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.

Fresh Video
HELLDUCK



Reposting this one in case you missed it
SOMEWHERE ON A GALAXY FAR FAR AWAY
Make sure you have your speakers on

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"

The Su-30, which is essentially a Su-27UB two seat Su-27, was envisiaged for various roles including as a strike platform, but the PVO actually had Su-30Ms on the books as interceptor aircraft, where one crewman could focus on the radar while the other crewman flew the plane.

This led to the idea of the two seater with a larger nose and therefore radar than the MiG-29 becoming a mobile PVO van where the radar and the ground controller was in the back seat of the aircraft and they would lead a group of smaller aircraft using their superior radar to find targets for the smaller aircraft to engage.

It was very much a sense of using the aircraft as a Mini AWACS platform... it lacked the 360 degree radar view but was armed and as fast as the fighters so it could move around the battlefield with the other aircraft who could remain radar silent.

In that sense the idea of an interceptor Su-34 makes sense... it redesign gives a lower flight speed, but rather more fuel and endurance and the ability to carry a very heavy weapon load.

It mentions in that article that it is compatible with new and future AAMs of a long range nature... perhaps hinting at the use of not only R-37M, but also item 810, and perhaps even a scramjet powered AAM based on the R-77 or R-37 or item 810 even.

Its long range an endurance would make it useful in big empty areas like Siberia... and Canada and Australia, and its large radar would also be useful for interception too, but even a scramjet powered Kh-31 replacement would be interesting in an air to air as well as air to ship and air to radar models...

S-70 drones have long flight ranges and could operate with Su-34s as missile trucks or inflight refueling tankers... perhaps in non stealth configuration with maybe four external fuel tanks to boost capacity for fuel transfer...

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.

Arkanghelsk wrote:

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 ?

4. Τhey are of new construction (modernized version) not old ones upgraded

bmpd's comment.Thus, we are talking about the delivery in June 2022, presumably, of four Su-34M front-line bombers of the new construction of the Novosibirsk Aviation Plant named after V.P. Chkalov (NAZ named after V.P. Chkalov) - a branch of Sukhoi Company PJSC as part of the 277th Bomber Aviation Regiment of the 303rd Mixed Aviation Division 11- th Red Banner Army of the Air Force and Air Defense of the Eastern Military District.

These are the first Su-34 aircraft built by NAZ in 2022 and received this year by the Russian Aerospace Forces. Flying flights of these new aircraft (without tail numbers) have been observed in Novosibirsk since March 2022.

Presumably, this is the second batch of Su-34M aircraft (from fifth to eighth) built by NAZ under a new three -year contract concluded in June 2020 by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation with PJSC United Aircraft Corporation (PJSC UAC) for the construction of 24 modernized Su bombers -34M. Apparently, the built aircraft have serial numbers from 12-05 to 12-08.With the delivery of these aircraft, the total number of Su-34s built is 147 units, including seven experimental and pre-production aircraft.

The first four Su-34M aircraft under this contract were manufactured by NAZ in 2021 and transferred to the 277th Bomber Aviation Regiment in Khurba in November 2021.

Earlier, the 277th Bomber Aviation Regiment in Khurba received 26 Su-34 aircraft in 2016-2017, with which two squadrons of the regiment were equipped (two of these Su-34s were lost in a collision on January 18, 2019 over the Tatar Strait). The third squadron of the regiment retained the Su-24M2 front-line bombers, transferred to it during rearmament from two other squadrons. As you can understand, the Su-34M is now entering service with the third squadron to replace the Su-24M2, and, apparently, the process of completely re-equipping the 277th regiment with Su-34 aircraft is underway. Su-34 bombers of the 277th Bomber Aviation Regiment take part in a special military operation in Ukraine.

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/4550723.html

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.

additional contract for new or upgraded Su-34s? anyone has any more info?

https://tass.com/defense/1494401

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.