Su-34 Tactical Bomber: News #2

Here is a picture of the Su-27IB prototype when it was first observed in public.



Here is a close up of the picture from TASS showing the same aircraft approaching the Tibilisi - you can faintly see the number 42.

Is someone able to help with clarifying what a Su-34NVO is compared to Su-34M please? I assume a Su-34NVO is an upgraded aircraft where as a Su-34M will be newly built? Help appreciated. Thanks

Thanks, I thought this was the cases. We currently have zero -34M built?

franco wrote:

gmsmith1985 wrote:Is someone able to help with clarifying what a Su-34NVO is compared to Su-34M please? I assume a Su-34NVO is an upgraded aircraft where as a Su-34M will be newly built? Help appreciated. Thanks

NVO is an upgrade on the present Su-34 however it doesn't appear to be equal to the -34M. I am not sure what the differences will be.

Shows the very good visibility from the cockpit.

Su-34 is changing profession: bomber crews will be taught to shoot down planes

The pilot training program will include high-altitude air combat in the stratosphere

The standard training program for pilots of the IV++ Su-34 generation multipurpose aircraft will be expanded. Their crews will be taught to conduct air combat at high altitudes and at supersonic speeds, sources in the defense department told Izvestia. At the same time, the aircraft will use not only modern, but also promising medium and long-range aviation missiles. Its fighter capabilities will allow it to intercept enemy bombers and guided weapon carriers. The combat vehicle will be able to defend itself on its own, especially at long distances, when it is impossible to cover it with fighters, experts say. During the operation in Syria, these “dryers” have already had to fly with weapons intended for air combat.

Expanding competencie

Previously, the Su-34 was used exclusively as a strike aircraft to destroy ground and sea targets, and cover other bombers with electronic warfare. The military reported only rare exercises with its crews using close air combat missiles and installing air-to-air weapons in Syria for self-defense.

On the eve of the press service of the Ministry of Defense announced that in the Central Military District with Su-34 aircraft, for the first time, training was conducted on action in the lower layers of the stratosphere. The pilots gained a height of 15 km and worked out the detection and destruction of an air enemy at supersonic speed. At the same time, they acted independently, without "tips" from ground-based air defense systems.

Unlike the Su-24M, the Ministry of Defense classifies the Su-34 as a fighter-bomber. It was repeatedly exhibited with the same air-to-air missiles as fighters. As part of its ammunition, short-range infrared R-73s and more powerful R-27s with semi-active radar guidance are declared. Information was also made public about the possibility of using the latest R-77s on them, capable of hitting air targets at a distance of up to 110 km.

Now the Aerospace Forces has about 130 Su-34 units. This year, the construction of the first batch of 24 modernized aircraft of this type ordered by the Ministry of Defense began. Among its differences, the developers announced more powerful and diverse weapons.

As Izvestia previously reported, a record contract for several thousand R-77-1 medium-range air-to-air missiles worth 66 billion rubles is currently being executed. Its implementation will allow the defense department to eliminate the shortage of such ammunition and equip squadrons armed not only with the latest Su-57 and Su-35 fighters, but also with other models of aircraft.

“Despite the fact that the Su-34 is a front-line bomber with an extended range, it has the capabilities of a fighter,” Lieutenant General Valery Gorbenko, former commander of the 4th Air Force and Air Defense Army, told Izvestia. - There is nothing particularly difficult in this. Starting with Su-17 aircraft, we trained in shooting at air targets. Fighter-bombers will not carry out air defense functions, but they will be able to protect themselves when performing combat missions, the expert added.

“This is a powerful high-altitude supersonic aircraft that, at an altitude of up to 15 km, will be able to use air-to-air missiles when meeting with enemy fighters,” he added. - The Su-34 is quite maneuverable, it can perform all aerobatics and even conduct dogfights. It is, of course, heavier than specialized fighters, and this specificity must be taken into account when training crews. If the car will go with a full bomb load, it will be difficult for him.

In theory, bombers should be escorted by fighters. In practice, forces are not always enough to cover them. The Su-34 can perform a combat mission autonomously, independently defending itself from enemy aircraft. And if necessary, he can also use weapons against bombers, concluded Valery Gorbenko.

Fighter Forces

The Su-34 began to be designed back in the late 80s of the last century, based on the latest Su-27 fighter at that time. From him, the new bomber inherited powerful AL-31F turbojet engines with afterburners. They allow the aircraft to overcome the sound barrier, and at high altitudes they accelerate it to a speed of 1,900 km / h. The machine received an advanced multifunctional radar Sh-141, capable of detecting not only ground, but also air targets. In the sky, an enemy bomber or transport aircraft, a fighter-bomber is able to "see" at a distance of up to 250 km.

In addition to a wide range of conventional and guided munitions, the Su-34 is equipped with an aircraft cannon and can carry up to six short- or medium-range air-to-air missiles. A unique feature that distinguishes the car from any other domestic fighters and front-line bombers has become a completely redesigned cockpit compared to the Su-27. In it, the pilot and navigator sit shoulder to shoulder. The increased dimensions gave the aircraft a characteristic appearance, for which the Su-34 received the unofficial nickname "duckling". They also improved the comfort of the crew on long-hour flights and made it possible to place a bathroom and a kitchenette on board.

