.

Visible differences

Externally , the Su-34 combat aircraft is similar to its "ancestor" Su-27, at least from afar. At a detailed review even to the layman some obvious distinctions are evident. The nose part is expanded, the pilots sit side by side, and not one after another, the chassis stands are much more powerful than the steel, and, of course, the nose. At first glance, in general, that's all. In technical terms, this means that the design of the Su-27 interceptor glider, which is characterized as a normal two-kilo aerodynamic scheme with all-round elevator controls, lay at the basis of the design. Not immediately noticeable to the uninitiated eye is the elongation (in comparison with the prototype) of the root influxes of the wing, the uncontrollability of the air intakes, the absence of the subfusel keels and the increase in the number of nodes of the external suspension. Despite its similarity with the interceptor, the Su-34 is a tactical bomber, and therefore must carry more and more than its prototype.

Cabin

Now in the design changes you can understand more. First of all, we will talk about the most obvious details of appearance. The cockpit of the Su-34 is two-seater, it is accessed by an easy ladder, which is supported by the upper edge of the hatch, located behind the doors of the bow pillar. This greatly simplifies the process of occupying the pilot and navigator their seats. The crew during the flight is provided with all necessary conditions for comfortable habitation, including a food warming device, a thermos and a sanitation device. If one of the pilots finds that he has stayed too long, he can stand up and stretch out - the space is enough for that.

But the Su-34 is not only convenient and ergonomic. Sukhoi Design Bureau has taken care of the crew's protection: 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 TRDD AL-31F type with a two-contour rate of 0.571 develop thrust of 12.5 tons each, but in the afterburner they can add 300 kg more.

In general, the power plant is the same as the Su-27. Perhaps, this is not such a big indicator, especially considering how much the Su-34 aircraft weighs. VCS RF, nevertheless, consider that the capacity is quite enough to compete in the sky with the American F-15, created to solve approximately the same combat tasks. There are also options, for example, AL-35F engines, developing afterburner up to 14 tons of thrust.

Onboard electronics

The Su-34 aircraft is equipped with a completely new avionics system, which takes into account the requirements of increased reliability (due to duplication) and allows to reach the target automatically, using the means of satellite guidance. Detection range (even for small objects) reached 250 km. This concerns the search for submarines (even if they have only raised the periscopes), reconnaissance, finding mined areas of the water area, etc. As for the tasks of direct operational targeting over the battlefield, this is indicated by an indication on the windshield and helmet control of the fire by a "glance" , Which allows you to significantly reduce the decision time. Such a wide range would not be possible without the use of a computer-based high-speed hardware base.

Fuel system

To increase the range of the aircraft requires more fuel. Four tanks (three inside the fuselage and one in the wing), as well as refueling systems in the air create conditions for striking at distant targets, which brings the Su-34's capabilities closer to strategic designs. The drawbars are two, they are designed to work with air tankers of the Il-76 type and other refuellers, which are in service with the Russian Air Force. Also, an increase in the range of the flight is facilitated by the possibility of suspension of external tanks dropped after take-off.

Means of rescue of the crew

The pilots take their places through the lower ladder passing through the niche of the front post, and on it leave the plane if the flight was completed without emergency. Bailouts are carried out in a traditional way, upwards, and speed and height do not matter. With the help of the K-36DM catapult armchairs, the emergency exit of the aircraft is safe enough, each crew member has a portable emergency stock equipped with a radio beacon, life raft, first-aid kit, products and other means of survival after landing. In flight, normal vital activity is provided by anti-overload jumpsuits, protective helmets and oxygen supply.

Chassis

The increase in take-off weight dictated special requirements for the new chassis - it became more powerful, the carriage type. Possible damage, in the event of a full-scale military conflict, the runways of the main airfields also became a condition for increased cross-country ability to use the Su-34 from less prepared areas.

The new main struts became more spacious in comparison with 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 subfuselage external suspension assemblies and eight underwing systems. In addition to them, the bomber has a built-in 30mm gun of the GSh-301 type. Since it is impossible to take into account all possible variants of development of the operational situation, the means for conducting air combat are also provided. To destroy enemy aircraft, up to twelve air-to-air missiles of the long-range type P-27, or 8 medium (R-77) or small (R-73) can be on the suspension. But not for air battles, in essence, the legendary Su-34 aircraft were created. Universal weapons with high accuracy affects ground targets. These are winged Kh-59M (up to 3 pcs.), Conventional and anti-ship missiles, corrected and unguided bombs (land mines from 100 to 500 kg), and NURSs in cassettes.

Characteristics

The overall dimensions are approximately the same as those of the Su-27 (14.7 m - wing span, 22 m - length and about 6 m - height). The normal take-off mass is 39 tons, which is more than that of a heavy interceptor, but less than most tactical bombers. However, it can exceed 44 tons with the maximum load. The plane speeds up to 900 km / h at an altitude of 11 thousand and 1,400 km / h at the surface. The battle radius ranges from 600 to 1130 km, depending on the amount of fuel and weapons, the range of distances is up to 4,500 km. Ceiling (practical) - 17 thousand. The value of the maximum operational overload corresponds to 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 picture of the merits and demerits that combat aircraft have with the Su-34. The technical characteristics speak for themselves of themselves, but, since this bomber was not supplied for export, it can only be judged on the basis of the responses of Russian pilots and the results of its operation in real conditions. During the South Ossetian operation, the Su-34 was not used to directly fire attacks, but contributed to the suppression of Georgian air defense activities, creating radio electronic disturbances that disoriented them. For this, for the first time in practice, compact means of electronic warfare "Khibiny" installed on the external suspension assemblies were used.

From the very beginning of the military operation over the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic, the Russian air group had six Su-34 bombers, which this time are used for their intended purpose, namely for striking with precision 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, apparently, will increase the pace. This assumption is based on the high efficiency demonstrated by the Su-34. At present, their number in Middle Eastern theater is increased to a dozen.

Real state and plans

To date, the number of Su-34 aircraft in service with the VCS is at least 83 units. Of these, serial samples - 75, and another 8 are designed for debugging and testing. In particular, four bombers are in the flight test center. Chkalov in the Astrakhan region (Akhtubinsk). In the existing 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 Ministry of Defense in 2008, the delivery of 32 units was planned for a total amount of over 33 billion rubles, which leads to the conclusion about the cost of the Su-34 (slightly more than one billion each). In 2008, the order was increased by another 92 bombers. The production base was the Novosibirsk Aviation Plant (NAPO). At the present time, a streaming of machines is organized, which considerably reduces the cost price.

In the coming years, the still well-built, but obsolete Su-24 aircraft regiments will completely replace the Su-34. The technical characteristics of the new model correspond to the standards of the "fourth with two pluses" generation, which will provide him with a long service in the Russian Air Force.