"next target...Entropy": Su-34 (Su-27IB) Fullback

16/8/06

Su-34 (Su-27IB) Fullback

The Su-32/34 will be one of the three high performance aircraft that are planned to form the core of the future Russian Air Force, along with the Yak-130 advanced trainer and a new multi-functional fighter (PAK-FA). The Strike Flanker was in competition with the Su-30 to replace the Su-24 and was successful due to the potential of growth of the avionics, since it had twice the space in relation to the other airplanes of the Flanker family.
Su-34 (Su-27IB - Istrebitel-Bombardirovshchik) is a two seat ("arm-to-arm") strike variant that first flew in 1990. It features frontal wings and a large flattened nose with sharp edges (like the SR-71) reduce radar cross-section. This new ship-borne fighter is fitted with two AL-31FP engines with vectored thrust. Using them allows either the take-off distance or maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of the aircraft to be increased by 10-15 per cent. In the nose is a new multi-mode phased-array radar with terrain-following and terrain-avoidance for low-level attack. The aircraft has a distinctive large "sting" in the rear which contains the NO-14 radiolocation system, a radioelectronic countermeasures system, and a fuel tank. The NIIP NO-12 rearward radar that monitors enemy fighter activity behind the aircraft, and as needed, direct R-73 short-range and R-77 medium-range AAMs at the targets. The Su-32 and Su-34 have been developed and are in serial production in Novosibirsk for the Russian Ministry of Defence. The Su-34 fighter-bomber is intended to replace Russian Su-17, Su-24, and the MiG-27. A reconnaissance variant will replace the Su-24MR in the tactical reconnaissance and EW role.
The first aircraft was a Su-27UB, which featured a frontal section with new radar, bigger and widened nose. The new variant was called Su-27IB initially (Istrebityel-bombardirovshchik - fighter aircraft). The new section of the nose had a side by side cockpit. The leading edges were extended until the root of the cabin and had canards. The first prototype was not equipped with fire control systems and was used for aerodynamic tests and arrangement of cockpit. It had an improvement in the maneuverability and characteristics of landing and take-off. The air inlet lost variable geometry, since high speed at great altitude was not as important, as the bomber works most of the time at cruise speed or at low altitude.
The Su-27IB (T-10v for the Sukhoi) flew for the first time on 13 April 1990, piloted by Anatoly Ivanov and as the prototype, already called Su-34, it flew on 18 December of 1993. At this time, the development was transferred to the manufacturer in Novosibirsk in Siberia for the base of tests of the Russian Air Force in Zhukovsky. The development was decelerated in 1997 for the Sukhoi to concentrate itself in the development of the Indian Su-30 and the Su-27 acquired by China. The Su-34 was successfully tested in the Chechênia according to Russian authorities, and also it participated of exercises of combat in the military field of Ashuluk in 1999.
It will be the new Russian theater strike aircraft, substituting initially for the Su-24 Fencer (the Russian equivalent of the F-111). The Russian Air Force has a total of 445 Fencer in Russia, being 365 in the version, B, C, and D and 80 Su-24MR and MP for reconnaisance and Electronic War. Later it will substitute the Su-17 and the Mig-27 in the tactical attack aviation. Also it is planned to be the new Russian naval bomber with coastal base, substituting the naval versions of the 95 Fencer Su-24MF (70 Su-24/Su-24M and 25 Su-24MR/MP) and of the naval Su-17 Fitters and later Tu-22 in attack antiship and Tu-142 in anti-submarine war.
The two members of the crew sit down side by side in a large cabin, with the pilot-commander to the left and navigator/operator of weapons to the right in a jettisonable Zvezda K-36dm seat [that has an inlaid system of massage]. The advantage of the side by side cockpit is not to need to duplicate instruments and controls of flight, which improves efficiency and comfort. As long missions require comfort, it has pressurization that it allows to operate up to 10,000 meters without oxygen masks, which are available for emergencies and combat situations. The members of the crew can leave the seats and be in vertical position and relax. The space between the seats allows that they can lie down in the corridor, if necessary.
A long-range surveillance radar, passive detection systems, system of communication for tactical and strategical voice and data in a single platform with long-range capacity with flight refuelling, transform it into a way of monitoring and recognition in real time and platform of command and control, forming a complete battle management system.