To attack the enemy from extremely low altitudes, the car received a serious reservation for the cockpit. The total weight of the aircraft reaches one and a half tons. This is enough to protect the crew and vital units from small arms fire from the ground.

Since the beginning of the Russian operation in Syria, Su-34s have been constantly used there. They became the main "specialists" in the use of high-precision weapons. During the most intense hostilities against ISIS (the terrorist group is banned on the territory of Russia), the number of such aircraft at the Khmeimim airbase reached 14 units at the same time.
After a Turkish F-16 fighter shot down a Russian Su-24M over Syria on November 24, 2015, short and medium-range air-to-air missiles began to be suspended under the Su-34 bombers for self-defense. But soon this practice was stopped, and then they were again used only as shock machines.

Anton Lavrov

https://vpk.name/news/454091_su-34_menyaet_professiyu_ekipazhi_bombardirovshikov_nauchat_sbivat_samolety.html?new#new

RTN and other trolls will probably see this as a clear indication that the Russian VKS has suffered so many losses that they now have to turn to the Su-34 as a fighter interceptor in desperation

I bought a model kit for one of these. One of the available paint schemes is the one on the bottom right. Strange eh. It has been discussed on Reddit et al and the only conclusion was that the model brand made it up or got mixed up with another program.

It says "su 32 FN Indian Defense Research Wing 2015"

Backman wrote:I bought a model kit for one of these. One of the available paint schemes is the one on the bottom right. Strange eh. It has been discussed on Reddit et al and the only conclusion was that the model brand made it up or got mixed up with another program.

It says "su 32 FN Indian Defense Research Wing 2015"

The Su-32FN (Fighter Navy) was an export version of the Su-34 that was shown at the 1995 Le Bourget airshow. It was promoted as a maritime strike variant.

It was apparently fitted with the Sea Dragon avionics suite with MAD gear in the tailboom and was fitted with sonobuoys and rocket torpedoes for ASW. For anti-ship missions it was able to carry up to two massive Kh-41 Moskit missiles in combination with two to four Yakhont's which was carried under the wings.

One additional role not really mentioned is a Maritime Patrol Aircraft Hunter.

franco wrote:The Russian Aerospace Forces received the first Su-34M bombers in 2022

The Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) received the first upgraded Su-34M multi-purpose bombers in 2022. About it on Monday, July 4, reportedMinistry of Defense of the Russian Federation.

According to the Ministry, the upgraded Su-34ms entered the bomber air unit of the Army of the Air Force (VVS) and Air Defense (PVO) of the Eastern Military District, which is stationed in the Khabarovsk Territory, at the end of last month. It is noted that currently the aircraft are put into operation and are used by pilots for their intended purpose for performing training flights.

"The Su-34M is a Russian multi-purpose supersonic fighter-bomber designed to deliver air strikes against enemy ground targets in operational and tactical depth in conditions of strong counteraction. Unlike its predecessor, the aircraft can partially solve the tasks of attack aircraft, " the ministry explained.

It is specified that the new Su-34s have an updated electronic system, as well as the ability to install high-precision weapons and a set of several suspended containers with reconnaissance equipment.

Earlier, on July 6, the Ministry of Defense showed how the crews of Su-34 fighter-bombers used X-29 missiles to strike at the equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). Combat sorties of aircraft are carried out from operational airfields, occur day and night in all weather conditions. Before departure, the specialists of the engineering staff check the operation of all systems, carry out refueling of aircraft and suspension of aircraft weapons.

https://translated.turbopages.org/proxy_u/ru-en.en.f8cc0e15-62c35015-c5d99425-74722d776562/https/iz.ru/1359409/2022-07-04/v-vks-rossii-postupili-pervye-v-2022-godu-bombardirovshchiki-su-34m

Do we know how many? 1 ?

Does anyone knows what exactly is upgraded on the plane? I am not sure that what they mentioned in the original news really justifies to add letter M to it. For example, upgrades from Su-30SM to Su-30SM2 are very extensive and include new engine, radar and avionics. Basically, it will become 2 seat Su-35.

For people who talk shit about the Su-34, based on ukrop propaganda, without ever having spent 1min research:
https://thaimilitaryandasianregion.wordpress.com/2015/11/13/su-34-fullback/

Yeah I dont get it. It is a flanker with specialized radar, so equipment and jamming system. Now the most common jamming system and EO need the most work, actually. And with the new pods and totally automatic jamming systems coming into play we are seeing the changes needed. Also the linenets radar has been boosted in SAR resolution and detection range. This is with the same array, just with updated software and computing power.

Funny thing is when the Su-34 (Su27IB) was first spotted in the west they quickly came to the conclusion that the shape of the nose could not possibly allow for a radar. Little did they know!

The PESA radar fitted is actually quite powerful with a range of 250 km against large surface targets and 120 km against a fighter sized target. Not exactly the less than 100 kms as claimed by our resident Rafale lover.

Mir wrote:Funny thing is when the Su-34 (Su27IB) was first spotted in the west they quickly came to the conclusion that the shape of the nose could not possibly allow for a radar. Little did they know!

The PESA radar fitted is actually quite powerful with a range of 250 km against large surface targets and 120 km against a fighter sized target. Not exactly the less than 100 kms as claimed by our resident Rafale lover.  

... while the shape was from the very beginning dedicated to the lower frontal reflection of a plane.