As you know, the main objective of combat aircraft is the destruction of the enemy’s infrastructure, manpower, fortifications, equipment and other important goals. These operations are carried out by bombers, which in turn are divided into tactical and strategic. The first group of aircraft strikes at the front of the enemy and its immediate rear. However, in our time, there is practically no border between a front-line bomber, an attack aircraft and a fighter, since multi-purpose aircraft are already a reality, not a fantasy. These aircraft have the ability to carry out both bombardment and fights in the sky. The newest Russian front-line bomber is the well-known SU-34, the characteristics of which will be considered in the article.
Historical reference
The Soviet Union of the 1980s era could boast of such machines as the SU-24, MiG-27 and SU-17. These military units were developed and created back in the 1970s, but after ten years began to become obsolete. And therefore, the Soviet leaders decided to create a new front-line bomber - SU-27.
The machine received several innovations that were not at all like the military, but these innovations were still put into practice. In 1990, the design of the vessel was completed and even a prototype was built, but after the collapse of the USSR, work on this project was curtailed for obvious reasons.
In 1992, the future SU-34 front-line bomber, the characteristics of which at that time were absolutely advanced, was shown to the media. The production model was lifted into the air in 1994 in Novosibirsk. Tests at the state level began in 2006, and five years later were completed. In 2014, the SU-34 (specifications will be given below) was officially accepted into the combat park of the Russian Air Force.
basic information
The described aircraft was originally created to carry out bombing attacks in the operational and tactical rear of the enemy, and regardless of weather conditions and time of day. At the same time, work at low altitude is not an obstacle for the vessel. In addition, the machine is able to fight in the air with other aircraft and destroy them.
What else can you tell about the SU-34? Its characteristics say that it is designed on the basis of a normal aerodynamic design. In the presence of an additional front horizontal plumage, two turbojet engines with special afterburners, as well as a vertical twin-tail plumage. The tail plumage is all-turning. The front landing gear is equipped with two wheels, and the main struts - four.
Cabin and device
The entrance to it is located in the nose strut of the chassis in a niche. The cabin itself is covered with titanium armor, the thickness of which is 17 mm. The fuel tank is also protected. The lantern is used only for technical work. The total weight of the cab is 1.5 tons. Inside it there is a relaxation area, first aid kit, drinking water, dry closet and even a microwave. For emergency evacuation of the crew, a pair of ejection seats is provided. Each team member is provided with a special rescue kit, which always has a life raft, a radio beacon, a supply of food, medicine and equipment.
The front of the aircraft has a radar station closed by a fairing. In addition, in front of the machine there is also a bar for refueling a bomber in the air.
In the tail of the SU-34, the characteristics of which can be safely called acceptable, there are two compartments with motors. Each power engine is equipped with a fire extinguishing system. The aircraft has four fuel tanks with a total capacity of over 12,000 liters.
Armament
SU-34, the technical characteristics of which provide it with a high degree of reliability, is equipped with a 30-mm gun GS-301, and also has 12 points for suspension of various types of weapons, among which are:
- Guided missiles.
- The bombs.
- Medium and short range missiles.
- Beacons.
Indicators
So, what are the parameters of the SU-34? Specifications he has the following:
- Length - 23.3 meters.
- Wing span - 14.7 meters.
- The wing area is 62 meters.
- The maximum permissible take-off weight is 45,000 kg.
- The mass of the combat load is 8 tons.
- The maximum possible flight speed is 1900 km / h.
- Type of motors - AL-31F.
- Thrust at the moment of afterburner - 2 × 12 800 kgf.
- The maximum speed near the ground is 1400 km / h.
- The maximum flight altitude is 15,000 meters.
- The flight range, subject to full refueling, is 4,000 kilometers.
Practical operation
SU-34, the combat use of which took place during military events in the North Caucasus and Georgia, has not entirely positive assessments of its capabilities in real combat. So, radar alone was clearly not enough to quickly and accurately detect enemy targets, and therefore the aircraft must be equipped with special thermal imagers and television systems. Unfortunately, the aircraft was one of the best on the planet in the era of the 1980s, but these days its technical capabilities are already somewhat limited, and many systems do require significant modernization.