Russia Receiving SU-32/34 Long-Range Strike Fighters
Dec 14, 2011 12:09 EST
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Mass production approved; 6 more delivering. (Dec 12/11)
Russia’s SU-27 Flanker design has become one of its great export successes. It is also a design success. Its basic airframe applied lessons from all of America’s “teen series fighters,” producing a 4+ generation aircraft that remains the yardstick by which others still measure themselves. What’s even more impressive is that the design was very flexible, allowing further refinements and modifications that range from the SU-30 and SU-35 upgrades, to versions that add canard foreplanes (SU-30MKI/M, SU-37), and even carrier-launched capability (SU-33).
Then there’s the SU-32/34 “Fullback.” It was envisaged as a Flanker family successor to the F-111 analogue SU-24 “Fencer,” which was very highly regarded in Chechnya as a battlefield support aircraft. Its closest western comparison is the F-15E Strike Eagle, but the Russian design has evolved since its initial drafts in 1986, most visibly so in the present side-by-side cockpit configuration that includes features like an aisle to rest in, and even a toilet of sorts. More information is included below…
The SU-32MF/-34 “Fullback” fighter-bomber
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2010 deliveries and fielding under a 5-year production contract began the jet’s operational history, and ended a development journey that began with the aircraft’s maiden flight in 1990, as the T10V/SU-27IB.
In December 2006, Sukhoi announced a target of 18 SU-34s produced by 2010, and in March 2006 defense minister Sergei Ivanov placed the longer-term schedule at 58 aircraft purchased by 2015. Production has taken a bit longer than that, but Russia remains serious about the platform. Eventual demand levels of up to 200 aircraft have even been floated, in order to replace Russia’s 300 existing SU-24s. More recent reports have scaled that back, to 120 planes. The determining factor is likely to be the SU-34’s prioritization amidst Russia’s rearmament program, which is being fueled by its hydrocarbon exports and distribution hammerlocks, amidst a global scenario of rising demand and rising prices.
RIA Novosti put the plane’s mission simply: “The Su-34 is meant to deliver a sufficiently large ordnance load to a predetermined area, hit the target accurately and take evasive action against pursuing enemy planes.” Other reports have gone further, stating that the plane is also meant to be able to handle enemy fighters in combat is required. Given its base platform characteristics, it would likely match up well against many of America’s “teen series” aircraft.
The SU-34 is also referred to as the “SU-32” by Sukhoi, though other sources indicate that this may refer to a dedicated naval strike variant. The plane’s key characteristics reportedly include:
- 45.1 tonne maximum takeoff weight.
- 8 tonne ordnance load. Air Force Technology adds that this is distributed on 10 hardpoints, which can accommodate precision-guided weapons as well as R-73/AA-11 Archer and R-77/AA-12 ‘AMRAAMSKI’ missiles. The aircraft is also armed with a 30mm GSh-301 gun and 180 rounds.
- AL-31FM1 turbofan engines built by the Moscow-based Salyut Company generate a thrust of up to 13.5 metric tons (over 29,000 pounds) and have a 1,000-hour service life in between repairs. Subsequent reports indicate that more powerful AL-41 engines may be fitted in future.
- Maximum speed Mach 1.8 at altitude.
- 3,000 km range with standard drop tanks, extensible to “over 4,000 km” with the help of additional drop tanks. This makes deployment to locations like Tajikistan much easier, because intermediate airfields in Russia can easily be closed by bad weather. The SU-34 can also refuel in mid-air. (Note, however, that typical “ground hugging” attack flight profiles will shorten their range considerably – Air Force Technology lists it as around 600 km on internal fuel, or 1,150 km with external fuel tanks.)
- Can fly in TERCOM (Terrain Contour Matching) mode for low-level flight, and relies on software to execute a number of other difficult maneuvers. The front horizontal empennage behind the cockpit is designed to help it handle the air pockets found in high speed flight at low altitudes.
- A 17mm armored cockpit like the SU-25 Frogfoot ground-attack jet.
- 2 parallel K-36DM ejector seats, with a small aisle in between. The ejector seats can be activated at any speed and altitude, even when the plane is on the ground.
Other reports add additional details, and can be found in the “Additional Readings” section below. One particular item of note is the Leninets B004 phased array multimode X-band radar, which interleaves terrain-following radar and other modes. The US B-1B’s stealth bomber’s AN/APQ-164 phased array radar uses a similar approach. Performance is claimed to be of 200-250 km against large surface targets, with ground mapping capability to 75-150 km, and GMTI moving target tracking to 30 km. Detection performance against fighter sized aerial targets is claimed to be 90 km.
