Sukhoi Su-32, Su-34

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	Sukhoi Su-32, Su-34 ASCC codename: Fullback Medium Tactical/ Strategic Bomber

DESCRIPTION: Based on the impressive Su-27 fighter, the Su-34 is a new tactical low-level bomber designed to replace the Su-24. The first Su-34 prototype was a modified Su-30 tandem two-seat trainer, itself a variant of the Su-27, reconfigured with two side-by-side seats in a widened fuselage. The widened nose also contains a terrain-following radar and terrain-avoidance system needed for low-level flight. Furthermore, the revised nose shape is a flat, sharp, chined configuration similar to that on the SR-71 Blackbird to reduce the aircraft's radar cross-section. Like the Su-27, the Su-34 also features a rearward facing radar between the engines to track and fire upon targets behind the aircraft. Improvements over the Su-27 include more sophisticated avionics, addition of canards like those of the Su-33, better maneuverability, greater range, and improved low-level flight performance. The Su-34, originally known as the Su-27IB, is expected to replace the Su-24 bomber by about 2010. A further variant of the Su-34 is the Su-32FN optimized for maritime attack and reconnaissance duties. Some reports also suggest a navalized version of the Su-34 (possibly confused with the Su-33UB) equipped with more powerful engines and thrust vectoring to reduce the takeoff distance, but this variant is doubtful now that the Russian Navy no longer operates any vessels capable of carrying such an aircraft. Last modified 04 March 2006
HISTORY:
First Flight	(modified Su-30) 13 April 1990 (Su-34) 18 December 1993
Service Entry	unknown
CREW:	two: pilot, weapon systems officer
ESTIMATED COST:	unknown
AIRFOIL SECTIONS:
Wing Root	unknown
Wing Tip	unknown
DIMENSIONS:
Length	82.67 ft (25.22 m)
Wingspan	48.18 ft (14.70 m)
Height	20.33 ft (6.20 m)
Wing Area	666 ft2 (62.0 m2)
Canard Area	unknown
WEIGHTS:
Empty	30,865 lb (14,000 kg)
Normal Takeoff	85,980 lb (39,000 kg)
Max Takeoff	99,210 lb (45,000 kg)
Fuel Capacity	26,675 lb (12,100 kg)
Max Payload	17,640 lb (8,000 kg)
PROPULSION:
Powerplant	two Saturn/ Lyul'ka AL-31MF afterburning turbojets
Thrust	58,460 lb (260 kN)
PERFORMANCE:
Max Level Speed	at altitude: 1,180 mph (1,900 km/h) at 32,780 ft (10,000 m), Mach 1.8 at sea level: unknown cruise speed: 810 mph (1,300 km/h) at 32,780 ft (10,000 m)
Initial Climb Rate	unknown
Service Ceiling	45,890 ft (14,000 m)
Range	typical: 2,160 nm (4,000 km) ferry: 3,775 nm (7,000 km)
g-Limits	+7
ARMAMENT:
Gun	one 30-mm GSh-301 cannon (149 rds)
Stations	ten external hardpoints and two wingtip rails
Air-to-Air Missile	up to 12 R-27/AA-10 Alamo, R-73/AA-11 Archer, or R-77/AA-12
Air-to-Surface Missile	AS-12, AS-13, Kh-29/AS-14 Kedge, Kh-35, Kh-41, Kh-59
Bomb	KAB-500, KAB-1500 laser-guided bombs
Other	rocket pods, ECM pods
KNOWN VARIANTS:
Su-27IB	Original designation of the Su-34
Su-34	Production model based on Su-27 airframe but with widened forward fuselage for side-by-side seating and advanced navigation and attack avionics
Su-32FN	Maritime attack and reconnaissance model built for export
KNOWN COMBAT RECORD:	none
KNOWN OPERATORS:	Russian Air Force
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