A jamming variant of the SU-32/34 has reportedly been discussed in the Indian and Russian trade press, with an L175V / KS418 high power jamming pod that is supposedly under development.
Contracts & Key Events
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Dec 12/11: Sukhoi announces that the Russian SU-34 fleet continues to grow. They’re behind the original production plans, but:
”...four serial [production] Su-34 frontline bombers went up in the sky from the runway airport of the Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Association (NAPO) and off to the place of their deployment at the air base in Voronezh. Two more aircraft will arrive there in the next few days. The aircraft delivery is carried out in the framework of the five-year state contract signed in 2008 to supply 32 Su-34 frontline bombers to the Russian Defense Ministry.”
Sept 19/11: Russian media report that Russian Commander of the Air Forces Colonel General Aleksandr Zelin has given then go-ahead for SU-34 mass production, following successful tests. Russia Today:
“Earlier, General Zelin said the Air Forces planned to buy a total of 120 Su-34s, which will be formed into five squadrons with 24 aircraft deployed in each one. The aircraft are to be produced by the Novosibirsk branch of the Sukhoi Corporation.”
Dec 28/10: The Russian Air Force receives 4 new Su-34 fighter-bombers at the VVS’s Lipetsk Combat Training Center. Sukhoi.
July 20/10: A Sukhoi release confirms that Su-34s used in the East-2010 military exercises used aerial refueling on their non-stop flight from the European part of Russia to the Far East, but makes it clear that this was more than just a ferry flight. The fighter-bombers carried out attacks as part of their routine. Sukhoi Director General Mikhail Pogosyan added that ”...it is planned to increase the operational capability of the aircraft by adding new aerial munitions.”
June 23/10: RIA Novosti reports that a wing of SU-34s successfully accomplished a non-stop 6,000 km ferry flight from Lipetsk south of Moscow, to the Khabarovsk region in the Russian Far East. Even with a full load of wing tanks on a one-way trip, that’s a huge step up from the turbojet-powered SU-24M Fencer/ “Chemodahn*”, whose ferry range with wing tanks is listed as 3,055 Km.
The SU-34’s initial reports suggested a 4,000 km range with full drop tanks, which would match the F-15E Strike Eagle’s published ferry range. A 6,000 km ferry range is far enough beyond that goal, and beyond similar aircraft, to make one wonder if aerial refueling was involved. That would still make it a non-stop trip, of course, and hence a “true” (but incomplete) report.
March 16/10: In “The future of the Russian Air Force: 10 years on”, RIA Novosti military commentator Ilya Kramnik discusses planned buys and pending recapitalization of the Russian Air Force over the next decade:
“According to various media reports, the Ministry wants to buy at least 1,500 aircraft, including 350 new warplanes, by 2020. The fleet would include 70% new equipment at that point, said Air Force Commander-in-Chief Colonel General Alexander Zelin…. The Defense Ministry has now signed contracts for the purchase of 32 Su-34 Fullback advanced fighter-bombers to be delivered by 2013, 48 Su-35 Flanker-E fighters by 2015, 12 Su-27SM Flanker-B Mod. 1 fighters by 2011, 4 Su-30M2 Flanker-C planes by 2011 and 12 Su-25UBM Frogfoot combat trainers. This year, the Defense Ministry intends to sign a contract for the delivery of 26 MiG-29K Fulcrum-D fighters by 2015. Additional contracts for the delivery of at least 80 Su-34s and 24-48 Su-35s are expected to be signed. In all, the Russian Air Force is to receive 240-260 new aircraft of these types. It is hard to say much about the specifications of another 100-110 aircraft, due to be manufactured primarily after 2015. They will probably include 25-30 MiG-35 fighters, another 12-16 Su-30 combat trainers for Su-35 squadrons and 40-60 Sukhoi T-50 PAK FA (Advanced Frontline Aviation Aircraft System) fifth-generation fighters….”
Dec 21/09: The V.P.Chkalov Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Association (NAPO) officially delivers 2 Su-34s produced under the framework of the new manufacturing contract to the Russian Air Force. The planes have already arrived to the Russian AF Lipetsk Center for Combat Use and Flight Training. In accordance with the 5-year state contract with the Ministry of Defense signed in 2008, NAPO will produce 32 Su-34 fighter-bombers till 2013. Sukhoi release.
Dec 10/09: NAPO hands over the final batch of modernized Su-24M2 “Fencer” aircraft to the Russian Air Force, fulfilling its obligations under 3-year state contract, and shifting focus toward SU-34 production. Sukhoi release.
June 5/09: Jane’s Defense Review reports that Russia has placed a 5-year contract for SU-34 fighter/bombers. Subsequent quotes by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin place the contract at 32 jets for about RUB 40 billion (about $1.3 billion).
April 24/08: Moscow News Weekly carries an analysis of the SU-34 and its acquisition plans by Ilya Kramnik of RIA Novosti:
“The Su-34 will replace the Su-24M aircraft (about 400 planes), the Su-24MR surveillance aircraft (over 100 planes), and the MiG-25RB aircraft (about 70). Russia will have to produce between 550 and 600 Su-34s to replace these obsolete aircraft within 10-15 years. However, the Defense Ministry plans to buy only about 58 [SU-34s] by 2015, and a total of 300 by 2022.
Many experts say that if the Su-24 and MiG-25RB aircraft are scrapped by 2020, Russia will be left without fighter-bombers and surveillance aircraft. Others argue that this number will be enough for the Air Force’s new concept.
The concept is focused not so much on the combat characteristics of the Su-34, as on its long range, the ability to refuel in the air (including by other Su-34 aircraft with additional fuel tanks under their wings), and its comfortable cabin…. Units armed with such aircraft can be used in the so-called pendulum operations, when an Air Force unit bombs a terrorist base in Central Asia today, delivers a strike at a missile base in Europe the next day, and three days later flies to the Indian Ocean to support a combined group of the Northern, Pacific and Black Sea fleets, with flights from a base in Russia.
....This is not a new concept. Elite units of top-class aircraft manned by superbly trained crews formed the core of the German air force during World War II, and Japan’s Imperial Navy had a similar concept. However, such elite units can be quickly weeded out by swarms of ordinary aircraft in a global war of attrition, such as World War II. From this viewpoint, Russia’s new concept looks vulnerable, but then this country has the nuclear triad for a global war.”
Jan 9/08: Sukhoi announces that Russia has started full-scale production of the Su-34 Fullback fighter bomber, and a company spokesman said that up to 20 fighters could now be assembled simultaneously at the Novosibirsk Aviation Production Association (NAPO). He did not specify how many would be built each year. This RIA Novosti report places the price of the plane at $36 million, but real clarity on that front is unlikely until the aircraft wins an export competition. RIA Novosti report | Kommersant report.
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Dec 25/07: SU-24 – Merry Christmas from NAPO. RIA Novosti reports that the firm has completed the delivery of 4 upgraded swing-wing Su-24M2 Fencer tactical bombers to an Air Force regiment based in Russia’s Far East. Another 6 Su-24s are currently being modernized at the same plant, and another 2 modernized aircraft were deployed earlier in December with the Lipetsk pilot combat training center in central Russia.
The pace and success of these modernizations are likely to affect SU-34 Fullback deployment plans, and urgency.
Dec 18/07: RIA Sibir relays a notice from Sukhoi’s press service that NAPO will obtain 43 high-performance processing centers for EUR 50 million, in order to help modernize aircraft production.
NAPO makes Su-34 fighter-bombers, overhauls and upgrades Su-24M fighter-bombers, carries out preparations for the manufacture of Russian regional aircraft Sukhoi Superjet-100, and participates in the program of Sukhoi Holding on the development of a 5th generation fighter.
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Dec 27/06: A Sukhoi release adds clarity to the SU-34’s production schedule:
“The Sukhoi Aircraft Holding Company, in conjunction with the Russian Air Force, has started the second phase of the official tests of the Su-34 attack aircraft.
The three-year phase will include tests of the aircraft armed with new kinds of armament that the domestic defense industry is offering to further enhance the capabilities of the new aircraft. The first phase of the official tests was successfully completed in October [2006]. As a result Sukhoi has received go ahead to launch series production of the Su-34s at the Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Association (NAPO) and start deliveries of the new aircraft to the Air Force.
The first Su-34s have been handed over to the Russian Air Force this month [December 2006]. By 2010, under a three-year government contract, will build and supply the Russian Air Force with 18 Su-34s. Later, plans to manufacture 8 to 10 Su-34 aircraft a year.”
Oct 10/06: Pravda’s tabloid version Fun Reports runs an amusing story that explains a multi-month delay to the program. The saga reportedly began when the Ulianovskoe Designing Bureau of Device Construction received an order from Novosibirsk aviation workers, who needed a control assembly part. The part took 3 months to make, and 2 designers were supposed to deliver the EUR 30,000 shipment to Novosibirsk.
When his colleague fell ill, Pavel Pahomov was sent on the train from Volgograd to Ulan-Ude all alone, with an ordinary looking cardboard box designed to hide the contents. Unfortunately, Pahomov accepted drinks from his comrades on the train. A missed train in Ufa, a high-speed taxi ride, and more than 24 celebratory hours later, he returned to his seat and found the box missing. Pavel called the Russian Federal Security service, and claimed he had been set up American spies. It turned out that a train stewardess decided to clean up, and threw the box of “refuse” (with a false bottom) in the furnace. Yuriy Butov, the director’s assistant for supplying Chkalov’s Aviation Factory in Novosibirsk :
“Without this part the bombardment aircraft SU-34’s serial production cannot be launched. And we have a pending order for 24 planes. That is one billion Euros! Now the Designing Bureau is desperately trying to construct the part but they need another two months to complete it. We are facing serious financial losses.”
Sept 1/06: RIA Novosti reports that Army General Vladimir Mikhailov, commander of the Russian Air Force, has said that they would receive the first batch of Sukhoi Su-34 Fullback fighter-bombers by late 2006.
2004: Chkalov Aircraft Production Association in Novosibirsk, which produces the planes, had produced a development batch of 8 Su-32 aeroplanes. Source.
June 2003: The plane successfully completes the first stage of Russian government testing. Source
1997: GlobalSecurity: “The development was decelerated [for Sukhoi] to concentrate itself in the development of the Indian Su-30 and the Su-27 acquired by China.”
June 1995: The aircraft is renamed the Su-32 according to Sukhoi (though many “SU-34” references will persist), and the aeroplane is shown abroad at the 1995 Le Bourget air show in Paris. Source
Dec 18/93: The first pre-production T-10V is built and makes its first flight, piloted by the design bureau’s test pilots I.V. Votintsev and Ye.G. Revunov. [Source] This plane reportedly adopts “the Su-35 wing with additional stations, enlarged internal fuel tanks, enlarged spine and lengthened tail stinger, the production reinforced centre section design, and the representative production configuration of the tandem dual wheel main undercarriage” [Source].
April 13/90: The T10V-1’s test aircraft’s first flight is performed by the design bureau’s test pilot A.A. Ivanov. Source
1989-90: The first prototype T10V-1 is built on the platform of the production Su-27UB. Source
May 1988: the plane’s conceptual design is presented for critical design review. In addition to the conventional Su-27UB-style cockpit configuration, with the pilots seated one behind the other, an alternative option of a “side by side” pilot-seating arrangement is discussed – and later adopted. The cockpit overhead space created behind the side-by-side seats allows the pilot to stand up, with the crew boarding the plane using an inbuilt ladder through the bay in the nosewheel landing gear unit and the service hatch in the back wall of the cockpit. Source
June 19/86: Work to produce a two-seat fighter-bomber version of the SU-27 officially begins, initiated by a decree of the government. The Sukhoi Design Bureau assigns the new plane the manufacturer’s designation T-10V. Source
- Sukhoi – SU-32. The firm has also referred to the aircraft as “Su-34” in its releases.
- Air Force Technology – Su-34 (Su 27IB) Flanker Fighter Bomber Aircraft, Russia
- Australian Air Power – Sukhoi Su-32/Su-34 Fullback: Russia’s New Heavy Strike Fighter “In comparing the basic Su-32/34 airframe against Western types, the design with 12.1 tonnes (26.7 klb) of internal fuel sits in between the Boeing F-15E and F-111 in combat radius and weapon payload capabilities. It will provide at lower gross weights lower agility than the F-15E, but higher agility than the F-111. Its top end supersonic performance is inferior to both US types….”
- GlobalSecurity – Su-34 (Su-27IB)
- RIA Novosti (Jan 9/07) – Russian defense industry still faces problems. Points out, inter alia, that: “The management of the Novosibirsk Aircraft Plant had promised to supply six, rather than two, Su-34 bombers in late 2006.” Other items in the report are also highly relevant to the larger rearmament picture, including production difficulties, paper factories, and insolvency levels within the industry.
- Air Force Technology – Su-24M Fencer Front-Line Bomber, Russia. The SU-24’s swing-wing predecessor, which has some similarities to the American F-111. Also called “Chemodahn” by Russian crews. The word means “suitcase,” and refers to the aircraft’s boxy shape and slab sides.
